Just wondering who wants to chime in with their opinions on this much argued topic. Does anyone use/suggest oil or fuel additives?

Examples:

• zMAX
• prolong
• ProTecta

I used zMax in my 130k-miles BMW 325i (traded car in on my MINI!). I swore by zMax... not just because of its added lubrication, but how it chemically breaks down carbon buildup, which comes out on your next oil change.

I've recently purchased ProTecta to test based upon their [font=Arial]ASTM-D-2783 [/font] results. Why? because zMax eventually *soaks* into the metal, which continues to protect engine parts (and prevent corrossion), but I want continued protection against extreme pressure loading (at high RPMs). Also added lubrication to upper head and valves which oil can "run away" from.

I'll try to perform an unbiased review of their product; using MPG and perhaps OBC-dyno testing (on z3bum's Treo) in my daily-driver. Currently I'm averaging 400 miles per 12.5gal fillup. 420 miles on the same 12.5gal would represent a 5% improvement (if I stick to my driving habits).

--Chris

 

Moving this thread from Off Topic to Beneath the Bonnet.

 

If you are using a quality syn-oil (Redline,Amsoil,Royal Purple,Mobil 1) an oil additive is a waste of money. zMax, nor any other additive "soaks" into the metal. Thats just marketing BS.
I do use an additive to the fuel, not as an octane booster but, to keep the injectors clean. I prefer Redline S-1.

 

I also put some Redline SL-1 in from time to time to keep those injectors clean.

 

I agree, nothing beats a good sysnthetic oil. I've used Techtron, a Chevron product, for deposit removal with success. I've been told that this product is extremely 'drying', however. I cannot speak for other products, but Techtron should only be used once between each oil change - it dilutes the oil. So, I prefer to use this product in my last tank full before an oil change.

 

I use Mobile 1, 5-30 in the crankcase and Redline SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner in the fuel tank.
Change oil & filter every 5,000 miles, add Redline SI-1 every fill up of 93 octane.
I would use Redline oil if someone gave it to me but it's to expensive to purchase.

 

It is very easy to make an additive that slightly lowers friction and slightly increases MPG. Just add teflon or chlorine to the oil. The only problem is that both of these are detrimental to the long-term life of the engine! Be very careful about miracle additives. Most of them have not had their results verified by independant testing, and when asked about their ingredients they will say they are "proprietary". In other words - we ain't telling!
That said, a fuel additive like BG-44K to help control engine deposits seems to be a good investment, but stay away from "miracle" oil additives.

 

I agree on oil additives. Heat and pressure cause a chemical change in dino oil, and in these "super-lube" additives, turning them into corrosives. Pure synthetic is stable and does not breakdown under heat and pressure, and has been proven time and time again to maintain its chemical and lubricative properties under conditions that even highly modified engines cannot recreate... theoretically, we could run synthetic the life of an engine, provided it were possible to manufacture and use a super filtration system capable of removing 100% of the contaminates... which isn't really possible because once you develop a filter medium capable of low micron partical capture, then oil is too thick to flow through it. So I run 100% non-additive synthetic, 5W40, and change it every 7000 miles because the air here in Naples, Italy is seriously polluted with dust and crap... otherwise, I'd follow BMW recommendations. I also have to clean my K&N every 3 months.

IMO injector cleaner should be considered as "required maitenance"... I use about every 5000 miles.

 

yeah all oil addatives are crap. Just use a hight quality synthetic and foget about it.