[Submariner409]

Most readers of the Seville/Deville and N* threads know that I am a Skeptic and not usually swayed by claims of snake oil and magic potions for your engines. While reading GM and gasoline refiners' websites, I saw several (editorial) links between Chevron's Techron additive and GM fuel recommendations. Seems that Chevron, Shell, Texaco, and a midwest fuel marketer are using the additive to produce a "top tier" fuel in all 3 pump octanes. Curiously, GM specifically recommends the stuff for their engines. SOOOOO....I searched the ol' Google and landed in ....www.AutoBarn.com.....a Long Island car parts/accessories chain, AFTER finding out that 20 oz. (a 1 tank treatment) of TECHRON would set me back $13 +tax locally. AutoBarn sells it by the 12 case for $8 a jug, a little over 33% less. Bit the bullet and ordered a case, literally overnight UPS for the mid-east coast. Bottom line: the stuff works. One jug in a tank every 3,000 miles recommended. After a 450+ mile trip in my '02 STS to Norfolk, VA and back, the car idles smoother and I picked up about .4 mpg for the trip. That's with 1 jug in non-branded gas from Shadetree Motors, LLC in HooBoojie, VA. If you run one of the recommended fuels after initial cleaning, I guess you can use the leftovers to weight down your trunk in the event you can't find Chevron/Shell/Texaco with the logo on the pump. Just a suggestion.......Read up on Chevron, Techron, fuel additives, etc. (Yes, it will take a very long time to amortize the cost of a case of Techron, same as other performance "mods".........) I'll run some through the truck and the Olds 455 in my boat and see if I get the same general results. The spark plugs are easier to pull in the boat....!

 

[RunningOnEMT]

i've always used techron in any car...

we dont have very many chevron's in our area but most gas stations sell bottles of techron around here...

i add a bottle every 4th or 5th fillup...

 

[dkozloski]

Years ago Ford got nailed by the Feds for faking emissions system durability testing. A while later while watching a financial program on cable TV the host asked a Ford executive what they were doing about it. He replied, "Now we're doing the same as GM and we're doing all our testing with Chevron gasoline".

 

[CIWS]

I alternate between Chevron and Shell Premium gas about every 7000 miles on the odometer.

 

[dwight.j.carter]

I use quik trip gas but I am going to try out the techron next time I fill up.

 

[Submariner409]

:highfive: ...........moving this next to AJ's post..........the stuff works.......It is NOT an every-fillup-thing.

 

[EDBSO]

Yes it works, RedLine also works as well and costs less.

 

[GM-4-LIFE]

I have been using nothing but Chevron for the last six months or so, but before that, I used Mobil for about 10 years. The reason for the switch was that I got pissed off because ExxonMobil was making enormous amounts of money and they were the main cause for our high gas prices. I didn't want to give ExxonMobil any more of my money. If everyone else did that, they would think twice before raping us.

So far, I can't tell the difference in mileage or performance between Chevron and Mobil, but if GM and all other automakers recommend it, I guess I will continue to use it and hope that I am getting the best cleaning additive on the market.

I would NEVER ever use Shell. Their additive leaves a bright orange clogging mess on spark plugs and catalytic converters.

By the way, where is the info on the web regarding the Techron and GM? A link would be great!

SG

 

[Submariner409]

I got some of the info from alldatadiy.com, as part of a TSB. It's a single vehicle subscription service, but has tons of info on everything concerning YOUR car. The rest comes from Google and Yahoo searches for "Chevron" and "TECHRON". BTW, one of Shell's additives is TECHRON, which is why GM recommends it as a top tier fuel. Under contract agreement, if an oil company wants to use Chevron's additive, they must so label the pump. Look for the TECHRON logo.

 

[dkozloski]

As far as I know there are only three fuel additives that work. Techron cleans fuel and intake systems, TCP clears lead deposits from aircraft sparkplugs, and Prist reduces algae and fuel line freezeups. The rest either do nothing or more harm than good.

 

[V-Eight]

I'll have to try this.

 

[gdwriter]

Thanks for tip, Jim. I've also read that Techron works. I generally put a bottle in around the same time I have the oil changed; easier to remember that way.

I have mostly bought gas at Costco, especially when I was putting premium in my '91 DeVille. But my membership expired, and I think it would take a while to recoup the $50 membership fee, since the price difference for regular is generally less than 10 cents a gallon (living by myself, I rarely need the bulk quantities of things in the store).

I've been buying gas at Safeway in Salem and Corvallis since I get a 3 cent discount with my Safeway Club card. But the main gas station in Independence is a Chevron, and I get gas there fairly often.

 

[Submariner409]

Heck of a way to bump a two year old thread (look at the date on post #10), but I still mess with Techron fuels and the additive itself. I have not, as in the Shell commercial, taken an engine apart at 5,000 mile intervals to look at intake valve deposits, but then again, I have had no reason to. The truck and car run happily on 87 octane Shell, Texaco, or Chevron without a hiccup and return good gas mileage. Why screw with a good thing ?

You got HOOVER trained at 55 mph rear window ear flying ??? Super Dog. Needs a cape.

 

[gdwriter]

You got HOOVER trained at 55 mph rear window ear flying ??? Super Dog. Needs a cape.

Thanks, Jim. Hoover is a great dog and a wonderful travel companion. He has excellent hotel manners, and I think he learned the words "Rest Area" on the road trip to Des Moines two years ago. I'm really looking forward to the Chicago trip this summer.

I don't let him stick his head out the window at highway speeds. He doesn't like it and will usually paw at the window a bit when I first put it up, but he eventually settles down and accepts it.

 

[[NortHStaR]]

instead of techron I go with a quart of trans fluid in the tank of all my vehicles after a full fill up and I get the same result, slightly increased gas mileage, and an overall smoother running vehicle.

I know it may sound crazy but an old timer mechanic gave me the tip and he says it cleans the fuel rails, cleans and lubricates the injectors, lubricates the fuel pump, and quite a few other things within the fuel system.

I normally put it in like I said a after full fill up every 4 or 5 tanks and then try and get a couple WOT out of that tank.

I am interested to know if anyone around here has heard of this or actually does it as well.

 

[Submariner409]

Years ago, ATF (old transmission fluid designation) was used for everything from power steering to fuel additive. Not so much as a gas additive as a diesel fuel additive, especially when diesel fuels began to go "low sulphur".

Today, the practice is redundant. Modern gasolines, particularly the "top tier" offerings, have more than enough additives right out of the pump than is really necessary.

I used to run 8 oz. of ATF in my 1965 Chevelle 327/350 at each tankful: It was cheaper than Marvel Mystery Oil.

I wouldn't run a quart (32 oz.) of DEXRON-III in a tank - I'd prefer to run 8 oz. every tank, on a fill up from 1/4 tank.

 

[LuLou]

As far as I know there are only three fuel additives that work. Techron cleans fuel and intake systems, TCP clears lead deposits from aircraft sparkplugs, and Prist reduces algae and fuel line freezeups. The rest either do nothing or more harm than good.

I do beg to differ. I have been fleet manager for a company that has ran Chev. Astro vans since the late 80's and every one I have gotten about 300K miles out of w/out rebuild. Techron is THE #1 fuel system cleaner-tuner(I even use it in my SeaRay3.0L(Merc. factory Specifically recommends!!)) do not forget the trusty quart of tranny fluid:stirpot::stirpot: for a good engine flush.
You are SO Right about how many are garbage and a waste of $$ though.

 

[whereto]

For the past 20 years before going thru emissions here in AZ,I go to my friendly little hardware store and buy a pint of De-natured Alcohol,pour it into a full tank.My 83' Touring Coupe with 146,000 has yet to fail inspection.Hydrocarbons are practically zernly side affects is I smell like a "AA"fuel dragster for a couple of weeks.

 

[Submariner409]

If you go back in this thread and put the three gasoline additive ideas presented in order,

TECHRON is a CHEVRON-developed gasoline additive designed to clean and remove intake port, valve and piston crown deposits.

ATF or transmission hydraulic fluid is a top cylinder lubricant substitute. In an incomplete combustion situation it will actually increase deposits (Kind of like burning a quart of 10W oil with each 3 - 4 tanks of gas.).

Alcohol (Ethanol or Isopropyl, NOT Methanol, which is extremely solvent and attacks rubber and plastic) is a slight octane booster and has no combustion chamber cleaning properties in the percentages normally used in gasolines. Ethanols will loosen fuel tank and line deposits and carry them to the fuel pump and filter. Boaters are well aware of the nightmares caused by ethanol because boat gas tends to sit for months between uses.

 

[V-Eight]

Where can I get Techron in Canada?