Hello everyone,
Dose this thing really work ? Or is it better to use the money on buying a premium gas instead of the regular 87 ? If it works, how often I need to use it ?
STP Super Concentrated Fuel Injector Cleaner, 5.25 fl oz
Shell and Chevron premium fuels have a higher concentration of their proprietary additive.
If the gas brands in your area do not advertise a higher additive dose with their premium fuel, the premium fuel probably would not make any difference over the 87 octane.
I do not have experience with STP, however I have used Chevron's Techron fuel system cleaner with good results.
"Shell and Chevron premium fuels have a higher concentration"
Do you have evidence of this?
I'm really glad you asked that question. I'm remembering their advertising from years ago, so here's what I've found so far:
Shell: This is from 2015:
https://thediazdifference.com/shell-v-power-all-gasolines-are-not-the-same/
Shell regular and mid-grade gasolines contain more than twice the amount of detergents required by the EPA. This level of protection helps prevent the future build-up of carbon deposits on your vehicle’s intake valves or fuel injectors. However, if you use discount gasolines, you may already have intake valve or fuel injector deposits, which may need to be cleaned up.
That is where Shell V-Power® comes in. Shell V-Power®. Actively cleans as you drive. Shell V-Power®, our new premium gasoline, is the most highly formulated gasoline we’ve ever developed. With more than five times the minimum amount of cleaning agents required by government standards it actively cleans your engine’s intake valves as you drive. It’s now at Shell. With continued use, Shell V-Power helps remove carbon deposits and protect your engine from future deposits. Shell V-Power is also recommended for vehicles that can benefit from higher octane (check your owners manual for the octane level recommended for your vehicle).
Shell 2021 (they've changed their premium formula again):
https://www.shell.us/motorist/shell-fuels/shell-v-power-nitro-plus-premium-gasoline.html
Shell V-Power® NiTRO+ has seven times the cleaning agents required to meet federal standards and removes an average of 70% of baked-in deposits left by lower-quality premium gasoline, starting with the very first tank. Shell V-Power® NiTRO+ provides unsurpassed protection against gunk to help improve engine performance.
Chevron (this is to prove I'm not the only one who read it on their site):
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-much-techron-is-in-chevron-pump-gas.229632/
Some of your questions can be answered by the Chevron Techron Q&A: http://www.techron.com/what-is-techron/questions-answers.aspx As for the levels of techron in their gas, I remember reading on the Chevron website that they put more techron in their ultra than they do in the regular and middle gasses. They didn't state the levels, but I remember them saying something like all levels exceed the minimum requirements for gas to be sold in the US. I'm sure if you search their website you can find the info they used to have on their.
The current website does not list it, however I have a call into their technical department inquiring about the levels of additive. I'm thinking they've also changed their formulation.
The first paragraph is not evidence. Diaz is marketing company (liars). The second link is Shell tooting their own horn.
The third link is a forum post (must be true, right?). No data in sight.
The last link doesn't work, but it's Chevron's website, so it's Chevron tooting THEIR horn.
As a retail consumer I do look for statements like this. It is marketing, no question about it. So if we follow that line of logic, everyone is tooting their own horn for marketing reasons. Top Tier, other gasoline companies etc. What do you believe about these claims? Are they real? Are they worth it? Or should they just be ignored and taken with a grain of salt?
Seriously, no gasolines are better than any others? How can we tell? How do you know what is fact from fiction? It you know, fantastic. Let me in on the secret. I'm on this forum to learn as much as possible.
what do I believe about those claims? None of it.
I believe SOME independent testing and hard data.
Scotty has stated many times that gas companies are really greasy about what they put in the gas.
Fact: gasoline is federally regulated. You can gas up at any gas station your whole life and be fine.
There is SOME evidence to suggest that gas from "top tier" distributors might have some long term benefits . I have seen ONE unconfirmed study by the AAA. This was already discussed before.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/does-top-tier-gas-really-make-a-difference/
I personally take gas anywhgere. I don't go out of my way for any particular gas station. All of the ones near me are the big names anyway (Shell, Chevron, Esso, etc.). That means I get a good variety of whatever they're using, at least once in a while. I have never had issues with fouled up fuel injectors. If I get gas that has a little bit less detergents in it once in a while, it's not the end of the world.
Now I understand where you are coming from, and thanks for your explanation (and Scotty's video).
I have to say, the youtube video Shell V-Power NiTRO+ vs Cheap Gasoline. Is it better? Let's find out! did 'sell me' on the VPower vs regular gas used in the comparison.
I'm going to continue to research this and see what evidence I can find.
what do you need it for?
Your question is not a new one. Please use the search box on the right side to see our answers.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/fuel-additive-regularly/
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/high-octane-gas-and-injector-cleaner-as-part-of-routine-maintenance/
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/fuel-system-cleaner/
May I ask what car you have, how many miles etc? Why are you wanting to use fuel system cleaner, are you experiencing any issues?
It cost a lot more to buy premium gas than it does to get a good bottle of gas cleaner, like royal purple, red line, amsoil, or even gumout every now and then.
