Hello Scotty and others!
These days I had my 2 years old Toyota Auris serviced at the dealer (that is condition where I live in Europe, otherwise the warranty is void).
As a preventive maintenance (recommended by Toyota) they also sold me Toyota petrol fuel system cleaner for possibly bad fuel qualitiy.
Does anyone have any experience with these cleaners? Does it really improve fuel economy, emissions ... or is it just BS Toyota sells it. My car has 1.3L naturally aspirated engine.
Interesting fact is this year we are going to pay road tax based on emissions and not anymore based on engine size.
Thanks in advance.
More 'bells and whistles' about that product:
https://www.toyota-europe.com/service-and-accessories/genuine-parts/fuel-system-cleaner
Toyota the company (not Toyota dealers), may say it is part of basic maintenance, using some sort of fuel system cleaner if and only if you live in tropical or humid regions.
It is not usually part of basic maintenance in the continental United States or Europe, TMK. It’s usually dealer BS in these circumstances.
Like others have said, you could get a bottle of Techron and do it yourself if you feel you needed to.
You really do not need it for a 2 years old Toyota unless you have bad fuel economy.
Also, Toyota does not make these fluids and if you really want to try something, get a Chevron Techron fuel additive (Which has PEA in it) and try to fill up the tank with high octane gas when you use the product.
Dealership BS.
which part of Europe is this?
It doesn't say on Toyota's website that it has to be serviced at a dealer
https://www.toyota-europe.com/service-and-accessories/warranty-and-assistance/warranty
It would be illegal for Toyota to make their warranty depend on such a condition within the EU, according to Block Exemption regulation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_Exemption_Regulation
"Prior to 2003 automobile owners in the EU region risk nullifying their vehicle warranty when the vehicles were serviced or repaired in workshops not belonging to the vehicle manufacturer or its dealers. This barrier was broken in October 2003, when the European Commission (EC) passed a law allowing vehicle owners the freedom of having their servicing and repairs done at their chosen workshop"
Thank you for your help. I was according to the service manual I had gotten with the car.
Toyota is printing lies
I used Toyota's cleaner when I first bought my 17 year old Lexus IS220D diesel. Fuel mileage improved from 35MPG where the previous owner(s) only did city driving and left it sitting, and it had carboned up to 51 MPG.
Having said that, I did nothing by highway miles for a year. 5000 of them in total. The 51 MPG was combined highway and city.
I also suspect the fuel filter was never replaced, and in hindsight I should have done that first.
