Okay, maybe there's something to this detergent thing?!?

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

Ok, I'm going to fess up and put it out there:

I've always been a "all gas is the same" kind of guy.

There, I said it. But wait, there's some Paul Harvey here! So, I've seen the "geek" tell us all about the detergents and the oil and all that. But it's likely my age as much as anything, that has contributed to my recent consideration of alternative ideas that might help make my vehicle last longer and be less troublesome in its aging process. So on my last fill up from near the bottom of the tank, I included one bottle of Techron. Keep in mind, that my Mav is less than a year old and still fairly low on the clock so this was entirely a preventative choice.

Well, Holy Internal Combustion, Batman! This little 4 banger is running smoother and quieter than it did the day I drove it home! I would NEVER have expected this, especially in what could still in many respects could be considered a new vehicle. I have been so blown away by this on each outing since the fill up that I'm seriously considering those Top Tier stations even though I know I'll pay more for the gas.

So this is not a commercial. If you already were a believer, this is old hat for you. If you think it's a scam, that's okay, it's no skin off my teeth. I'm just sharing this crazy thing that makes me rethink the idea of not being able to teach an old dog new tricks.

Sponsored

 

[Backin15]

Curious how many miles are on your truck and if you have been running top tier gas?

 

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

Curious how many miles are on your truck and if you have been running top tier gas?

I'm only at about 3000 miles and I've only been running the cheap stuff. I was just so surprised at the difference this made almost immediately.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

The 2.0L EcoBoost is a Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine. While GDI offers great power and efficiency, it comes with a specific set of "hygiene" requirements that Top Tier fuel helps address.

Top Tier gas contains significantly higher concentrations of detergents that keep the fuel injectors and the combustion chamber cleaner. This prevents "hot spots" that lead to efficiency loss.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Nothing “alternative” about Top Tier fuels. Use them, and your engine will thank you. To save money, you can get by with 87 octane if you’re just puttering around and not concerned with having max power. No need for additives.

 

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

The 2.0L EcoBoost is a Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine. While GDI offers great power and efficiency, it comes with a specific set of "hygiene" requirements that Top Tier fuel helps address.

Top Tier gas contains significantly higher concentrations of detergents that keep the fuel injectors and the combustion chamber cleaner. This prevents "hot spots" that lead to efficiency loss.

Ok, I knew that things had changed since I took Auto Mechanics in high school because, well, that has been a while but I guess maybe I missed some things along the way!

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Ok, I knew that things had changed since I took Auto Mechanics in high school because, well, that has been a while but I guess maybe I missed some things along the way!

It's been a long journey buddy

 

[Bob The Builder]

Not a good idea at all, ever, to run low tier panther piss gas in a turbo engine. Save it for your one lung hit and miss engines.

 

[Gid]

I drive a 25 lariat hybrid with 13k on it, fill up at Costco most of the time, and dump in a bottle of techron in the tank every 5k. The Costco fuel (I've read) is top tier, but it's only 85 octane. My trucklet runs fine. but I drive like an old man and probably wouldn't notice if it lagged a little. In terms of fuel system, am I treating my Maverick okay?

 

[Carlitos_92]

I drive a 25 lariat hybrid with 13k on it, fill up at Costco most of the time, and dump in a bottle of techron in the tank every 5k. The Costco fuel (I've read) is top tier, but it's only 85 octane. My trucklet runs fine. but I drive like an old man and probably wouldn't notice if it lagged a little. In terms of fuel system, am I treating my Maverick okay?

This is what the manual says:

Ford doesn't distinguish between the hybrid and the Ecoboost, but personally I think you are probably fine at elevation in a hybrid since it is not turbocharged. Up to you if you think it is a risk; maybe others at >5,000' will chime in.

The Techron is probably overkill if you are using mainly Costco/Top Tier fuel, but it won't hurt anything.

 

[DaddyDan]

This is what the manual says:

Ford doesn't distinguish between the hybrid and the Ecoboost, but personally I think you are probably fine at elevation in a hybrid since it is not turbocharged. Up to you if you think it is a risk; maybe others at >5,000' will chime in.

The Techron is probably overkill if you are using mainly Costco/Top Tier fuel, but it won't hurt anything.

I live at altitude and I am aware that the reason for having 85 octane fuel is that at higher altitude the 85 is the equivalent of 87. However Ford's wording in the manual is so dire and to the point I decided to not run the cheap stuff and go with at least midgrade which is 88 octane in our neck of the woods.

Because the Maverick is capable of running it I've been experimenting with Eco 88 (15% ethanol and 88 octane). So far so good although I know high ethanol fuels have an impact on fuel economy, hard to tell right now with the cold weather that kills your fuel economy in the first place.

 

[Cherokee]

Op, you got an Ecoboost I see, like me.
Try Three tanks of real gas not corn fuel.
Three tanks will start getting your fuel system used to non ethanol. Your turbo will love it.

Most will try one tank and feel no difference. Most fill up with one quarter ethanol fuel still in the tank.
Again three or four fill ups gets the ethanol out and gives the fuel system time to learn what it’s being fed.

In the dead of winter with its thick air I run 87 octane BP cheap shit.

Spring Summer and Fall
93 octane NON Ethanol.
I swear I have a smoother more responsive engine giving me about 1.5 mpg more.
I’m at 13,500 miles on my 2024

Sure it cost more, But I try and not forget,
You get what you pay for in this world.

My turbo does not like the slower flame propagation of ethanol one bit. It tolerates it just fine but shines when I feed it real gas.
Think of it Thustly :
Non ethanol goes bang and is gone !
85-90% of Ethanol fuel goes bang and the rest then burns.
It seems like I get a 10% bigger bang with non ethanol.

I doubt anyone would notice any difference in any small NON Turbo engine.

I know I make no sense, ignore me.
I know nothing so go on and pore additives in your gas if you like.

But !
It does say in the owners manual not to use fuel or oil additives for a reason.

Corn on the cob is great !
Corn in my gas tank sucks.

 

[DaddyDan]

Op, you got an Ecoboost I see, like me.
Try Three tanks of real gas not corn fuel.
Three tanks will start getting your fuel system used to non ethanol. Your turbo will love it.

Most will try one tank and feel no difference. Most fill up with one quarter ethanol still in the tank.
Again three or four fill ups gets the ethanol out and gives the fuel system time to learn what it’s being fed.

In the dead of winter with its thick air I run 87 octane BP cheap shit.

Spring Summer and Fall
93 octane NON Ethanol.
I swear I have a smoother more responsive engine giving me about 1.5 mpg more.
I’m at 13,500 miles on my 2024

Sure it cost more, But I try and not forget,
You get what you pay for in this world.

My turbo does not like the slower flame propagation of ethanol one bit. It tolerates it just fine but shines when I feed it real gas.
Think of it Thustly :
Non ethanol goes bang and is gone !
85-90% of Ethanol fuel goes bang and the rest then burns.
It feels like I get a 10% bigger bang.

I doubt anyone would notice any difference in any small NON Turbo engine.

I know I make no sense, ignore me.
I know nothing so go on and pore additives in your gas if you like.

But !
It does say in the owners manual not to use and fuel or oil additives for a reason.

True Gas is not an option for everyone but a nice option when you have it. If were to go to one of those websites that track where "real gas" is available it will show me that there's nothing within 100 miles plus.

I do believe that ethanol is welfare for the farmers.

Yes you get worse fuel economy on ethanol, especially E85 for vehicles that can handle it. My dad has an old Chevy Avalanche with flex fuel capability. I told him because of the fuel economy difference it made no sense to fill up with E85 unless it was at least 20% cheaper than regular 87 (10% ethanol)

 

[Deleted User 24227]

Ok, I'm going to fess up and put it out there:

I've always been a "all gas is the same" kind of guy.

There, I said it. But wait, there's some Paul Harvey here! So, I've seen the "geek" tell us all about the detergents and the oil and all that. But it's likely my age as much as anything, that has contributed to my recent consideration of alternative ideas that might help make my vehicle last longer and be less troublesome in its aging process. So on my last fill up from near the bottom of the tank, I included one bottle of Techron. Keep in mind, that my Mav is less than a year old and still fairly low on the clock so this was entirely a preventative choice.

Well, Holy Internal Combustion, Batman! This little 4 banger is running smoother and quieter than it did the day I drove it home! I would NEVER have expected this, especially in what could still in many respects could be considered a new vehicle. I have been so blown away by this on each outing since the fill up that I'm seriously considering those Top Tier stations even though I know I'll pay more for the gas.

So this is not a commercial. If you already were a believer, this is old hat for you. If you think it's a scam, that's okay, it's no skin off my teeth. I'm just sharing this crazy thing that makes me rethink the idea of not being able to teach an old dog new tricks.

The late great Paul Harvey. One of many classics.

 

[TheSEARCH]

Have there been any REAL tests that show either an additive makes any REAL difference or high cost fuel. does? I would like to see a link to such a independent test. Not it FEELS to me its better after I did this or that.

Sorry but there is that placebo effect.

Sponsored