How often can I use fuel additives on my car?

15

Asked by 04SubaruForesterXS Aug 06, 2020 at 11:43 PM about the 2004 Subaru Forester XS

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I own an ‘04 Subaru Forester. I just need to know how often, and what fuel
additives I should use in my car. I’ve heard horror stories of the additives
ruining the fuel system, and would very much like to avoid doing that to my
car.

Thanks in advance!

6 Answers

735

Why would you use an additive ? Today's gas has everything your car needs already in it .Dont waste your money on additives . If it makes you feel better once a year put a bottle of fuel system cleaner in to help clean out any accumulated junk in injectors and lines . All of the fuel system cleaners are the same so no product recommendations just get a name brand.

48,660

It's more important to keep the detritus swilling up the bottom of your tank from getting sucked up. So NEVER drive a dinosaur below 1/4 tank!

What do you use? Some are safe and some are junk or worse. An occasional dose of Techron is all I would use.

15

I commonly used STP branded (as it is sold at Kwik Trip's here) and I last used the fuel injector & carburetor cleaner, about 6k miles ago (car is at 205k now). I'll for sure use Techron in small doses.

Use Techron at the recommended dose if you want it to work. You could use it once or twice a year depending on how much you drive.

48,660

Techron is indeed more effective as it's concentrated solvents instead of cheap filler. That's why STP et al decided to offer higher concentrations at double the price years ago. Fuels have detergents in them now so I very rarely chase an issue requiring an additive. I really think keeping fuel level above 1/4 tank is the most important precaution with older vehicles.

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