3 best auto fuel additives

Auto fuel additives are chemical substances that are designed to enhance the performance and efficiency of automotive fuels. These additives are mixed with gasoline or diesel fuel to improve various aspects of fuel quality, combustion, and engine operation. Here is what you should know about auto fuel additives:

Fuel Stabilization:
- Fuel additives can help stabilize fuels by preventing the formation of gum and varnish deposits in the fuel system and engine.
- They are particularly useful for preventing fuel degradation during long periods of storage, such as winter storage for recreational vehicles.
Octane Boosters:
- Some fuel additives are formulated to increase the octane rating of gasoline.
- Higher octane ratings can reduce engine knocking and pinging, allowing for more efficient and smoother combustion in high-performance and high-compression engines.
Cetane Improvers:
- Diesel fuel additives often include cetane improvers, which enhance the ignition quality of diesel fuel.
- Improved cetane levels lead to better cold starting, reduced engine noise, and improved combustion efficiency in diesel engines.
Cleaner Combustion:
- Fuel additives can clean fuel injectors, carburetors, and other fuel system components.
- They can help remove carbon deposits and prevent the buildup of harmful engine deposits, leading to improved engine performance and fuel efficiency.
Corrosion Prevention:
- Some additives contain corrosion inhibitors that protect fuel system and engine components from rust and corrosion.
- This is particularly important in vehicles that are exposed to moisture or harsh environmental conditions.
Fuel Efficiency:
- Fuel additives may improve fuel efficiency by optimizing combustion, reducing friction, and reducing engine deposits.
- The exact impact on fuel economy can vary depending on the additive and the specific vehicle.
Emissions Reduction:
- Certain fuel additives can help reduce harmful emissions from the exhaust, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
- They are especially relevant in meeting emissions standards and regulations.
Injector and Valve Cleaning:
- Some additives are designed to clean and lubricate fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers.
- Regular use can help maintain engine performance and extend the life of these components.
Anti-Knock Agents:
- In addition to raising the octane rating, fuel additives may contain anti-knock agents that reduce engine knock and improve combustion stability.
Winterization:
- Cold-weather fuel additives can prevent fuel gelling and provide protection against freezing in low temperatures.
- They are important for vehicles operating in cold climates.
Compatibility:
- It's important to choose fuel additives that are compatible with your vehicle's fuel type (gasoline or diesel) and any existing additives or treatments.
- Following the manufacturer's recommendations is crucial.
Regulatory Compliance:
- Fuel additives must comply with relevant regulations and standards to ensure they are safe and effective for use in vehicles.

In summary, auto fuel additives are chemical compounds added to gasoline or diesel fuel to improve fuel quality, combustion efficiency, and engine performance.They serve various purposes, including stabilizing fuel, increasing octane or cetane ratings, cleaning fuel system components, reducing emissions, and protecting against corrosion. Choosing the right fuel additive can help maintain your vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency while addressing specific fuel-related issues.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best auto fuel additives on the market

Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner - 20 oz.

Chevron

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner is unbeatable in cleaning the entire fuel system and restoring lost power and performance caused by deposit build-up. - Cleans deposits from fuel injectors, carburetors, ports, valves and combustion chambers- works in one tankful while you drive to reduce deposit related engine knock, ping, run-on, and cold start problems- recommended for use every 3,000 miles- 20 oz. bottle.

For best performance, follow the manufacturer's recommendations in your vehicle owner’s manual.

User questions & answers

Question:	Do people really use this every 3,000 miles? How often do you do it
Answer:	Techron has a web site and a contact number to call. Unless someone has opened up the engine block and tested how this additive performs, they are just guessing. Granted, Techron may just be trying to sell you something that you do not need, or need every 3,000 miles.
Question:	it's a real pain to open Techron bottle's seal. do you guys have any tips on opening it easily
Answer:	Don't try to peel it off. Just pierce it through the center (not at the edge) with a sharp pointed blade, like one on a little Swiss Army keychain knife. Leave the slit alone and don't try to peel any of the seal off. If you just pierce it in the center and don't try to pull off or peel any pieces it will remain intact and tightly adhere to the bottle neck and thus continue to provide an effective seal when you close the cap.
Question:	I found an old unopened bottle of the original concentrate, not the Plus. Probably 10 years old. Is it still OK to use
Answer:	Yes, its fine to use. The ingredients don't go bad for maybe 20 plus years or more
Question:	Is there any reason why after using this that I should also use Chevron's fuel injector cleaner or does this do the same thing
Answer:	Both products contain the same cleaning additive (polyetheramine), the "fuel injector cleaner" just contains slightly less (and is usually slightly cheaper) than the "fuel system cleaner".

Product features

Optimize your MPG

Every time you fill your tank, you expect to drive a certain amount of miles on it. An engine that's caked with deposits makes your engine work harder - less efficiently - every mile. So next time use Techron Concentrate Plus to help ensure maximum fuel economy.

Keep it Clean

Fact is, gasoline is a mixture of hydrocarbons including ethanol and other impurities. As it travels through your car's fuel system, harmful carbon deposits can form on critical engine parts. Techron helps remove these deposits, restoring lost power and performance.

What is Techron?

Techron is an additive technology that works to get the most out of your engine thanks to our patented fuel additive technology which is trusted by motorists, mechanics and auto manufacturers the world over. You can use Techron and when you do it will clean your engine, leading to better performance, lower emissions and maximum fuel economy.

What does it do?

Engines are designed to work at their best when they are clean and modern engines are designed to work with finer tolerances and at higher temperatures. Techron works molecule by molecule to prevent deposit formation, and in the case of deposits left behind by low quality gasoline, works to remove those deposits.

How does it work?

Techron is proven to be effective at keeping both modern and older engines clean. The result is maximum power, lower emissions and maximized fuel economy. There have been significant advances in engine design including hybrid and direct injection spark ignition technologies. These engines are designed to work at their best when they are clean. Even microscopic amounts of engine deposits can adversely affect performance.

Sea Foam SF-16 Motor Treatment - 16 oz.

Sea Foam

Based on 12 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Professional mechanics and do-it-yourselfers everywhere rely on this product every day. Sea Foam Motor Treatment dissolves and cleans fuel and oil residues and deposits, stabilizes fuel, controls moisture, and lubricates upper cylinders. Safe and effective when added to gasoline and diesel fuel and oil crankcases Just pour it in!

Cleans injectors, carb jets and passageways
Cleans and lubricates intake valves, pistons and cylinders
Dissolves and cleans fuel residue in fuel systems
Dissolves oil deposits in crankcase
Clean timing chain tensioners and VVT actuators, quiet noisy lifters
100 percent pure petroleum
EPA registered product

User questions & answers

Question:	It's good to put it before fill up or after
Answer:	Dump it in at the pump before filling up. That way the fuel rushing into the tank will mix it in rather than dumping it in after filling. Eventually it'll attain uniform mixture but dump then pump will mix it right away.
Question:	I can run Sea Foam in the crankcase along with my oil at all times or just as a cleaner prior to changing the oil
Answer:	It says right on the bottle, you can add it in the crankcase 100-300 miles right BEFORE oil change.
Question:	how does it do in motor oil
Answer:	I just used Sea Foam in my oil for the first time. I have a 50 year old car with its original, never-rebuilt motor. The lifters have been tapping for awhile so I thought it was worth a try. I added Sea Foam to the crankcase oil according to the directions (1.5 oz. per quart of oil). I let the motor run for about 15 minutes. The lifter noise went away almost immediately. Afterwards, I changed the oil as normal. When I drained the old oil, it was noticeably thinner due to the presence of the Sea Foam. I added new oil and filter, and the engine runs like a top now. No more noise. This stuff is great.
Question:	This item (Sea Foam Motor Tune-Up) oil additives? Or fuel additives
Answer:	seafoam is mainly a fuel system cleaner and it does work well. as for your oil, it acts as a cleaner also, targeting sticky valves, dirty port holes , dirty lifter issues etc

Product features

PROVEN. EFFECTIVE. SAFE. SINCE 1942

Help your engine equipment run cleaner and last longer with Sea Foam products. Sea Foam was born with a focus on safe and effective products that help keep all types of gas and diesel engines running their best. Trusted by mechanics since 1942, Sea Foam represents a rich tradition of vehicle and outdoor enthusiasts, DIY equipment owners, and all sorts of people who love or depend on engines.

ADD TO GAS OR DIESEL FUEL

Pour Sea Foam in your fuel tank to clean and lubricate your entire fuel system. A cleaner engine starts easier, runs smoother, and lasts longer!

ADD TO CRANKCASE OIL

As an oil system treatment, Sea Foam cleans harmful residues and deposits that can restrict oil flow and engine lubrication.

STABILIZE STORED FUEL

Sea Foam helps stored fuel resist evaporation, preserve ignition vapors, and prevent gum and varnish formation. Stabilizes up to two years!

STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer - Guaranteed To Keep Fuel Fresh Fuel Up To Two Years - Effective In All Gasoline Including All Ethanol Blended Fuels - For Quick, Easy Starts, 16 fl. oz. (22207)

STA-BIL

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Storing fuel for more than a year? Have a generator or piece of equipment you don’t know the next time you will use it? Have no worries STA-BIL Storage is an additive meant just for what you’re looking for. STA-BIL Storage keeps gas fresh for up to 24 months. This eliminates the need to drain fuel before storing your equipment and ensures quick easy starts the next time you go to fire it up. This product is highly effective in all gasoline including ethanol and non-ethanol blended fuels. Whether using 87, 91, or 93 octane gas ethanol or non-ethanol blended gas still goes bad. This product is great for bulk gas storage as well as collector cars, small engines, generators, and boats. Treat rate is 1oz to 2 ½ gallons of gas. If using with small engine equipment it is best to add STA-BIL Storage to your gas can. This way every piece of equipment you fill with that can is treated. Make sure to add STA-BIL while the gas is fresh. Best practice is to add STA-BIL when you are at the pump. STA-BIL is proudly made in the USA.

Keeps fuel fresh for up to 24 months during storage
Eliminates need to drain fuel prior to storage
Ensures quick, easy starts after storage
Effective in all gasoline, including ethanol blends
For all gasoline engines, including 2-cycle
Fit type: Universal Fit

User questions & answers

Question:	can it be used after gas has sat in a tank for years of none use or is it to late to use
Answer:	The best way to use it is to do it right when you store a vehicle. You should probably drain the gas and start fresh if you have been sitting for years.
Question:	Can i put sta-bill in a 300 gallon tank that is already full of gas? i have no way to agitate it once i add the sta-bill
Answer:	Yes. You can simply add the recommended amount to the fuel. Shaking, mixing, or agitating is not necessary, as STA-BIL Storage will dilute itself into the fuel. Hope that helps. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Thanks for the question!
Question:	I have stored gas in gas cans for about a year and a half wheel this product be good for the situation
Answer:	Ron, you must use Sta-bil before you store the gas. It will keep gas fresh for one year. If you double the dosage it will work for two years.
Question:	Can this be used year round, even while running the mower
Answer:	Hi. Thanks for the question. Yes, you can certainly use STA-BIL all year-round as it does help in keeping the fuel system clean and the fuel as fresh as possible while in use. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Product features

STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer

Store fuel for more than a year? Have a generator or piece of equipment that you aren't sure when it'll get used again? Have no worries because STA-BIL Storage is an additive for all of those uses. STA-BIL Storage keeps gas fresh for up to 24 months. This eliminates the need to drain fuel before storing your equipment and ensures quick easy starts the next time you go to start your engine. This product is highly effective in all gas including ethanol and non-ethanol blended fuels. Whether using 87, 91, or 93 octane gas ethanol or non-ethanol blended gas still goes bad. This product is great for bulk gas storage as well as collector cars, small engines, generators, & boats. Treat rate is 1oz to 2½ gallons of gas. If using with small engine equipment it is best to add STA-BIL Storage to your gas can. This way every piece of equipment you fill with that can is treated. Make sure to add STA-BIL while the gas is fresh. Best practice is to add STA-BIL when you are at the pump.