Lucas UCL Study - Quick Report

[Dominic]

I have been using Lucas now in each tank since April 2006. It's now September 2006 and I'm reporting my findings. This is on a 5spd V6 2002 model well maintained Camaro (www.1lev6.com). It is my only vehicle so it goes everywhere. The car is meticulously maintained, all clean fluids, all synthetic, P275/40 Avon M550 tires always inflated properly, and driven spiritedly but not horribly aggressive. Speeding on the interstate and around town to keep up with traffic. The

City findings:
Before Lucas Avg MPG - 15.5
After Lucas Avg MPG - 17.0

Hwy Findings
Before Lucas Avg MPG - 27.5mpg
After Lucas Avg mpg - 27.8mpg

So, not a lot of increase on the highway. I tried several on/off tanks and it didn't make much of a difference. City findings are tremendous, and I'm not sure why.

Subjective Report:
Using Lucas in my tank has made my engine idle smoother and run smoother at all speeds. I find that I have less hesitation when it's cold, and the car simply performs better. I run Sunoco 87 Fuel exclusively when around town, which is not top tier, and it seems to help it.

I could put big charts up, but I think this gets the point across. I would like to try fuel power, but it's double the cost of the Lucas UCL. Somehow I doubt I'm going to see 2x the fuel economy improvement with Fuel Power over Lucas, but it might work on the highway better?

Also, this is running Philadelphia 10% EtOH fuels.

Either way I really save 5% on my gas using a rebate Visa and paying it off each month, so a little improvement mechanically + financially = big money savings. I hope everyone is taking advantage of the 5% lifetime fuel rebate cards while they last.

 

[DJ]

My understanding is the primary component in that stuff changes the way gas atomizes, that would explain why you see a smoother idle and more benifit in city situations. At highway speeds airflow is sufficient to thoroughly atomize fuel without any help.

 

[mechtech2]

I think that Lucas UCL benefits will be more enhanced with cold weather, when the fuel will need all the help it can get to vaporize/break apart.
It's also good for upper cyl. lubrication [UCL].
Some around here have postulated that diesel engines last longer than gas because of the lubricity of the diesel fuel. So, this should help.

 

[Dominic]

I'm still going to keep running it, and I will update the post around December/January when it's much colder to see how the economy is doing. If anyone else is currently doing a minor study, please feel free to post

 

[Ken2]

What is the treat cost for this product? How much extra per gallon does it add to the fuel cost? Does it more than pay for itself? (If not, why use it?)


Ken

 

[Dominic]

$2.60/gallon for gasoline
10 gallons @ 15.5mpg = $26/155mi = $0.1677 per mile
10 gallons @ 17.0mpg = $26/170mi = $0.1529 per mile

savings per mile = 1.4 cents
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every 150 miles = $2.10 savings
Cost of treatment = $0.33

Total Savings per tank (150 miles city) = $1.77
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lets say I drive 10,000mi per year 100% city... Total savings $118/yr including cost of product.

It more than pays for itself.

 

[surfstar]

I've also found that UCL more than pays for itself with regular use. So not only do you get a slight cost savings, but you have a cleaner fuel system and lubricity for the cylinders and fuel pump. I also use a 5% Citi Shell rebate card

For me, FP60 broke even with cost/savings. UCL was a better deal b/c of how much cheaper it can be purchased locally.

As far as idle/engine smoothness/NVH, I've found that MMO is best, then FP, then UCL. Which oddly is the reverse order of which additives give MPG increases (for me).

 

[Reg# 43897]

I have taken to using this stuff this summer in everything. How much of it are you adding? What concentration?

John.

 

[Dominic]

I put in 2oz per fillup of 10 gallons approximately. Im using their recommended dosage at 1oz/5gal. I've found no increase in economy or power using higher amounts.

 

[Chuck1986]

Lucas UCL surely is good stuff!
I wanna buy a one gallon jug of this stuff, as it costs only $23, but I only drive about 3k miles a year (I'm a college student and only drive during semester/summer breaks.) If I buy the gallon jug, how long ya think it will keep its potency? Just wondering cuz it could last me at least a few years!

 

[JTK]

It's good to see another lucas UCL post. I too have been using it for a few months. I cant say that I've seen a MPG increase as our driving conditions and fuels used change constantly. For that reason, I add UCL to every 2nd or 3rd tank of gasoline. My *hopes* are it's a decent fuel system and CC cleaner. I would like to keep running FP & LC like I have for several years, but the cost with shipping outweighs the bennies IMO. I'd love to be able to find a gallon jug of lucas UCL for ~$23. Locally I've only been able to source UCL in qts for $8-9.

Joel

 

[psudaytona]

Lucas and MMO are the only ones I have noticed to smooth my engine out at all. The FP has given it a sharper throttle response though, its also quicker to go into WOT it feels like.

My car seems to like the MMO better though. It gets the best effect with about 8-12 oz per 14 gallon tank. Within 10 miles the engine is quieter and quicker to start.

 

[Dominic]

You can order a 4 gallon case on ebay for a good deal, as well as summitracing.com cant be beat if you want a few K&N oil filters and a gallon or two of Lucas. I got my last gallon at a TA truckstop on a road trip - you know you're sick when you have to explain to your girlfriend that you want her to pull off the interstate for a truckstop not because you want to wiz, but because you need a gallon of injector cleaner - and then you spend 5-10 minutes deciding if you ought to buy two while there

I also agree on the FP shipping statement. If I could get FP shipped to my door, 1 gallon for $25, Id probably buy it instead to try. However, the Lucas is inexpensive and easy to get anywhere.

 

[Mr Nice]

I've used this stuff in an old Honda and without Lucas it gets 38 MPG. With Lucas it will get 39.5 MPG on the highway. You can find the gallon of UCL at Napa or Flying J truckstops.

Whats in Lucas that helps clean the fuel system ??

It seems like its just a very thick oil.

 

[MysticGold04]

I've been using Lucas for 2 tankfulls now in my Tacoma... It has 30k miles, so I figured I'd give it a try. I've observed the same thing with city driving -- the tank seems to last longer. I haven't calculated mileage yet, but it seems to do the job, I notice a better idle, and improved throttle response. I have been buying all of my fuel at Costco because it is always cheaper than anywhere else... Autozone sells the UCL in a single treatment or the bigger bottle (not gallon) I've also seen the single treatment bottles at my local Wal-mart.

I do have a question regarding Lucas UCL... any benefit to using it in a new engine?

 

[Dominic]

I dont think there is any HARM using it in a new engine, and it will KEEP the new engine clean and lubricated in the top end.

I have a gallon at home for refills
I carry 1qt + 1 5.25oz container in the car.
I refill the 5.25oz container with the quart, and then refill the quart at home when it gets low.

From what I hear the main component in UCL is polyisobutylene.