Redline SI-1 or not

[Marcozi]

My car, a 2018 BMW M240i, has 40k miles. The car hasn't been babied as it's spent time on the track (Summit Point and Virginia International Raceway), and I regularly perform the Italian tune-up. It's had a steady diet of Shell 93 and 5k mile OCI, mostly with Ravenol VMP 5w30. So, the question is: should I put a bottle of Redline SL-1 fuel system cleaner in the tank? And, if you answer "Yes," should I change the oil after the tank gets to 1/8 full?

Thanks!

 

[Patman]

IMO if you’ve been using Shell 93 all of this time there won’t be any need for any cleaning products. Shell V Power is extremely good at keeping engines clean and even at cleaning up engines that were left dirty by inferior fuel.

 

[jcy]

if you're really curious, you should carefully note your current fuel usage, then pour in a botttle for the last tank of gas before your next oil change, fully burn down that tank, change oil, then check fuel economy again afterwards to observe any effect

 

[JimPghPA]

if you're really curious, you should carefully note your current fuel usage, then pour in a botttle for the last tank of gas before your next oil change, fully burn down that tank, change oil, then check fuel economy again afterwards to observe any effect

But pay attention to if the tanks of fuel are both of the same season. Summer fuel gets better MPG.

 

[martinq]

Red Line SI-1 (many refer to it as S1 but this is the first I've seen SL-1) is highly recommended and it tests out very well. If cost is not an issue I recommend running one bottle through the system before each oil change. I really don't think it matters if it's added before or after the oil change and it's more convenient for me to add it during service.

https://www.redlineoil.com/si-1-complete-fuel-system-cleaner

 

[edyvw]

My car, a 2018 BMW M240i, has 40k miles. The car hasn't been babied as it's spent time on the track (Summit Point and Virginia International Raceway), and I regularly perform the Italian tune-up. It's had a steady diet of Shell 93 and 5k mile OCI, mostly with Ravenol VMP 5w30. So, the question is: should I put a bottle of Redline SL-1 fuel system cleaner in the tank? And, if you answer "Yes," should I change the oil after the tank gets to 1/8 full?

Thanks!

No.

 

[Johnny248]

Can't imagine that it would hurt anything. I've used SL1 and it seems to be pretty effective. A maintenance bottle from time to time can only help clean something that the V-Power may have missed.

 

[rstsco]

Probably not necessary having used only Shell premium. I ran the same in our Audi and never had a carbon issue, but did use a bottle of Amsoil PI the last full tank, then running another 100 miles or so on a fresh fill-up before each oil change. Probably was a waste of money, but oh well.

Now have some SI-1 standing by for doing the same before the next OCI on the 2025 Pilot. I know it's having carbon build-up issues.

Should you use the SI-1 before the next oil change, it will be interesting to see if anything shows up in the oil filter media. If not, don't bother buying another bottle. If so...

 

[GW.]

I use SL1 every 6 months in all my vehicles. The stuff works great! I usually do it on my last tank before an oil change. But Redline states it’s not necessary

 

[Marcozi]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I think I'll wait for a while before putting any additive in my car's tank.

 

[Patman]

Red Line SI-1 (many refer to it as S1 but this is the first I've seen SL-1) is highly recommended and it tests out very well. If cost is not an issue I recommend running one bottle through the system before each oil change. I really don't think it matters if it's added before or after the oil change and it's more convenient for me to add it during service.

https://www.redlineoil.com/si-1-complete-fuel-system-cleaner

It is actually SI-1, not SL-1 (and the URL above confirms that)

 

[ford250]

Can't imagine that it would hurt anything. I've used SL1 and it seems to be pretty effective. A maintenance bottle from time to time can only help clean something that the V-Power may have missed.

I do the same from time to time. Just good preventive care. Advance Auto stocks it now so it’s easy to get

 

[tired]

I do the same from time to time. Just good preventive care. Advance Auto stocks it now so it’s easy to get

Yeah I run a bottle through too right before I change the oil. I switched to Amsoil's version though this time around.

 

[cryptolyme]

always worked great for me. also increases exhaust burbles in my car