Is a tank of Techron or similar cleaner more effective if you are going to be doing prolonged highway driving? Or is it better with shorter trips with stop and go? Getting ready to take a trip and can't decide to do it before or during the trip.
What is the most effective way to use Techron
- Thread starter walterjay
- Start date
When I use it I put it in right as I'm leaving town dump it in the tank and fill the tank with Non ethanol gasoline.
From what I have heard, it is good for it to be in the car for a while. This way while the car sits overnight(s), the cleaner can do its work in the fuel system and injectors. I personally have used it on long trips since that itself usually cleans the engine out. If you are using it as preventative maintenance, I think it is fine to put it in during the trip. If you are having clogged injector issues, short trips and sitting is probably more likely to solve your problem.
Berryman says highway driving, rule of thumb being that fuel additives in general perform best during extended periods of driving
https://www.berrymanproducts.com/driving-habits-for-effectiveness-with-fuel-system-cleaners/
https://www.berrymanproducts.com/driving-habits-for-effectiveness-with-fuel-system-cleaners/
I prefer to leave it unpurchased
When I’ve used it to fix issues with injectors, it’s right before a long trip, preferably combined with a TT gasoline.
For me I did Techron a couple times a year, never noticed a difference, thought I was just maintaining clean. Then I tried BG44k and actually noticed a difference in power and then fuel economy. I also now use Gumout Regane and Gumout Multi system from reviews here at BITOG and other places.
I think one thread here someone did some tests with the different cleaners and amount of PEA in them. The BG44k was one of the higher ones. I do like to add them before trips so that they get a consistent longer use.
That and I think many said that Shell Premium has the highest cleaners so if you want to use that for a couple tanks on your trip.
I think one thread here someone did some tests with the different cleaners and amount of PEA in them. The BG44k was one of the higher ones. I do like to add them before trips so that they get a consistent longer use.
That and I think many said that Shell Premium has the highest cleaners so if you want to use that for a couple tanks on your trip.
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Highway and long trips would be best in getting the most out of the fuel additive as you'll be gassing away in a continuous state than stop and go.
I have tried Techron and other fuel system cleaners in the past however since being introduced to BG 44K, its something I personally swear with and worth its cost alone. I used 3 cans of these in my recent oil service when when servicing my spark plugs at 150K, all 4 pistons were shining bare metal when peeking in with a flashlight. Although absolute overkill to run 3 cans, 1 per full tank fill, it confirms the effectiveness of it cleaning the combustion chamber and other areas.
I'm certain Techron would do fine in a mixed driving condition though I'd probably use 2 bottles in one tank fill if you can them on a decent discount.
Follow the directions is your best method.
dnewton3
Staff member
The major products (Techron; Gumout; BG 44k) don't distinguish the nuances of use in application.
Just follow the instructions; conceptually pretty much all the same regardless of product.
- put the product in the tank before fueling
- fuel up
- drive the whole tank so the concentration is not diluted with another fill-up
It's possible that there is a more or less effective way to get the benefits of PEA. But there's no data that is publicly available to indicate what the course of action would be. No statements exist from these makers as to how to "best" use the product; just general use instructions.
Several years ago, some BITOGers were invited by Gumout to do a test on a car; as I recall wwillson and a few others were present. The subject vehicle was an older car. The Gumout team pulled the head, the group inspected the general nature of the pistons, etc, and then it was put back together. Then the Gumout crew loaded it up with their PEA fuel system product, and drove that car overnight (at a rented track, IIRC) for something like 1000 miles. The next day, there was another teardown and the results were said to be impressive. But ... was it necessary to have that high-speed, constant use application of Gumout to get the results? We don't know because TIME was the critical factor in that experiment; they wanted to get it done overnight for the purpose of demonstration. My point is that anecdotal evidence is probably everywhere; each Joe has a different story to tell. But there's no published data to prove if constant driving at full temp is better (or not) than just short trips. And in fact, it could be possible that no difference exists at all; the use factor may actually matter not at all. We don't know.
In the end, I'd say the mere fact of using PEA products is a good idea if one suspects they need a fuel system cleaning. But as to "how" to use that PEA, just follow the instructions on the label. If the label doesn't distinguish a means of use, then it probably doesn't matter.
Just follow the instructions; conceptually pretty much all the same regardless of product.
- put the product in the tank before fueling
- fuel up
- drive the whole tank so the concentration is not diluted with another fill-up
It's possible that there is a more or less effective way to get the benefits of PEA. But there's no data that is publicly available to indicate what the course of action would be. No statements exist from these makers as to how to "best" use the product; just general use instructions.
Several years ago, some BITOGers were invited by Gumout to do a test on a car; as I recall wwillson and a few others were present. The subject vehicle was an older car. The Gumout team pulled the head, the group inspected the general nature of the pistons, etc, and then it was put back together. Then the Gumout crew loaded it up with their PEA fuel system product, and drove that car overnight (at a rented track, IIRC) for something like 1000 miles. The next day, there was another teardown and the results were said to be impressive. But ... was it necessary to have that high-speed, constant use application of Gumout to get the results? We don't know because TIME was the critical factor in that experiment; they wanted to get it done overnight for the purpose of demonstration. My point is that anecdotal evidence is probably everywhere; each Joe has a different story to tell. But there's no published data to prove if constant driving at full temp is better (or not) than just short trips. And in fact, it could be possible that no difference exists at all; the use factor may actually matter not at all. We don't know.
In the end, I'd say the mere fact of using PEA products is a good idea if one suspects they need a fuel system cleaning. But as to "how" to use that PEA, just follow the instructions on the label. If the label doesn't distinguish a means of use, then it probably doesn't matter.
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I think of it as rare preventative maintenance, one 32 oz bottle for the family fleet every 2-3 years. Throw in a variable for the quality of your local gas supply. Lubbock and Amarillo tx used to be notorious for issues. True gasoline fuel injection issues are rare. Diesel’s on the other hand..
I try to remember to use one bottle a tank before an oil change whatever driving that entails - because they all say to use it then change the oil.
If your having issue and this is more than just a passive PM, then get something with more PEA - like BG or use a couple bottles of techron at once.
IMHO.
If your having issue and this is more than just a passive PM, then get something with more PEA - like BG or use a couple bottles of techron at once.
IMHO.
I used it for a while, but I was already using Chevron 91 for years without deviation. Still, when I think about it, I try to pick up a bottle just before going out of town on a 400 mile round-trip. 
For the life of me, I cannot recall where I read that Techron is best used before a stint of local driving because the PEA works on the injector nozzles upon shutdown.
Could I have read something which was simply 'made up'? Naahh, it was on the internet, so it must be true.
Could I have read something which was simply 'made up'? Naahh, it was on the internet, so it must be true.
I have admittedly only used PEA products after oil changes for convenience but saw somewhere that a manufacturer of a PEA product claimed not changing the oil after running a tank can lead to varnish formation. My hope is that 5k mile OCIs with high quality oils minimize this but I'm also going to be running Valvoline R&P for a while so we will see.
I am sure its one of those hugely cautious liability statements, I presume it has to do with either oil dilution or possibly extra particulate in the oil from the cleaning. They put PEA in top tier gas. If it caused varnish you would think they would be more worried about running it constantly no?
Search some before & after pics, then decide.
After doing this I stopped using it. It seemed to make a tiny difference but thats all. I just use Top Tier fuels at all times and I am confident with that.
After doing this I stopped using it. It seemed to make a tiny difference but thats all. I just use Top Tier fuels at all times and I am confident with that.
I use a bottle before every oil change, cheap insurance to keep things clean. I'll usually time it for when i know i have some highway miles ahead of me on a tank of gas, i'll also make it a point to get on it a few times after cruising for. a while.
Think of it like any other. cleaning operation. In general, warmer solvent works better than cold solvent. Warmer surfaces are easier to clean than cold surfaces. Getting on it a few times ensures you get some periods of maximum flow through the injectors and also get maximum cylinder pressure and heat in the combustion chamber for the same purpose.
Think of it like any other. cleaning operation. In general, warmer solvent works better than cold solvent. Warmer surfaces are easier to clean than cold surfaces. Getting on it a few times ensures you get some periods of maximum flow through the injectors and also get maximum cylinder pressure and heat in the combustion chamber for the same purpose.