13 Best Fuel Additives for MPG - Our Picks, Alternatives & Reviews (2023)

FAQs

What is the best fuel additive for better mpg? ›

There are products available to make sure your fuel system is clean so you can increase your fuel economy. Fuel additives, such as Berryman B12 Chemtool, work to prevent and dissolve build-up within your fuel system. This build-up, if not taken care of, can cause further issues, such as a rough idle.

Do Fuel Additives Work? Maybe, but it depends on what you're trying to achieve with your fuel additive. They may prevent future car maintenance problems regarding your fuel injectors and buildup. However, fuel additives may not improve your vehicle's fuel economy right away after just one tank.

Definitely not. The website Snopes clicked on the ad, which did lead to a page advertising EcoPlus which is a technical device that connects to your car. But in an email, the company said the ad is not theirs and Coke is not related to their product. Experts agree putting Coca-Cola in a gas tank can ruin your car.

The antiknock additives, which have been widely used worldwide, are the lead alkyls tetraethyl lead (TEL) and tetramethyl lead (TML).

Designed to increase power and fuel mileage and also lower exhaust emissions through a more complete combustion. Lucas Fuel Treatment is formulated for both gasoline and diesel engines, carbureted or fuel injected.

Apart from this, fuel additives affect the carbon particles of the engine so much that the injectors start spraying more fuel after some time. On excessive use, it sometimes removes the protection layer of the piston, which also increases the risk of reducing the life of the engine.

What is the best gas additive for older cars? ›

The three best lead additive options for classic cars include the Hapco Products Lead Additive, Red Line 60202 Lead Additive, and Niteo Motor Medic Lead Additive. The best thing about these products is the low pricing and bulk purchase options available.

Other instances of this clickbait ad show different things being added to the gas tank, including dishwasher tablets, ketchup and toothpaste. Snopes, an online site devoted to debunking urban legends, advised: "Off the top, we strongly advise against putting anything in a car's fuel tank other than gasoline."

A lot of people put WD-40 in their gas tanks because it helps them get better gas mileage. That comes with a cost, though. WD-40 can be used as a fuel substitute if you put enough of it in your gas tank—a gallon or more, in fact—to prevent your engine from running on gasoline.

The short-term effects may not have had negative consequences, but we can assure you that adding hydrogen peroxide to your gas tank will also have those. Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive chemical. Once inside the gas tank, it can spark and cause an ignition inside. That will lead to your car blowing up.

TOP TIER™ Detergent Gasoline is a fuel performance standard based on Deposit Control Additives and designed to minimize carbon deposit build up on critical engine components like air intake valves and injectors. It also prohibits the use of organometallic additives known to damage catalytic converters.

Ferrocene. This powdery, metal-containing additive is also famous for its anti-knock properties. Ferrocene is the economically cheapest way to raise the octane number at a cost-per-ton / OCH ratio.

You'll know you're filling up with the good stuff if you spot a small green sticker on the pump that says “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.” As of early 2022, the following stations sold Top Tier gasoline in the U.S.: 76, ARCO, Aloha, Beacon, Breakaway, CITGO, Cenex, Chevron, Conoco, Costco Wholesale, CountryMark, ...

When it comes to fuel economy, Sea Foam cleans harmful fuel residues and deposits that cause dirty or clogged fuel injectors, helping restore injector spray patterns and recover lost mileage. It's safe and effective in any gasoline or diesel engine.

Is techron additive worth it? ›

In fact, using Techron® in a new vehicle is a good preventative measure to keep that new fuel system clean and deposit-free. It also helps to maintain the gas mileage that your new vehicle is designed to deliver.

Lucas Fuel Treatment should definitely be used in vehicles that require leaded fuel because it actually replaces the benefits of lead in gasoline without causing harmful emissions. Use it to pass smog tests. Finally, it totally neutralizes the harmful effects of low sulfur diesel fuel.

Can fuel additives damage your vehicle's engine? Yes, if you use them improperly or use them too much. You must follow your vehicle owner's manual and then the instructions on the fuel additive container for best results.

“Octane boosters can cause damage. An example would be operating an automobile engine using aviation fuel. Aviation fuel is higher octane and contains lead. Leaded fuel will damage the catalytic converter and sensors.

While some say that oil additives are not worth the hype, others swear by these products to improve the performance and lifespan of their engine. Those who use oil additives boast numerous benefits such as better fuel mileage, longer service intervals and reduced engine noise.

B-12 Chemtool Fuel System Cleaner (part #0116) is 100% strong solvent and does not contain petroleum oils or aliphatic distillates like Seafoam Motor Treatment does. Quite simply, 0116 is a more aggressive cleaner, both in the gas tank and in the crankcase.

Fuel injector cleaners typically have a superior cleansing strength and last longer between applications when compared to gas treatments. Injector cleaners are added to the fuel tank at oil changes.

Cold air intake - Cold air intakes will improve fuel efficiency, only to the extent that they are actually delivering colder air versus your stock intake. Air cleaners and filters - Air cleaners and filters generally don't produce much in the way of fuel economy.

What rpms for best gas mileage? ›

Nulon Octane Boost & Clean softens and dissolves fuel injector and combustion chamber carbon deposits, which are a major cause of poor performance, rough running and engine detonation (pinging).

It can't harm engine parts or components. You don't have to worry about messing anything up by adding “too much.” The more Sea Foam Motor Treatment you add to fuel, the better it cleans (up to a point, of course). At a minimum, add 1 ounce of Sea Foam per gallon of fuel.

Seafoam debate. Techron is the better product of the two, though it's slightly more expensive. It's a more powerful cleaner and offers additional benefits to enhance your vehicle's performance.

For the best results, add a full can of Sea Foam to a low tank of fuel. After you add Sea Foam to the gas tank, run your truck for at least 20 miles before refueling. That will give the Sea Foam time to work through the fuel system before being diluted by more fuel.

Fuel injectors are responsible for spraying a mist of fuel into the engine. The finer and more controlled the spray, the better the fuel economy. Add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to your gas on your next fill-up. Doing this once a year can significantly improve your fuel injector's performance.

The oil comes in varying viscosities. Your vehicle manufacturer will have recommended which one is the most suitable for your car. Yet, when you introduce a synthetic option over a conventional oil type, the efficiency difference can be significant enough to lower your MPG.

Do better spark plugs increase gas mileage? ›

Replacing an older style spark plug with a more technologically advanced component can result in fuel efficiency improvements of between 1% and 3%. This may not seem like much, but over the course of a year, two years, the lifetime of the car, this can quickly add up to considerable savings.

If spark plugs are misfiring or performing poorly, your gas mileage will be affected. Spark plugs are responsible for sparking engine combustion. They can't do that if they aren't working efficiently. Bad oxygen sensors and air filters can reduce gas mileage by as much as 20%!

Over time, poor combustion can allow carbon the buildup in your throttle body. This build up can inhibit air flow, sensor operation and small tubes on your engine. Consider having your throttle body cleaned to help improve fuel mileage.