BMW Fuel System Cleaner is Techron

[NextGen]

From what I can tell most of you on this board already know that BMW fuel cleaner is really Techron from Chevron. It just so happens that I recently had a bottle of each and did a compare. Both of these are the 20oz bottles. Check out the pictures. The bottles are identical with both including the Chevron brand name on the bottom. In the 2nd picture the one on the left is the BMW bottle.

[msammy]

Nice catch, but why would you ever pour that into your gas tank???

[msammy]

Originally Posted by msammy

Nice catch, but why would you ever pour that into your gas tank???

This is a very good debate, but I go back to my original post - I have 81K miles on my X5, never poured anything like that into my tank. The car runs fine, so should I start dumping that stuff in once in a while?

[Bimmer360]

Originally Posted by msammy

This is a very good debate, but I go back to my original post - I have 81K miles on my X5, never poured anything like that into my tank. The car runs fine, so should I start dumping that stuff in once in a while?

yes.

[Bimmer360]

you never done that? I do that every 6,000 miles. Why? run search and you will find out.

[JCL]

You are much better off using good fuel, with sufficient additives, but as that is not always possible there are additives available to correct problems associated with the build-up of deposits. BMW recommends not using additives, but they acknowledge the need in some cases. I just wouldn't ever use them as a preventative measure, given the other problems they can cause.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by JCL

You are much better off using good fuel, with sufficient additives, but as that is not always possible there are additives available to correct problems associated with the build-up of deposits. BMW recommends not using additives, but they acknowledge the need in some cases. I just wouldn't ever use them as a preventative measure, given the other problems they can cause.

Listen to JCL. He knows his stuff when it comes to this. It is much better to get good gas like Chevron or other fresh fuels with good detergents every time you fill up then to buy second grade fuel and then try to remedy the issues with fuel system cleaner.

I also noticed about a year ago that the BMW fuel system cleaner I paid twice as much for from the dealer was manufactured by Chevron. I won't ever buy it from the stealer again.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by Bimmer360

you never done that? I do that every 6,000 miles. Why? run search and you will find out.

Every 6,000 miles is a bit of an overkill. As JCL have pointed out, it's much better to consistently use quality top tier fuel, which should already contain such additives. With that said, I still do use the Techron additive on all my rides, but only every 20K miles or so and I made sure that burned all of it off within a day or two.

[Bimmer360]

thats what they say...overkill, i use premium fuel only and add that every 6K miles. Call it coincidence, but perhaps, thats the reason why i never had any problems with my E46 and my X5 on engines, anything related to fuel beyond 100K miles? I may be good or not in taking care of my BMWs but hey, lasting this long with that kind of practice encourages me more to continue doing it that way.

Originally Posted by dkl

Every 6,000 miles is a bit of an overkill. As JCL have pointed out, it's much better to consistently use quality top tier fuel, which should already contain such additives. With that said, I still do use the Techron additive on all my rides, but only every 20K miles or so and I made sure that burned all of it off within a day or two.

[paulgt3]

Us Porsche guys swear by Techron. The usage is Alway use Chevron gas.
then on the gas tank before an oil change put in a whole bottle of Techron.
THe techron will get by the rings and get in your oil. Burn all the gas
change oil.
Really works well.