IloveC300

I read in few threads that it is suggested to use the fuel system cleaner to enhance the life of your engine. Is this the product that i can use in my 2012 C300?


If yes, do i put in the whole bottle in the fuel tank next time i fill up the gas? and how often i have to use it?

Glyn M Ruck

Enhancing the life of your engine is a bit of a stretch.

A better comment would be that it maintains the performance of your engine by keeping injectors, inlet system, inlet valve tulips & combustion chambers clean.

Techron & it's BASF equivalent are the only fuel system additives that are approved & recommended by Benz.

Stick to treat rate stated on the bottle. More is not better.

If you are using premium additised fuel already you should only need to use it maybe twice a year.

If you are using crap gas Benz would like to see you use it all the time.

Techron works quickest in stop/start multiple heat soak conditions. It will work fine on a long run but takes longer to clean up.

JohnnyC300

Can you elaborate on what stop/start multiple heat soak conditions means.

Glyn M Ruck

Typical in-town driving where the car drives a short distance & warms up. Is then shut down & allowed to "soak" & then run again.

JohnnyC300

Interesting. Any specific temperature you suggest allowing the engine to reach before parking and allowing to soak after a short trip?

IloveC300

Thanks, i used 92 from Costco and i plan to use that 100% of the time whenever possible (just purchased the car so have not filled up gas more than once)
ok so the link that i pasted in the first post is good product to use once every specified interval on the bottle..
my usage of the car would be mostly stop/start multiple heat soak conditions.

Glyn M Ruck

Don't worry too much about temperature just normal in-town daily use or driving to & from work.

greasykid

Check price @ Costco Will be under $20 for case of 6.

spyked

Is the theory still correct that Techron is safe for DI engines running on U.S. grade fuel?

I know it doesn't actually clean much since given the nature of DI, but it might still help clean the injectors. I would imagine the injectors are much more sensitive than port injectors anyway....since they are higher pressure.

Any reason NOT to use Techron in M271 Evo or M276/8 in the U.S.?

Glyn M Ruck

Perfect on DI engines. Cleans mainly injectors & combustion chambers.

ilovemaui1

I typically run Costco gas which does not come with additives as they purchase from whoever has the best price that day. Therefore, I run a bottle of Techron with every 3rd or 4th tank. I did not know Costco sold Techron. I'll have to check t out next time I'm there.

Sportstick

I am open to guidance from Glyn, but from what I have learned from talking to gas station operators in the US, the additive detergent package does not come from the refinery, so (assuming quality and purity) it does not matter if the source changes. It is added by the station operator. And, the good news about Costco can be found here:

http://www.costco.com/gasoline-clean-power.html

This level of detergent package has not been rolled out nationally, so check with your local Costco. My understanding is that once it is national, they will qualify for Top Tier status. Meanwhile, you may be able to spare yourself the expense and protocol Techron requires. I stopped using it after Costco upgraded the fuel detergent at our store. If not near a Costco, I default to Shell, which is a listed Top Tier fuel.

ilovemaui1

That's good to know. They sure don't advertise that at my local Costco.

Sportstick

They show this Costco location on Maui is participating:

540 Haleakala Highway, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

IloveC300

My local costco gas station is in the list of station that uses clean power. does this mean that i dont have to use the techron?

Sportstick

I defer to Glyn on the science of this decision, but based on the specifications I read of their new detergent package on their website, I discontinued Techron usage. My 5-year old C300 and E350 have not demonstrated any deterioration in performance or fuel economy since the transition from Techron to no longer using it for the last ~two years since this gasoline arrived.

Glyn M Ruck

If you are using a top tier additised fuel you will only benefit from using Techron now & again.

Techron is thusfar unsurpassed & continuously updated. The only additive system that comes close is BP's. Some come awfully close at keeping the intake system & valve tulips clean. The Achilles heal of most systems is that they are useless at combustion chamber cleanliness.

If you use top tier fuel you could benefit from a shot of Techron concentrate once or twice a year.

Glyn M Ruck

BTW ~ most additives are dosed into the fuel at the tank truck loading rack before they make a delivery.

Sportstick

Based on your advice, I just ordered a 6 bottle case on Amazon for $40. Thanks for the insight. From looking at the Costco site, any thoughts on their detergent additives from reading "between the lines"?

Glyn M Ruck

It's one of the Lubrizol stock additives. It's OK.

IloveC300

Sweet, thanks a lot Glyn for the info. Thanks sportstick

Uncle

The easiest and most cost effective solution could be to use Chevron fuel, or Shell, or Exxon, or any major on a regular basis. They all have additives. FWIW the Chevron Refinery in Belle Chasse, LA, is the producer of Techron, and varients that are sold to and used by most of the majors mentioned. Add the price of a bottle of Techron, to a tank of no name fuel (no add pack) and what have you saved?

greasykid

A while ago I checked with my local COSTCO about additives. You are partly right. Their gas comes without additives but COSTCO mixes the proper additives @ time of delivery. Additive info is on all the pumps @ my local COSTCO.

I still add Techron every few Thousand miles. (3-5k). Attendant said their gas came from BP. Can't speak for elsewhere.

aussie e55

Aust. $16.00 a bottle

Sportstick

.......but, then again, you get to have kangaroos.