Bavariansamurai

First, hello everyone! I am a long time BMW guy, but have recently decided to give Acura a try again (I had an Integra many moons ago)!

I am the proud new owner of a 2012 TL with SH-AWD and Advance package! The car has less than 18K miles on it so I am hoping this is premature, but I am wondering what you all use for preventative maintenance as far as fuel system cleaner? I have used Chevron's Techron on all of my previous cars with great success, but wanted to make sure there wasn't a reason not to use it on the TL or if there was another similar product that worked better!

Thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

most fuel cleaners/fuel injector cleaners are snake oil.

premium fuel has cleaners and detergents in them.
as long as you're using premium fuel, there wouldnt be a need to use a stand alone cleaner.

Bavariansamurai

Thanks, and yes you are correct! I started using it after my mechanic suggested that I use something every 6 mo or so if I buy gas from independent (e.g grocery store gas stations) since the quality of their fuel can vary wildly depending on where they buy each batch from. I used to only use Shell 94 Octane, but that has become difficult after some stations closed and I now work from a different location!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^these J-engines generally run pretty clean.

im only at 67k miles on my 2006, but ive seen some 100k mile engines and their heads are super super clean!

dcmodels

I too use this product, and if you want to use it, a tech at the help-line Techron told me that its effectiveness decreases after 3-years, meaning it basically has no value after 3-years.

It won't hurt the car to use it if older than 3-years, it just won't be effective - which I understand to mean that its best when used in the first year after manufacturer. I mean, if its basically ineffective after 3-years, it must decrease in effectiveness as time goes by, right?

Also, the PLUS stuff has 3-times the amount of cleaner as the FUEL INJECTOR stuff, which is why it costs twice as much. The PLUS is the only one that has enough cleaner to clean the entire system, esp a dirty system (like intake valves), and not just the injectors. Which I suppose is why the PLUS is only supposed to be used every 3K miles, while the FUEL INJECTOR can be used every 1K miles.

Anyway, that means when you buy it at one of those auto-parts store sales, check the date on the bottle, since maybe the reason its on sale is because its been sitting around for a couple of years already. And don't buy enough to last 10 years either - not cost effective.

The date code is printed in black ink on the black bottle near the very bottom of the bottle, not on the label. The basic format is, but not always exactly the same as:

Techron PLUS gas additive
7/12035/JHU11^00:nn = 35th day of 2012 at unknown time

This is a modified Julian date format: yyddd. Yes, its very difficult to see black ink on a black bottle, tilt bottle so that the ink is reflected in the light. And its easy to wipe the ink off, so some bottles won't have it, or only part of the compete code.

dpwarner

As stated above, top tier premium gas and/or Techron should keep you running clean.

MoAbbas

i'll use a can of seafoam randomly. i used it to change my oil once aswell. but whatever justnspace said is spot on.

mylove4cars

Use premium gas, Chevron Techron - Shell Vpower, Look at some new build gas stations, less sludge that can end-up in your fuel system.

wreak

That stuff is garbage dont use that crap in your TL it doesnt need it.

Blaze9

I just keep to new and high-volume stations to make sure the gas is fresh and good quality. I dunno if it has a huge affect on anything, but it makes me feel a ton better so why not!

dwest1023

BG 44K, the real deal for cleaning. One can every 10k and youi will never have to wory abour fuel clearing. Its the best out there and its expensive, but IT WORKS. Im surprised no one has has mentioned it. Techron is good too. BG, better if you have to have the best.