sarah

if Mercedes officially approves Techron as fuel additive, why doesn't Lexus?

I've been using Techron for years, in my Lexus and MB cars/SUVs.
Not until recently did I realize that Mercedes actually has Techron
listed in the official 2007 approved fluids list.(in addition to MB's own
fuel additive sold at the dealer)

I'm just wondering why Lexus doesn't have any officially approved
fuel additives?

How many GS owners(2nd gen) use Techron? How often?

Thanks!

LeXaNoMicS

Techron ? as in the fuel with it already added from chevron ? or actually adding it after the fact?

All i use is Chevron 91 w/ techron

sarah

The Techron that comes in bottles at Autzone or Advance Auto Parts.

I was surprised as well when I was reading the 2007 owner's manual of
my Mercedes. It states that only two fuel additives are approved by
Mercedes. One is the MB one, sold by MB dealers. The other one is
Chevron's Techron.

I filll up at Chevron gas stations, so I guess there's already some Techron
in it.... but I still pour in a bottle between every couple of oil changes.

samster16

same here... only Chevron 89/92 for me.... I like to switch them up to save a few pennies.

LeXaNoMicS

So is the Techron suppose to be an Octane booster or a fuel injector cleaner ?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

It's a fuel addictive that's suppose to clean your fuel system.


I"m guessing there is some kind of contract between Mercedes and Chevron...you know..money issue. Money is usually involved when talking about endorsements between two large companies

ZippyGuy

iTrader: (9)

A great alternative that will clean your fuel system and boost octane is Sea Foam. Love the stuff!

lexus ASM

44k, atc, moa, and power steering conditioner.

raytseng

I think you're asking the wrong question. Instead of asking "why isn't it approved", a better question would be "why does Mercedes feel they need to explicitly approve additives in the first place?" Is something wrong with their engine design that leads to deposits?

If you're using only top tier fuels, additives probably won't be needed for the lifetime of your car given maintenance following the factory manual.
That being said, I do throw in a bottle of Redline SI-1 every so often(maybe 1/year).

AYEmike

because they want to show that pumping their benz up with techron will make their car last 300k miles.

sarah

Since Toyota is one of the automakers listed below, I assume Lexus is
also included:

http://www.toptiergas.com/
"TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is the premier standard for gasoline performance. Six of the world's top automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi "

None of the gasoline stations in the TOP TIER list is within 30 miles
of me. (no Chevron and no Shell around me)

mmarshall

You are correct that Techron, sometimes labelled as "Techroline" is a fuel-system cleaner. But I don't think there's any money collusion between the two companies, because the Mercedes opinion is shared by a number of other automakers as well, and by the S.A.E. (Society of Automotive Engineers). The S.A.E. does not take corporate ad money......it is strictly an automotive scientific organization. Techron is simply a excellent fuel-system cleaner, and engineers and auto manufacturers recognize that.

Just flip the coin around, and you'll see what I'm saying. Mercedes and Volvo, for example, both produce excellent safety features for their vehicles (and unreliable electronics), but NOT because of Chevron, or any of Chevron's dollars. Chevron has nothing to do with it. That is just the way that Mercedes and Volvo design their vehicles. Same with Chevron and Techroline. They simply refine and sell an excellent gasoline with an excellent detergent package. Shell gasoline, BTW, with its V-Power detergent package, also ranks up there....almost with Techroline.

JHStrange

I'm guessing it's all about the money. Call me cynical but I'd say somebody's paying to be promoted.

dunnojack

i thought all major gas brands have some sort of cleaning additive

even low rated bp-arco has a detergent in there

what makes this better? by how much?

is it a placebo effect?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Yup, I think the deal is too big to not have money involved. Techron is a good cleaner, but I just dont see a free ride on Chevron's part.