A while back I posted asking about using Techron Concentrate in my '97 1.8tm. I went ahead and added it before my last oil change, and just finished the first full tank after the Techron was run through. My milage had been running around 21-22MPG (whereas it used to be 23-24MPG). This time I got around 23.5MPG and the car now feels a little peppier and idles a little more smoothly. <br>I don't think AC usage or weather played a part in this, so I am axious to get through the next tank and I hope the milage will be as good, or even slighly better (I have heard of this happening after using Techron). I drive mostly short trips, so maybe I had a problem with carbon build-up (which I have heard can result from this type of driving). The engine had felt strong when it was first started, but that would diminish somewhat when the engine got warm (another sign of carbon build-up?). It now feels strong and peppy whether the engine is hot or cold, and I am happy again!

My experience has been that Lubro-Moly Ventil Sauber or Jectron (heavy duty) works better than Techron. Your results are consistent with what I have seen with Techron. Lubro Moly products can be purchased through advertisers in European Car. <br>

My experience has been that Lubro-Moly Ventil Sauber or Jectron (heavy duty) works better than Techron. Your results are consistent with what I have seen with Techron. Lubro Moly products can be purchased through advertisers in European Car. <br>

Is this an oil additive or a fuel additive?<p> Doug G<br> 98.5 1.8TQM

Techron is a fuel additive that is made by Chevron, and it is the same stuff they put in their gasoline. Using the Techron Concentrate fuel treatment provides a much higher dose of Techron than you would get in their gas, and is supposed to clean the fuel injectors as well as remove carbon deposites from the valves and cylinder heads (the Techron level in their gas is just enough to help prevent these things from happening, or at least delay them).<p>Chevron also produces other fuel treatments under the ProGard name. These contain less Techron than a bottle of Techron Concentrate, but still higher than what is in their pump gas (they are formulated in varying strengths to clean specific things - injectors, valves, etc.) You should be able to find this stuff at better auto parts stores, along with K-Mart, Walmart, etc.<p>Supposedly, the Techron, along with the Lubro Molly and the Red Line products, are about the only fuel treatments that really work.

I'm no authority, but FWIW everything I read here and elsewhere on the web (Porsche, MB, BMW, VW and some exotic car enthusiast sights, The Quattro List, various newsgroups, etc.) all tend to favor the Chevron Techron, Lubro Molly and Red Line fuel treatments. I tend to take what I read on the WWW with a grain of salt, but everything I encountered on this subject was in concensus regarding these products.<p>I do not remember reading many positive things about the STP additivies, but I think there is one that might be OK (maybe the yellow capped one - I can't remember).<p>For me, it was not worth experimenting with other products given all the positive feedback I found on the aforementioned products (especially from folks who owned expensive and enthusiast type cars). For me, the Techron worked great and it was readily available (it was also comforting to know that it is the same stuff that is in the Chevron gas that I usually buy).