If you want to read endless discussions about this google bobistheoilguy and check out that forum. Prepare yourself for a lot of reading and debates.

 

I use Amsoil products for engine treatment. Also use their oil and filter in my 2015 Outback

 

I'll try to save you some time: Techron

 

stick to Tier one gas.

 

This is always one of those debated topics. IMO tier one gas isn't going to cut it, but it does help especially with the DI engines 2020+ and carbon buildup. Oil experts will recommend you add fuel injector cleaner with PEA before winter annually. This makes sure your fuel is atomized and will cutdown on fuel dilution.
As for which to choose there are a bunch, usually the cost will give you an idea of the amount of PEA in the cleaner. A product like Gumout is usually cheap and recommended every 3-5k. Techron and Rislone are mid-tier and good for 10k. BG 44K is the better stuff and good for 30k, but probably over kill for most annually. The benefit to Rislone is that they give you an octane booster so you can use 87 gas with it. Most cleaners state you should use better gas 89+, because PEA lowers octane. Hope that helps.

 

I agree with everything above, especially the BITOG reference. I use Techron for maintenance and BG44K when I'm trying to fix a problem. The BG product actually helped a clogged cat - it didn't fix the problem, but helped the car run a little better for a little longer. Then another dose of BG, then a few weeks later another, until that person could afford to get rid of that car.

 

BG 44K fan here. Bi annually.

 

Depending on the age of the vehicle (port or direct injection) top tier fuels would be good keep a vehicle clean, but also if it's direct injection an intake cleaning service every 60,000km is recommended to help mitigate the build up of carbon on the valves since they never get washed with fuel. Also regular oil changes and PCV replacement every 60k as well all help. At my dealer we use Terra clean products. Some dealers use BG products. Sea Foam is another product. Some just walnut blast.

 

I worked in the fuel additive industry for 10 plus years, specifically testing fuel additives for their effectiveness via various ASTM and custom tests. I don't use any aftermarket additives in my 2020, and didn't use any in my 2008 Outback either (or any of my other vehicles). I don't even look for Top Tier gas. The EPA LAC (Lowest Allowable Concentration) of detergent additive is fine and more additive isn't better as it can cause problems. But as I usually say, most of the aftermarket bottles are 99% solvent so they won't do any harm and if it makes you feel better about maintaining your car, then go for it.

 

Best I know and use is by Amsoil. Use their oil and filter also in my 2015 Outback.

 

The most popular is the Chevron additive, which is like $10 at Walmart. I've used it before, but only when using regular gas, and not top-tier. I never use it with vehicles that need premium fuel, since it has more additives. I was considering using the Chevron additive on my OB, since it's a year and 16K+ miles old, uses regular fuel, and I don't use top-tier (I use Walmart), because the Chevron and Shell closed, and there's no top-tier fuel anywhere close. But after reading JHolmes8 post, I'm questioning if it'd be money well spent, or wasted. Ha ha. Plus with direct injection, the benefit of additives is much less, since the fuel doesn't hit the back of the valves (to clean deposits) at all.

 

I was told years ago on the legacyGT.com forum to use this. I put a can in my 18' yesterday. $4.00 at walmart. Next Fall I'll dump a can in the 24XT. I also run a little through the 86 F150, but that's get very few miles per year and the few gallons I keep in the tank can use it.

I think for most of us, it's cheap insurance. Makes us feel good. Hey, they wouldn't sell if they didn't want folks to buy it

 

I do like the Restore and Protect oil been using it on my 2016 F150 with 153,000 miles on it.

I don't use oil additives at all. I have used fuel additive and I have really like Luke's I have used it from a diesel truck down to my generator. I have also used this stuff called Red Line had to order it off Amazon and it did work great it was a very big noticeable difference on the gas consumption after we added it to the fuel tank.

Depending on where you live check your engine air filter more often. That's the lungs of the engine so the cleaner you keep it the less gunk burning in the engine. You might also look at I believe they are called oil traps some people say it works supposed to trap any oil vaper before it gets sent to the engine.