To Techron or not to Techron

[dekaliber]

I was considering running some BMW Fuel Additive/Techron in my car and was wondering about what others more knowledgeable than myself thought of the subject.

Since I bought the car I run exclusively Shell V-Power 93 octane as an approved Top Tier Gas. However, who knows what the previous owner used for the first 15,500 miles?

I don't think I'm experiencing any issues with the car, necessarily. However, since it is a used car, I guess I won't really know if I'm running at, say 90-95% rather than 100% since I didn't experience this car when it was brand new. My fuel economy appears to be subpar, but that's about the only quantifiable difference I can detect between my car and some others'. Even then, there are a lot of other variables at play. Another thing I've noticed is that sometimes I get a bit of that that metallic, reedy sound from the engine, and sometimes I don't, but from what I understand that seems to be a normal effect of the VANOS. I guess the inconsistency is the only thing that makes me wonder. It almost feels like my engine is running "smoother" when I don't get that sound.

Anyway, I guess this is a long way of asking: do I stand to do harm by using fuel cleaner unnecessarily? Would it be safer just to let the Shell gas do its work over the long run, or might a concentrated dose of fuel cleaner help clear out whatever deposits might have accumulated from before as a more or less preventative measure?

[jragan]

BMW puts out a new TSB every couple years as a reminder that essentially says the same thing:

Use Top Tier Gas. In Lieu of Top Tier Gas, supplement with Techron (BMW private labels the stuff). It's ok to use Techron even with Top Tier Gas but not required.

I ran a bottle of Techron through every 3k miles.

[thekurgan]

I have done this maintenance once per year, and haven't found nearly the particles this older engine has had, but may be really cheap to do if you are thinking VANOS related issues could be at hand:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=225780

Other than that, I run the concentrate in 10oz in two consecutive tanks about twice per year, doesn't seem to hurt and it's inexpensive.

[007MCoupe]

is there a list of what is considered top tier gas? I'm running the local stuff 91 octane. I don't eeally have much of a choice. I ran a bottle of Techron through in my first tank just in case, because like OP, i didn't know what had been run the last 30K miles...

am i harming anything but not consistently running top tier gas?

[chickdr]

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

[007MCoupe]

makes sense...thanks.

i'm doing a little research on what Town & Country uses, since that's like 90% of what's available here...anyone form Texas know?

[gatorfast]

I dont really buy into the whole top-tier gas thing. Ive been using a combination of a whole bunch of different brands for years and never had a single problem. I know many people prefer shell but all the shell stations around me are always significantly more expensive than other brands. I usually go to Hess as they seem to be the cheapest. 93 octane is 93 octane as far as I can tell.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by chickdr

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

and all this time i've been putting in only BP (closest/cheapest to me).

[Eccentric]

Never knew about Top Tier.. I never go to BP, Mobil, Exxon or Citgo for political/humanitarian reasons and now I guess since Gulf and Hess aren't on the list I'll probably primarily be frequenting Shell

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

Never knew about Top Tier.. I never go to BP, Mobil, Exxon or Citgo for political/humanitarian reasons and now I guess since Gulf and Hess aren't on the list I'll probably primarily be frequenting Shell

don't see that logic considering most gas stations are privately owned by your avg joe

[MHeavNC]

I am thinking about checking that stuff out.. It isn't going to hurt anything.. I just don't know if the previous owner used crappy gas for 18,000 miles?? All I know is that she gets V-Power now...

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

Never knew about Top Tier.. I never go to BP, Mobil, Exxon or Citgo for political/humanitarian reasons and now I guess since Gulf and Hess aren't on the list I'll probably primarily be frequenting Shell

Hate to break it to you man, but they are all evil. BP just happened to be caught here doing what all of them do often.

[jragan]

Originally Posted by MHeavNC

I am thinking about checking that stuff out.. It isn't going to hurt anything.. I just don't know if the previous owner used crappy gas for 18,000 miles?? All I know is that she gets V-Power now...

It's not going to hurt anything.

[dekaliber]

Only reason I asked was based on some conflicting opinions in this thread: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...techron-3.html

If I do use it, should I avoid having it sit in the fuel system for too long? Would it be ideal to do this say, on a fill up before a road trip?

[jragan]

Originally Posted by dekaliber

Only reason I asked was based on some conflicting opinions in this thread: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...techron-3.html

If I do use it, should I avoid having it sit in the fuel system for too long? Would it be ideal to do this say, on a fill up before a road trip?

I've read that thread before. They only confliction is related to whether or not to rely on Techron. There is no conflicting argument there as to whether or not Techron is safe. It is safe, and BMW does recommend it -- just not in lieu of good gas.

[jragan]

Oh and you should be more worried about ethanol in your fuel and its shelf life as compared to Techron.