Chevron Press Junket in San Fran!

Editor

This weekend, I took a tour of Chevron’s research and technology campus in Richmond, CA. I was there with a bunch of other journalists, and while it wasn’t the most riveting experience I’ve ever had, it was definitely informative. Along with the tribology lab—where they study the effects of friction on metal—we got to see both the engine research center and the outdoor area where cars are put through tests intended to mimic real-world driving conditions. Basically, the company wanted to demonstrate to the assembled media that it’s Techron Concentrate Plus fuel additive cleans engines better than anything else, and they had tons of documentation—before and after pics of dirty/clean valves and such—to prove it. To be perfectly honest, I was was already kind of inclined to believe them, because when my Dad’s Volvo 240 developed an irritating hesitation problem, the dealership recommended using the Techron treatment. It actually fixed the issue, and the old man swore by the stuff after that.

By far my favorite part of the tour was the Q & A with the engineers afterward. They all acknowledged that making a gas treatment sexy—especially when customers are already ruffled about paying four dollars a gallon—is a pretty tall order, and that most consumers will probably decide on which gas additive purchase based on the picture on the label. I suggested putting a dragon with fire coming out of its nostrils on the Techron packaging, but I can’t imagine we’ll be seeing that suggestion implemented any time soon. As we were leaving, we were informed that Chevron was sending us all a case of Techron, and I’m totally going to use it in my Jag. What are your experiences with fuel additives, and are there any that you swear by?

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Posted at 12:06 am in Chevron, John Coyle, Techron

Comments

Nes
Sep 17, 2008 at 11:19 pm

I’ll try that HemiPlus! I didn’t know that’s how you had to put the cleaner in! Thanks!

HemiPlus
Sep 17, 2008 at 4:14 pm

“Does anyone have any positive feedback on this kind of products?”

I’ve been using the Chevron Fuel System Cleaner with Techron for years and recommend it to anyone who asks. There are a few fuel injector cleaning machines out there where you have to remove the fuel injectors and install them into these cleaning machines. The manufacturer and instructors (for operating these machines) have said that the best way to clean the entire fuel system including injectors, short of using their machines, is to use the following procedure once a year or every ten thousand miles:
-Near empty tank, add one bottle of cleaner and fill the tank half full.
-Drive tank to near empty and add one bottle of cleaner and fill the tank half full.
-Drive tank to near empty and add one bottle of cleaner and fill the tank completely full.
The only cleaner they suggest is Chevron Fuel System Cleaner with Techron, everything is pointless. They also said using the product year round does little good other than spending your money.
I’m sorry I don’t have names to go with the above info.

Anonymous
Sep 17, 2008 at 4:10 pm

I’ve been a user of Lucas for a long time, but I think i’ll try Techron the next time I get some gas.

Chris Burdick
Sep 16, 2008 at 8:16 pm

Good to meet you at the event, it was interesting, to say the least. I’m looking forward to getting the case and trying it out in my 300ZX. Suzanne had nothing but good things to say about it, so it’s definitely worth a try.

See you at SEMA!

Derrick
Sep 16, 2008 at 1:18 pm

I’ve always used STP, works fine so far.

Nes
Sep 16, 2008 at 6:03 am

Does anyone have any positive feedback on this kind of products?

7urtle
Sep 16, 2008 at 5:17 am

they work kinda

Nes
Sep 16, 2008 at 4:13 am

I’m tempted to use this one! just saw it today at my local pep boys and was going to buy it but decided not to at the last minute!

fortyfordsedan
Sep 16, 2008 at 3:49 am

I have used Techron and Napa Eklin brand. My old Chevy Blazer would get hesitation about every 2500 miles and it made it run like a top for a while. I would say it works well, just make sure that it is concentrated enough for how much fuel you have in your tank. Most injector cleaners seem to be for about 12 gallons of fuel.

Suzanne Denbow
Sep 16, 2008 at 1:00 am

I personally swear by Techron, which I discovered to be the most innovative, efficient additive on the market after I was flown to California and enjoyed the company of kings

No, in all seriousness, I jumped on the Techron train after the government started adding ethanol to the fuel supply, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I am currently awaiting my free case of Techron with bated breath.

___nes___
Sep 16, 2008 at 12:12 am

I used some fuel injector cleaner and it worked but for about 2 weeks but after that it was back to normal. The package claim the change for at least 3 months. I forgot what brand it was (famous brand that’s all i remember) But they somewhat work. For what i hear the LUCAS products work like they say.