8 Best Fuel Injector Cleaner Reviews

You probably remember to have your oil changed and your filters checked, but do you realize that your fuel injection system requires to be maintained too.

There are a number of problems you can encounter with dirty fuel injectors – increased emissions, reduced fuel economy, catalytic converter damage, and poor handling.

You can easily take your car to a mechanic to get the injector cleaned, but you can save your money by handling it yourself. Let me tell you something, clean injectors burn less gas. When you think of tune-up, think of fuel injection cleaning and the benefits that follow!

Let’s get started!

Best Fuel Injector Cleaner Comparison Table

What is Fuel Injector Cleaner Used For?

A fuel injector/system cleaner as the name states is a chemical that you can add to your fuel tank to clean the fuel system.

The fuel system injectors can build a gumming film that can make them sticky, causing the delay in their timing as well as prevent them from opening completely in severe conditions. Dirty injectors can also reduce fuel atomization and engine performance.

Some injector cleaner brands include an additive, which helps to remove moisture or water in the fuel. Moisture can sometimes form in the fuel if the vehicle has been sitting for longer periods of time or you may have pumped water into the system from the fuel station.

Water can interfere with engine performance since it is denser than gas.  The fuel pump of your vehicle sits at the bottom of the gas tank. Therefore, when excessive water is present the first thing the pump will suck up is water.

A high-quality fuel injector cleaner spray will dissolve and remove carbon deposits formed from the combustion process. A fuel system cleaner will remove buildup on top of the piston, combustion chamber, around the valves and on the spark plug.

The best injector cleaner should take about 30 minutes to soak and dissolve deposits successfully. The performance should be impressive if the product is of the right quality.

The composition of Fuel Injector Cleaners

Do you really know the chemicals contained in fuel injector cleaners? They are mainly composed of chemicals that work as detergents to break down carbon and deposits in the fuel system.

The elements ensure that gum, impurities, and any other deposits are completely eliminated from the vehicle during combustion.

Most of the fuel injector cleaners you will come across in the market are manufactured from similar kinds of chemicals, but the composition may be different.

For example, gasoline fuel injector cleaners may contain some chemicals that diesel fuel injector cleaners do not have.

What is Fuel Injector Cleaner Made Of?

The main chemical elements in most injector cleaners are:

Polyether Amine

This is a very light and powerful solvent also referred to as PEA. Research suggests that any fuel system cleaner with PEA has a very good record of breaking down the toughest deposits in the injector system.

Polyether amine can get rid of very stubborn deposits from your fuel system. The best fuel system cleaner contains this chemical compound as an active ingredient. The best thing about PEA is that it does not leave residue in the injector system.

Polyisobutylene

Also known as PIB, polyisobutylene is an active ingredient in most gasoline and diesel fuel injector cleaners. This chemical element is very effective at breaking down and removing carbon and gum among other deposits.

According to automotive specialists, the polyisobutylene is very much capable of reducing occurrences of engine misfiring as well as other engine issues in automobiles.

Polyisobutylene Amine

Also referred to as PIBA, Polyisobutylene amine shares some similarities with polyisobutylene (PIB). This chemical element helps in the removal of dampness in the fuel injector.

Unlike polyisobutylene, PIBA doesn’t do a great job of eliminating deposits in the injector, such as gunk and solidified deposits. Therefore, this chemical component is normally effective for fuel injector maintenance. Not all fuel injector cleaners contain PIBA as an active ingredient.

These are the main chemical compounds that help to control fuel injector deposits, intake valve deposits, and combustion chamber deposits.

Top 8 Fuel Injector Cleaner Reviews

Many brands claim that their products are the best in the market. In fact, most of these fuel system treatments have a list of what they can do imprinted on the bottle. But the following are the actual products that work for most people.

Chevron Techron Concentrate plus Fuel System Cleaner

Techron provides you with a one tank clean-up fuel system and injector cleaner for your gas-powered auto engine. It is the best solution for new or old vehicles for every 3,000 miles.

Does Techron fuel system cleaner work? Definitely yes, it gets rid of caked deposits. Deposits accumulate with every gas mileage, and only Techron can restore the lost power as well as performance.

This product is a highly recommended fuel system cleaner for gasoline carbureted as well as spark ignition engines. It is also a good choice for gasoline hybrid vehicles and direct injected gas engines

Generally, a single treatment of this product will: remove deposits, recover lost acceleration, minimize knock and ping, alleviate cold start problems, get rid of harmful emissions, recover as well as protect fuel gauge sensor operation, and maximize fuel economy

You are advised to avoid accidental releases when using this product. Make sure there are no sources of ignition when filling the tank. Also, do not get this treatment on your clothing, on your skin, or in your eyes.

The Techron fuel system cleaner may not be the best choice for high mileage SUV. No significant improvement may be observed as far as performance is concerned.

Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Features:

Sea Foam Extreme Marine Motor Treatment

If you are searching for a universal motor treatment that will work for all engine types, look no further than the fuel injector cleaner Seafoam. It comes highly recommended by more than a thousand users.

According to the manufacturer, this treatment is compatible with the following engines: carburetor & fuel injection; diesel, 4-cycle and 2-cycle; small engines; Powersports; inboard/outboard; AG and heavy-duty; fleet; and auto and truck.

The Seafoam motor treatment will clean as well as lubricate passageways, injectors, intake valves, carb jets, pistons and cylinders.

This treatment does an amazing job of dissolving and cleaning fuel residues and oil deposits found in crankcases. It also cleans VVT actuators and timing chain tensioners. Not to mention that it controls moisture and stabilizes diesel and gas fuels.

This fuel system cleaner tool is remarkably easy to use. One 16 fluid ounces bottle is capable of treating up to sixteen gallons of diesel or gasoline fuel. You can even use one ounce for every gallon when stabilizing for long-term storage.

Also, the Seafoam motor treatment is made up of petroleum-based lubricating and cleaning ingredients, which will not harm your fuel system or engine components. So, you should not worry too much in case you exceed the normal amounts

However, this treatment may not be the best choice for high mileage car. It seems to be too aggressive and may lead to a loss of oil pressure.

According to OSHA regulations, this treatment is considered hazardous. This product is considered highly flammable, fatal when swallowed, may cause dizziness and drowsiness, and may cause severe eye irritation.

Sea Foam Extreme Marine Features:

BG Products 44K Fuel System Cleaner

The quality of gasoline is inconsistent, which can easily result into buildups of carbon deposits, which may lead to inefficient combustion and ignition as well as poor power output.

Luckily there is a superior solution for your problems, which is called BG Products 44K Fuel System Cleaner.

Unmatched for its cleaning ability in just a single tank of fuel, BG 44K works in both extreme temperatures of combustion chambers as well as during cool-down.

The BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner will keep engine components as clean and fully functioning as the day your car left the factory, will minimize emissions, and enhance both fuel economy and power

Don’t be confused with all the other fuel additive claims, BG 44K has been a leader in technically advanced products specifically formulated for gasoline engines. Beware, the BG 44K is a hazardous product.

The health hazard concerns are clearly indicated on the container. Apart from being suspected to cause cancer, this treatment can cause serious eye irritation and inhalation problems.

BG 44K Features:

Lucas LUC10013 Fuel Treatment

Lucas LUC10013 is the ideal fuel injector cleaner for diesel as well as gasoline engines. This is a 3 in 1 treatment (upper cylinder lubricant with fuel conditioner and injector cleaner). It is a strong blend of additives and oils with zero solvents.

This is also a suitable fuel system cleaner for carbureted engines. It provides your fuel injectors and fuel system with exactly what they need, which include a mixture of super slick additives and oils with a superior detergent action for maximum efficiency.

This fuel treatment will remove all deposits and lubricate your injectors and carburetor. This ensures that your fuel burns more efficiently for reduced fuel consumption and increased power.

This formula is compatible with diesel engines because it meets the requirements of federal low sulfur content for diesel vehicles, marine diesel equipment, locomotive, and non-road engines. It also defuses the harmful properties of low sulfur diesel.

You should avoid eye contact, inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion of the Lucas fuel treatment. You should wash thoroughly with water in case of any ingestion or contact. Learn more from the Lucas fuel injector cleaner SDS.

The Lucas treatment may not be a suitable choice for modern plugs because it may foul the plugs. However, it doesn’t seem to be harmful to the engine components of older cars.

Lucas Features:

Red Line 60103 Fuel System Cleaner

If you are searching for the best fuel system cleaning tool that offers superior cleaning power for your gasoline engine, look no further than the Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner.

No other fuel system treatment works the way Red Line does to remove harmful emissions. As Red Line flows through your fuel system, it cleans important engine parts and removes deposits from the combustion chamber.

Its powerful low-temp and high-temp detergents are specifically formulated for removing buildups from the combustion chamber, vale, carburetors, and fuel injectors. The powerful detergents help to varnish formation and reduce gum.

This fuel treatment is very effective at improving fuel stability, which means you may require less octane. It is incorporated with synthetic upper cylinder lubricant, and it is recommended for oxygenated fuel.

There are health hazards you should be concerned about. Direct skin or eye contact may lead to skin or eye irritation. You should use lots of water to clean off the formula from your skin or eye in case of an accident.

I would not advise you to use this fuel injector cleaner with diesel fuel engines. It may reduce mileage by approximately 2 mpg depending on your engine type.

Red Line Features:

Royal Purple Max Clean Fuel System Cleaner & Stabilizer

The fuel injector cleaner Royal Purple is a 3 in 1 max-cleaner plus stabilizer that combines three benefits in one application. It not only opens and cleans fuel injectors, but it also stabilizes the fuel for increased horsepower as well as enhanced gas mileage.

This is a high performing fuel additive that infiltrates and cleans combustion chambers, intake valves, carburetors, and injectors to reduce emissions and restore fuel economy.

The Royal Purple Max-Clean is formulated and certified by CARB / EPA for use in diesel and gasoline engines. It is also recommended for use with 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines. It is also safe for specialized emissions equipment.

This fuel injector cleaner worth it, thanks to its unfailing performance after just a single treatment. According to the manufacturer, the Max-Clean can enhance horsepower by about 2.6% and fuel economy by about 3.2%.

You are advised to use 20 fluid ounces of Royal Purple Max-Clean for every 10,000 mile interval. You should use one ounce for every two gallons in 2-cycle engines.

Like all fuel additives, the Royal Purple poses health risks, such as eye and skin irritation. You should exercise caution during use and have accidental release measures in place. Always use plenty of water to clean off the treatment from your skin or eyes.

This treatment may provide you with more power, but a noticeable decrease in mileage is possible, depending on the type of engine and fuel you are using.

Royal Purple Max Clean Features:

Liqui Moly Fuel Injection Cleaner

Originally manufactured in Germany, the fuel injector cleaner Liqui Moly relies on molybdenium disulfide. This is one of the primary ingredients in this fuel treatment.

If you are searching for the best gasoline fuel injector cleaner with a 300 ml container capacity, look no further than the Liqui Moly.

The Liqui Moly Jectron is very good at expelling sulfur buildup, carbon deposits, and moisture, which are harmful to your fuel injectors as well as your engine.

This treatment will improve fuel consumption and engine response time upon idling or accelerating. Ultimately, it gets rid of exhaust pollution and restores performance as well as drivability.

There are a few concerns, though. For example, if you are the kind of driver who doesn’t regularly change the oil as required, it is likely to experience heavy clogging in both the engine and fuel injectors with the use of this treatment.

Not all cars will experience proper fuel efficiency and throttle response improvement with the use of Liqui Moly Jectron if necessary and critical fuel system repairs have not been done.

This is a combustible liquid and vapour, which can easily cause skin and eye irritation in case of accidental release. It is also very fatal if ingested, it can result into target organ damage.

Liqui Moly Features:

How to Pick the Best Fuel System Cleaner 2019?

I have been driving a car for many years now. So, I have come across many fuel additives, and sometimes it’s harder to differentiate the quality of one brand from the other.

Choosing a decent fuel system cleaner today is not as simple as most people would imagine, especially when you are faced with more than 100 odd choices. Many of these products are of marginal utility.

In today’s competitive market, different brands have come up with unique ways of convincing you. But the truth is that only a handful of these products will actually meet your expectations.

Here are the things you have to consider in order to choose the top fuel injector cleaner among the many you will find in the market:

Diesel or Gasoline Fuel Injector Cleaner

Usually, diesel engines need fuel injector cleaner more compared to gasoline engines simply because they are fitted with more properties that require protection. Therefore, you have to choose a fuel system cleaner that works best for your car engine and fuel.

Between diesel and gasoline, diesel is the most preferred choice because it is highly economical. As a result, most businesses would prefer to store lots of diesel for future use.

Therefore, diesel fuel is likely to be stored for longer periods than gasoline. The longer diesel is kept in storage, the more probable it’s to generate problems which will affect the quality of the fuel as well as the functioning of the engine.

Hence, the need for an effective fuel system cleaner is greater for diesel fuel engines than gasoline. You would probably need a fuel system cleaner with PEA. I wouldn’t recommend buying a gasoline fuel injector cleaner for a diesel fuel system.

Normally, most fuel system cleaners are formulated to work for both gasoline and diesel engines. However, there are some brands that work only for diesel or gasoline and not the other way around.

Know Your Engine Components

It all starts at the fuel pump. The work of the fuel pump is to pump as well as maintain fuel pressure inside your fuel system all the way to the tip of your fuel injectors.

The way your fuel injectors work is that when you turn the key to the run/start position, you send a constant battery voltage through a fuse to all your fuel injectors. The way your fuel injectors are turned on and off is through the ground wire which is connected to your ECM.

The injector placement may differ from one vehicle model to another with respect to the type of fuel injection system.

Port fuel injectors are equipped with a microscopic orifice engineered to provide an atomized sprig of fuel. Any deposit buildup results into an irregular spray pattern, which creates large droplets that are difficult to combust.

These deposits will deteriorate the overall performance of your engine. They will also cause your engine to stall and hesitate, resulting into poor fuel economy.

The conditions may be worse for a direct fuel injection systems. Direct fuel injectors that are dirty may cause hot spots in the engine. Hot spots may lead to pre-combustion followed by an increased compression ratio.

Know Your Formulas

Fuel injector cleaner worth it? You can only know the resourcefulness of a given fuel system cleaner if you are aware of its formulas and how they perform as far as deposit and moisture removal is concerned.

Usually, fuel injector cleaners consist of one or more formulas that are capable of cleaning your fuel system to remove existing deposits and prevent future buildups.

The formulas are effective at removing buildups from fuel injectors, intake valves, and carburetors along with fuel system components.

Understanding the formulas contained in a fuel injector cleaner is extremely important. Basically, you have to know the cleansing power and treatment rate of the ingredients.

You are likely to come across products that require to be filled up into the fuel system every now and then for them to be effective. I would stay away from such products because they’re likely to contain weaker formulas.

The best fuel injector cleaner is one that contains powerful formulas with a dose rate that has a longer interval in between applications. Also, make sure the formulas in the cleaner are appropriate for your engine.

Cleaning Potency, Concentration, and Container Capacity

How fast a fuel injector cleaner works, will depend on what you will be using. Store shelves are usually lined with numerous products alleging to boost mileage as well as the performance by removing all traces of deposits from the fuel injectors.

Theoretically, this is what you will believe if you are planning to use a given product for the first time. Regardless of how convincing a fuel injector cleaner review is, you have to be certain about the cleaning potency of the ingredients

You should look for fuel system cleaner with PEA. In fact a high concentration of polyether amine means that the fuel injector cleaner has reliable cleaning potency. You will be probably wasting your money if the product does not contain PEA.

There is also the choice of container capacity. I find smaller container capacity easy to pour into the tank than larger ones. A larger container would require you to measure the ideal amount, which can be time-consuming.

Cost Efficiency

Because a single injector can cost up to several hundred dollars, arbitrarily replacing injectors when they are not functioning properly, especially on multiport systems, can be an expensive proposition.

If injectors are electrically defective, replacement is the only alternative (which is pricey). But if the injector balance test indicates that some injectors are restricted or if your car is exhibiting stalling, rough idle, or uneven acceleration, then injector cleaning is the cheaper alternative.

Now, how do you make sure that you buy the best fuel system cleaner additive that will not deteriorate the performance of your vehicle?

The price of the best fuel injector cleaner varies from one brand to another with respect to container capacity. You can find a 6 ounces fluid bottle for as low as $7 and a 15 fluid ounces bottle for as low as $110.

You can try to save as much as you can, but the bottom line is that you need a fuel system cleaner that has the correct formulas/ingredients. Therefore, you might have to spend a little more depending on your car model and fuel injector cleaner brand.

Fuel Injector Cleaner Alternatives

Fuel System Cleaner vs Fuel Injector Cleaner

The two phrases are normally used interchangeably in the automotive communities, which should probably not be the case.

Differentiating a fuel system cleaner from a fuel injector cleaner can be confusing for some car owners, because they both not only go into the fuel tank but also follow a similar path once in the fuel tank.

Most fuel additives come with different amounts of cleaning properties. For example, the STP fuel injector cleaner does a good job of removing carbon deposits, while the STP fuel system cleaner has additional ingredients for getting rid of varnish.

I would prefer to use a fuel system cleaner to treat a fuel system that is experiencing above-normal exhaust emissions and poor acceleration.

Fuel Injector Cleaner vs Fuel Stabilizer

While a fuel injector cleaner spray is suitable for getting rid of deposits in fuel injectors and intake ports and valves, a fuel stabilizer helps in conserving the fuel and at the same ensures that the engine starts without stalling.

The best fuel system cleaner may have a fuel stabilizer as an additive. This type of a product will not only help remove carbon buildup from your fuel system but also help to keep your fuel fresh and unpolluted during infrequent use.

Fuel System Cleaner vs Octane Booster

A fuel system cleaner cleans and conditions the fuel injector nozzle, screens and filters fuel lines and metering valves, which help to restore optimum performance.

On the other hand, an octane booster increases octane levels, stops knock and ping. It also removes deposits around valve seats and faces, which assures faster acceleration.

However, these two fuel additives can be combined. For example, there are some brands that manufacture 2 in 1 product (fuel injector cleaner plus octane booster).

This kind of a product does not only clean injectors, but it also restores mileage and horsepower while boosting octane levels.

Fuel Injector Cleaner vs Premium Gas

Which is better, premium gas or fuel injector cleaner? This is a debatable question that can attract so many views from drivers of different car models.

Some of you may think that using premium gas on your car would help clean the fuel system and boost fuel economy and acceleration, but that’s not usually the case.

Adding premium gas to an engine running on regular gas will not do much to clean carbon buildups from your injectors or any other components of your fuel system.

Regular and premium gas contain almost similar detergent additives, and the major difference between the two is the octane rating. Premium gas has higher resistance to untimely fuel ignition when compared to regular gas, thanks to its higher octane rating.

If you want to clean your fuel system effectively and economically without paying more, I recommend you settle for fuel injector cleaner for gasoline while using the affordable regular gas.

Techron Fuel System Cleaner vs Seafoam

Which is the better fuel system cleaner additive between Chevron Techron and Seafoam? I have used both of these fuel system treatments, and they offer amazing outcomes.

The very first thing that you should note about these fuel system treatments is that Seafoam has wider compatibility than Techron. Seafoam can be added to gas and diesel engines, while Techron is mainly suitable for gas engines.

Seafoam may not be suitable for oxygen sensors and engines that have preexisting issues that need to be dealt with. You should only use Seafoam only if your engine has no problems, and make sure you follow each instruction carefully.

I recommend regular use of Techron as a fuel system cleaner, but use Seafoam in the fuel system, vacuum lines, and crankcase.  And you should not, by any means, use Techron on your diesel engine.

Also, Seafoam is safer for your fuel system and engine in case you exceed the ideal amount. This is so since it is made up of petroleum-based lubricating and cleaning ingredients that will hardly damage your fuel system or engine components.

Techron Fuel System Cleaner vs Lucas

Both Techron and Lucas are among the favorites for most drivers, especially those with vehicles that run on gas. However, there are some significant performance differences between these two that are worth noting.

Lucas works with both gas and diesel engines, but Techron is only suitable for gas-powered engines. Lucas comes with additional additives, including upper cylinder lubricant and fuel conditioner.

Personally, I wasn’t very impressed with Techron during first-time use, but my engine was really dirty. I think it probably takes more than one tank full to clean your fuel system of deposits even though the manufacturer claims that it takes only one tank full.

With Techron, you will achieve a significant amount of cleaning, but there will be a lot more cleaning left to be done. Therefore, be prepared to use this product a few numbers of times in order to experience significant changes.

I ran a similar test with Lucas system cleaner to see how effective it can be when compared to Techron. After running a full bottle in the tank, I did notice a significant amount of cleaning on my cylinders, but not as per my expectations.

Lucas fuel system cleaner seemed to do more cleaning on parts or components that were fairly clean, but not so much on hard deposits areas. As I said, you would require more than one tank full to clean your fuel system properly.

I would probably go with Techron for my gasoline powered engine and Lucas for my diesel engine.

Redline Fuel System Cleaner vs Techron

When it comes to cleaning buildups of carbon from your engine and fuel system components, I highly recommend Techron but only for gas-powered engines.

Running a tank full with Techron has yielded some pretty amazing results for me after a single tank, but not as impressive as I had expected.

Just a month ago I decided to spice things up and switched from Techron to Red Line for my gas engine. The results I achieved after the first full tank were somehow amazing.

I took some photos of my cylinders, and the deposit cleaning was fairly impressive. I could notice from some cylinders that the Red Line fuel treatment did little to remove the buildup, though. But the results improved over time.

These two treatments will be impressive for your gas engine but avoid Techron when dealing with a diesel engine. Also, you should prevent Techron if your engine has issues. I suggest you have those issues fixed before using Techron.

Techron Fuel System Cleaner vs Gumout

Techron and Gumout are among the greatest advancements in gasoline additive technology in a long time. In fact, both brands claim that they clean all the way down into the engine combustion chamber.

But I have a few different views concerning these two. I have had no noticeable issues while using Techron, but my car started acting out the moment I switched to Gumout.

I could not exactly figure out what’s wrong with Gumout. According to the manufacturer, it is supposed to be very effective against buildups given the fact that it contains PEA as a key ingredient.

You should not limit your choice, you can try out Gumout, but you should make sure there are no issues with your fuel system and engine components.

Gumout Fuel System Cleaner vs Seafoam

I used to run Seafoam through my Jeep every six months, but the results weren’t as great as the ones I obtained from the additive I used on my car.

I checked out some suggestions from online forums, and I decided to try out Gumout for the second time, but this time on my Jeep and not my car.

Apparently, Gumout is better than Seafoam because it has a reliable amount of PEA as the main ingredient, which is remarkable at getting rid of hardcore carbon deposits.

Gumout presented some exceptional performance compared to Seafoam before I finally switched to Techron. I used two bottles before I stopped and the results were satisfying.

When I did a comparison cleaning test on my cylinders, Seafoam was not as great as Gumout in removing hard deposits.

Personally, I would say the performance of these two will vary greatly depending on your type of engine and grade of fuel. Not forgetting any existing issues with your engine and fuel system components.

Gumout Fuel System Cleaner vs Lucas

I did some research on these two concerning their performance, and the results are quite impressive. The very first thing that you should note is that Lucas is a 3 in 1 solution as opposed to Gumout which is mainly a fuel system cleaner.

They are both oily in appearance, but Lucas is oilier than Gumout. According to the manufacturer, Lucas will clean, lubricate, and condition your engine and fuel system components. On the other hand, Gumout will clean and condition.

A one-on-one test shows that both Lucas and Gumout do a remarkable job regarding carbon deposit removal, but Lucas does a great job of lubricating components as opposed to Gumout.

BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner vs Seafoam

The battle between BG 44K and Seafoam is fierce. These two stand out as some of the best fuel injector cleaners in the automotive communities.

These two are the big choices for many big companies. They both have a good track record of restoring performance as well as fuel economy.

If you were to choose between BG 44K and Seafoam for your diesel engine, I would recommend that you settle for Seafoam. It has an easy to use container, and its petroleum-based ingredients will not damage your diesel engine.

I would not recommend these products for high mileage cars, though. The automotive communities seem to be complaining when they use them in high mileage cars.

Lucas Fuel System Cleaner vs Seafoam

One of the most impressive attributes of these two is that they are both compatible with diesel and gas powered engines. They will both relieve your vehicle of emission issues.

Using Seafoam or Lucas isn’t hard; however, there are specific instructions you have to follow to make sure that the individual fuel injector cleaner works.

I have used both of these treatments in the past. Personally, I find Seafoam to be a better choice because of its cleaning strength and simplicity of use.

However, I have gone through a number of automotive communities and forums, and a significant number of drivers testify that they had remarkable improvements in mileage and car performance with Lucas.

Read the individual fuel injector cleaner review of each of these treatments in this guide, then you can decide for yourself.

Red Line Fuel System Cleaner vs Seafoam

One of these two can be your best diesel fuel injector cleaner. They are both compatible with gas and diesel engines, and they can be used after every few thousand miles.

If you take a closer look at the composition of these two, Red Line has more ingredients (distillates, polyetheramine (PEA), naphtha, petroleum, and ethylbenzene) as opposed to Seafoam (hydrocarbon blend and isopropanol).

The composition alone is enough to tell you that Red Line is more likely to do a better job on your dirty injectors and other components.

Seafoam users should try out the Red Line and experience real change in fuel economy, mileage, emissions, and general vehicle performance.

Redline Fuel System Cleaner vs Lucas

Redline claims to deliver near perfect efficiency in just one full tank treatment, which is almost true in practical. But you will still need more than one treatment to get the job done.

If you take a closer look at the SDS of these two fuel treatments, you will notice that Redline has a higher concentration of PEA (28-34) compared to Lucas (10-30). By default, this makes Redline superior than Lucas when it comes to depositing removal.

According to automotive communities and forums, Lucas seems to be a better choice for reducing nitrous oxide emissions. This makes it a greener option compared to Redline. But Lucas doesn’t offer much help with improvement of mileage.

Royal Purple Fuel System Cleaner vs Lucas

The Royal Purple SDS does not contain any information regarding the PEA concentration, but Lucas does. As far as deposit removal goes, Lucas is more promising than Royal Purple.

However, the automotive communities and forums seem to have different experiences. Most drivers claim that Royal Purple is very effective at getting rid of CO and hydrocarbon emissions.

But most drivers in the automotive communities seem not to experience any significant mileage improvement with Lucas when compared to Royal Purple.

STP Fuel System Cleaner vs Techron

Both Techron and STP maximize engine power at a molecular level. They both have proven formulas with outstanding cleaning power that will work on harmful deposits.

Although most of you would prefer the Techron fuel system cleaner, the customers of STP in the automotive communities are satisfied by the performance of STP.

The one thing that makes STP stand out when compared to Techron is the fact that it is a super concentrated fuel injector cleaner, which is specifically made for stubborn deposits.

Between the two, I would go with Techron when I need an effective fuel system cleaner and STP when I need an effective fuel injector cleaner.

How Often Should I Use Fuel Injector Cleaner?

When to use fuel injector cleaner depends on how many times you drive your vehicle, and the quality of fuel you are using.

You should consider servicing and cleaning your fuel injector system after every fifteen to thirty thousand miles of driving. This duration can vary greatly with respect to your car model. You can always confirm with your service manual.

Normally, the main attributes that can determine the mileage and efficiency of your car’s engine is the health of its fuel injectors. A fuel injection system that exhibits lowered gas mileage does usually require cleaning.

Frequently Asked Question

Conclusion

Will the best fuel injector cleaner work? Yes, some brands will work effectively while others just give a fairly simple result. There are many bold assertions for products that cost between five to fifteen US dollars, but the results aren’t always impressive

What does the research say? According to the research I conducted, most people in the automotive communities and forums were able to observe a significant removal of carbon deposits when they checked they cylinders after running a fuel additive.

Most fuel injector cleaner brands claim that they increase gas mileage by an average of 2.3% and improve acceleration. But only a handful of the products are capable of such results, and those are the products I have reviewed in this guide.

This is a clear indication that the best fuel system cleaner works. In my experience, the best fuel system treatments that work wonders do normally contain PEA and other additional ingredients (such as a lubricant and/or a stabilizer).

So, what’s the verdict? The best fuel system cleaner additive is necessary for the maintenance of your modern car. However, you cannot rely on this product as a permanent fix for your engine and fuel system problems, especially if you are dealing with an old vehicle.

Last update on 2023-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API