Car Servicing Question - Fuel Additive/ Upper Engine Cleaner

mmd on 19/01/2023 - 22:52
Last edited 20/01/2023 - 18:10 by 1 other user

Hi All,
Thanks everyone for the comments in my original post about servicing a car based on [time or kms].

I'm going through my service handbook and noticed Upper engine Cleaner and Subaru Fuel additive is meant to be performed at each service.

However, all the mechanics that I've been haven't specified that this was performed during the service on the receipt.
Some of the services were just oil change/filter and there has been a couple of major ones (coolant/rear diff/brake fluid)

How important are these two items?

A little bit about the car/driving habits:

I own a non high yield investment car. It is 8 years old and it has ~95k on the odometer.
It's a Toyota 86/BRZ well outside warranty.
Luckily work is close and it's about a 20 minute drive, with a small amount on the freeway.
I drive approximately 12,000kms each year

I have just done an oil change and the spark plugs will be changed at the next service when it tips over 100k.

Car aficionados:

What should I get done at the next service? See attached pic of what has been performed since I've stopped going to Subaru.
car service. Link to service handbook

And yes shame on me for an auto BRZ, hahah

Cheers in advance

Automotive Car Subaru

Comments

  • oscargamer on 19/01/2023 - 22:54
    +3

    Yes to upper engine cleaner

    No to fuel additive

    • Brian McGee on 20/01/2023 - 08:23

      so no to manufacturer reccommendations?

      • oscargamer on 20/01/2023 - 08:56
        +1

        Yes

      • brendanm on 20/01/2023 - 10:49

        The manufacturer recommends the snake oil "fuel treatment" because it's a massive amount of profit for no effort.

  • cashless on 19/01/2023 - 23:21
    +2

    fuel addictive

    Yes, it can be, so consider buying an EV next time

  • pegaxs on 19/01/2023 - 23:23
    +1

    They forgot to add the snake oil option as well…

    And better buy some lube for the spark plug change on a 86/BRZ…

  • Gunnar on 19/01/2023 - 23:36
    +2

    In my WRX I used the UEC but not really the fuel additive. Subaru’s OEM UEC is a good product too.

    The UEC used to pull out a lot of carbon build up. It’s normal for all Subaru boxer engines (ie having carbon deposits) even when new. Had the car since brand new for 7 years (no engine mods) and did the UEC at every service as well as when I short serviced it (ie I’d change the oil before and after I tracked the car and did a UEC on each - it was overkill but amazed me how much carbon would come out)

    • mmd on 19/01/2023 - 23:39

      ok cheers legend ill look into it.

  • dcep on 19/01/2023 - 23:55

    It's notorious that these direct injection engine gets real filthy overtime.

    The cleaner and additives are to minimize carbon buildups until you get it open up for blasting.

    • mmd on 20/01/2023 - 00:00

      One mechanic said the ATF drop was dirty and suggested a full engine flush.
      Would that be a reason for the cleaners?

      • dcep on 20/01/2023 - 00:03
        +4

        ATF is Auto-Trans Fluid for the gearbox yeah ?

        Nothing to do with engine / cleaner / additives.

    • brendanm on 20/01/2023 - 10:51

      86 uses port injection as well as direct injection. No fuel additive ok the world will stop carbon build up on the back of valves in a direct injection engine, as the fuel doesn't touch the back of the valves as it does in port injection. So the fuel treatment is even more "snake oily" that usual for a di car.

      • dcep on 20/01/2023 - 12:26

        i pump e10 to 'clean' my engine hehehe

        or at least it burns cleaner with less soot

  • evilchups on 20/01/2023 - 00:48
    +1

    Yes to UEC for subarus…. fuel additive not require, jump pump in good fuel

    • Brian McGee on 20/01/2023 - 08:24

      What is "good fuel"?

      • Muzeeb on 20/01/2023 - 08:49
        +1

        BP?

        • Brian McGee on 20/01/2023 - 10:28

          You just confused 'good' with 'most expensive'.

      • EightImmortals on 20/01/2023 - 09:36

        98

        • Brian McGee on 20/01/2023 - 10:27

          98 is the minimum requirement.

  • RockyRaccoon on 20/01/2023 - 09:05
    -1

    For "Fuel addictive" you need a 1500-hp Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport, (8 mpg)
    (In case it gets fixed post originally said addictive rather than additive)

    • Muzeeb on 20/01/2023 - 09:12

      I miss that sound of a good Mazda Wankel. You just don't hear them anymore (and for good reason) but not much beats that unique "sewing machine on heat" exhaust note. Always wanted an RX3 sedan when I was 18.

      Edit:my reply makes no sense as above post was edited while I was typing 🫤

      • brendanm on 20/01/2023 - 10:52

        I used to have a 20b, amazing engine, 20l/100 in mixed use though 😂. Sounded so good. My 13bs could get around 10-12l/100 of not going hard though, not too bad really.

        • Muzeeb on 20/01/2023 - 11:08

          Awesome. I spent the last 20 minutes watching listening to RX2/3's on YouTube. I purchased an RS2000 instead. Twin 44mm Webers and hot cam mods were a b!tch to keep in tune. It went alright but didn't sound half as good as a rotary.

      • RockyRaccoon on 20/01/2023 - 18:08

        sorry about the edit, i thought most ozbargainers would be too young to understand a rotary's fuel economy - so i changed it…

      • Baysew on 20/01/2023 - 18:12

        Edit:my reply makes no sense as above post was edited while I was typing

        It's far more interesting to hear about your Mazda anyway.

  • Bid Sniper on 20/01/2023 - 11:04

    Long time Subaru owner, just do it next time. Not that important

  • JIMB0 on 20/01/2023 - 15:29
    +3

    Get them to rotate the pistons on the next service so they don't wear out on the bottom.

  • Hackney on 20/01/2023 - 17:59

    Car manufacturers will not endorse a ‘fuel’ additive OR a ‘upper’ engine cleaner.It is not needed in these modern vehicles.It is a nice profit earner for a dealership ,they put a ‘fuel’ additive in a vehicle I owned quite a few years ago without consulting me.I refused to pay for it.It ended up being taken off the bill.Don’t waste your money on this stuff.

    • Brick50 on 20/01/2023 - 18:49
      +1

      Subaru upper engine cleaner is different to all other "additives". It's not like injector cleaner, it definitely helps

      • Hackney on 22/01/2023 - 06:31

        ‘Different’.They are all the same.It is an upsell of their products nothing else.Nice little money earner.Don’t be conned.If you are that concerned go to a higher grade of fuel(95 or 98).

  • Johnskiee on 20/01/2023 - 18:58

    Upper engine cleaner and fuel additive aren't super important for your car. They're meant to help with engine performance and fuel efficiency, but they might not make a huge difference for your car. It's always good to check with the manufacturer's recommendations or with a mechanic you trust to see what they suggest for your specific car.

    Since you're changing your spark plugs soon, it's a good idea to make sure all other routine maintenance is up to date, like oil and filter changes, tire rotations and balancing, and brake inspections. It's also a good idea to have a mechanic take a look at your car to check for any potential issues that might need attention. This will help you catch any problems early and save you from bigger repairs down the road.

  • Chocobros on 29/01/2023 - 18:53

    How important are the UEC and Fuel additive?
    - The manufacturer recommended it so not unimportant. Would be beneficial for maintaining fuel efficiency. May not be a bad idea to do especially if not too expensive (and if it is why not just buy the fuel additive yourself and tip it into the fuel tank?)

    If you are going to use it best to use fuel additive before you change sparkplugs and close to next oil change as some of it can get into the oil and you don't want it sitting in the engine oil whilst driving 6k+Kms

    GDI vs port injection is a very valid comment in that it will be less useful to use fuel additive in GDI as it won't tackle back of valves - so maybe less essential.

    In terms of snake oil comments it's the same old comments but having used fuel additives myself some are worth their weight in gold. Liqui Moly fuel conditioner (gold can), nulon petrol injector cleaner and stp super concentrated injector cleaner worked well for me - went from 8.5 - 9L/100km to 6.95 - 7.5L/100km and its consistently at the better fuel mileage now

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