fuel additives

[gfunkusarelius]

i am pumping gas at kroger (10 cents off with my card, woohoo (and yes i know they track my every move with it)) and they now have a little video monitor that thries to sell you additives for your fuel as you pump...i am wondering if anyone has info on these additives, how much harm, good or indifference they produce...i stay the heck away myself, but maybe i am just too skeptical?

 

[Jimbo07]

Which additives? What are they for?

 

[This Guy]

Depending on the age and condition of your engine, and the type of gas you normally use, I think an occasional bottle of fuel line/fuel injector cleaner is a good idea. Helps insure a good flow of gas and keeps the engine peppy, baring any other problems.

If you run a gas/ethanol mixture, you probably don't need to bother. Even 10% ethanol will do a fairly good job of cleaning your fuel system IMHO.

I learned the cleaning power of ethanol when I unknowingly filled up with a 10% mixture (didn't see the sticker till I was already pumping). Was an older car. Was making a fairly long trip, and got about 50-60 miles up the road, and it stalled. Problem ended up being a clogged fuel filter. Appears the ethanol cleaned my fuel system good. Apparently something I should have done some time before that trip ;-)

 

[Jimbo07]

Also, if you're using a low-level ethanol blend, you shouldn't need to add those little bottles of gas line antifreeze in the winter.

 

[gfunkusarelius]

i apologize for not knowing the particular additives, i have done some googling and havent found out what kind they add- next time i hit the pump i will write it down. i know there was a webpage for their system.
thanks for the feedback, tho. just in general, i have stayed away from additives because i was afraid it was a scam that they can make easy money on- probably based largely on the fact that lube shops always try to get people to clean various systems every time they get their oil changed.