Should you use an oil, or fuel, additive?

There are many aftermarket additives, which you can dose into your fuel tank, or oil sump. Many of them make big claims. These vary from reducing fuel consumption and engine wear, through to solving problems without extensive dismantling. Some are valid; others, less so.

Should I use an additive?

The generic advice tends to be to check your vehicle handbook for the carmaker's advice on additives. Most manufacturers are vehemently anti-additives.

Yet, we have heard of main dealership workshops using them. Therefore, this general blanket sanctioning of additives may be for legal liability reasons, rather than technical merit.

Advice also differs between chemical companies. For instance, many blenders claim that additives may contain chemistry that undermines the additives within their engine oil. Yet, other corporations that produce both engine oil and additive supplements say that there is no such issue.

Therefore, do your research carefully, so you can make an informed decision. Look for independent reviews. Most cars possess a social media group, so you can gather advice, especially with additives that can help minimise the effects of a common foible.

Are additives safe to use?

Provided that you buy additives from a reputable brand and a trustworthy source, you minimise damaging your car, or causing a safety issue. A good indicator is if the producer has a UK-based technical helpline that you can contact.

Read the instructions carefully. Adding too much additive might even be dangerous. For instance, we have heard of owners overdosing diesel particulate filter cleaner additives into the fuel, causing the filter to overheat and melt. In extreme cases, a vehicle fire has resulted.

Therefore, use additives for their intended purpose. Never be tempted to think that more additive means a greater chance of solving the issue.

What additive should I buy?

Much depends on what you wish to achieve. Additives are available to help repair issues, without dismantling. Especially if your car is coming towards the end of its days, an additive might be a cost-effective option to extend vehicle life.

Such additives include those that plug leaking cylinder-head gaskets, or radiators. Yet, a physical repair may be a better option for a higher-value car. Some cleaning additives are so effective that professional garages recommend their use as part of regular servicing, for preventative maintenance. Again, we must emphasise that they are sourced from well-established brands.

Garages may recommend other additives, too, and for good reason. These include oil flushes, fuel injector cleaners and air intake cleaners.

As modern engines are prone to clogging up internally with contamination, and their finer tolerances mean that they are less capable of tolerating this internal build-up, such additives are well worth considering. Even so, prioritise quality and always read the instructions.

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