STP Fuel Injector Cleaner Review: Complete Guide Before Buying


stp fuel injector cleaner

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Everyone wants to keep their vehicles running in peak condition for as long as possible, and that means using something like STP fuel injector cleaner. We perform regular oil changes, examine belts and hoses, and check other fluids regularly. Yet as your car ages, deposits can build up in your fuel system. These deposits are the natural result of combustion, the process by which fuel is burned to power the engine. These deposits of carbon, gum, and varnish can eventually build up to the point that the vehicle experiences hard starts, poor performance, and lower gas mileage and fuel efficiency over time.

For a gasoline-powered vehicle suffering from any of these conditions, we suggest adding fuel injector cleaner. Fuel injector cleaners are a relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use, and convenient solution available at many retail locations and online stores. They work by removing the deposits using detergents or other additives to improve the overall condition of your fuel system. Fuel injector cleaners can help to extend the life of fuel injectors, increase gas mileage, and help with rough idling, hard starts, fouled spark plugs, lost power and acceleration, and harmful emissions.

[amazon box=”B0053ODFZU,B00092893E,B000FW7V50,B000FW7V50″ template=”table”]

What Is STP Fuel Injector Cleaner?

STP Fuel Injector Cleaner is a popular and well-known product. It chemically combines ingredients including detergents that work to break down and remove the carbon, varnish, and gum deposits that can negatively influence engine performance. Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner—the specific product chosen for this review—is made with jet fuel, which carries the active ingredients.

Like many fuel injection cleaners and fuel system additives, STP Fuel Injector Cleaner also contains PEA (polyetheramine), a compound known for effectively and efficiently cleaning intake systems in combustion engines. It removes deposits from and improves the performance of fuel injectors, carburetors, intake valves, and combustion chambers.

Adding one 5.25-ounce bottle of Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner to each tank of gas can improve rough idling, lost fuel economy, and hard starting. It can also restore other fuel system components such as the fuel gauge sensor. STP Fuel Injector Cleaner has been tested safe for O2 sensors. While not recommended for diesel engines, STP Fuel Injector Cleaner is designed for nearly any fuel-injected gasoline-powered engine.

Product Specs

Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner comes in a 5.25-ounce bottle, which is poured into the gas tank through the fill neck. It is safe for all fuel-injected gasoline engines, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, scooters, off-road vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and marine craft. The product contains jet fuel, which aids in the transport of the active ingredients.

It also contains detergent additives that work to clear the deposits from the fuel system. Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner has been tested safe for O2 sensors. Recommendations for use of this product range from one 5.25-ounce bottle after every oil change to adding with every fill-up, depending on the quality of gasoline used and miles driven.

Customer reviews show Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner also helps prevent fuel line freezing due to water and may help improve numbers on emission tests.

How it Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

  • Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner
  • Lucas LUC10013 10013 Fuel Treatment
  • Red Line (60103) Complete SI-1 Fuel System Cleaner

STP Super Concentrated Fuel Injector Cleaner

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Ease of Use

Adding one 5.25-ounce bottle of Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner after every oil change or with every fill-up is recommended.

Engine Type

Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner is safe for use in fuel-injected gasoline engines including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles, scooters, snowmobiles, and marine craft. It is not recommended for use in diesel engines.

Quality

Based on the low PEA content, low price, the convenient double pack, and stellar customer reviews.

Pros

  • Cleans deposits from fuel injectors
  • Made with jet fuel
  • Safe for O2 sensors
  • Low PEA content makes it safe for all engine components

Cons

  • Not recommended for diesel engines

Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner

[amazon box=”B00092893E”]

Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner, also called Chevron 65740, is another well-known and popular product. This fuel system cleaner removes deposits from all components of the fuel system, fuel injected or carburetted, including valves, ports, combustion chambers, and fuel sensors. The product contains Techron, a fuel additive developed by Chevron that contains PEA (polyetheramine) as an intake system cleaner.

It comes in a 20-ounce bottle and is recommended for use at every oil change, or every 3,000 miles. Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner can be used in cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, motorcycles, marine craft, lawn equipment, and any other gasoline-powered engine. It is not recommended for diesel or LPG converted engines.

Ease of Use

The recommended use of Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner is one 20-ounce bottle with every oil change (roughly every 3,000 miles).

Engine Type

Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner is recommended for only gasoline engines, not for diesel or LPG converted engines.

Quality

The lower PEA content and the focus on cleaning of the fuel sensors and the other fuel system components.

Pros

  • Cleans entire fuel system
  • Also cleans fuel sensors
  • Lower PEA content
  • Will not affect other engine components

Cons

  • Not for use in diesel or LGP converted engines

Lucas LUC10013 10013 Fuel Treatment

[amazon box=”B000FW7V50″]

Lucas Oil LUC10013 Fuel Treatment is a product formulated for both gasoline and diesel engines and heavy machinery. It contains ingredients that not only clean the fuel injectors but also conditions the fuel and helps to stabilize fuel after long periods of not being used. The product complies with federal low-sulfur-content requirements for diesel vehicles. It cleans and lubricates fuel system components and helps to reduce emissions by aiding in a more efficient and complete combustion.

The particular product we reviewed comes in a one-gallon bottle, which appears to be a nod to professional owners who use a greater quantity of the product, although it is available in smaller single-use bottles. Lucas Oil LUC10013 Fuel Treatment is designed for gasoline and diesel engines, carburetted or fuel injected. In older vehicles that require leaded fuel, the product claims to replace the need for lead without causing harmful emissions. Lucas Oil LUC10013 Fuel Treatment cleans the entire fuel system including injectors, improving engine performance and increasing mileage.

Ease of Use

It is recommended that users add 2-3 ounces of Lucas Oil LUC10013 Fuel Treatment per 10 gallons of fuel for both gasoline and diesel engines at every fill up by pouring it directly into the fuel tank, though using more is not reported to be harmful to your vehicle.

Engine Type

Lucas Oil LUC10013 Fuel Treatment can be used in either diesel or gasoline engines, both leaded and unleaded.

Quality

Based on the affordable price, zero PEA content cleaning ability, and positive customer reviews, .

Pros

  • Safe for both diesel and gasoline engines
  • Economical
  • Cleans entire fuel system
  • Reduces fuel consumption
  • Neutralizes low sulfur fuel problems

Cons

  • Large container/quantity requires storage space

Red Line (60103) Complete SI-1 Fuel System Cleaner

[amazon box=”B000CPI5Z0″]

Red Line (60103) Complete S1-1 Fuel System Cleaner is a detergent-based fuel additive that cleans all components of the fuel system including injectors/carburetor, valves, and combustion chamber. It contains a combination of high- and low-temperature detergents for more efficient fuel system cleanout. Research indicates that long-term use of the product will not cause harm to O2 sensors. While not recommended for use in diesel engines, Red Line (60103) Complete S1-1 Fuel System Cleaner can be safely used in cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, motorcycles, marine craft, scooters, and other gasoline-powered engines.

Ease of Use

Recommended use of Red Line (60103) Complete S1-1 Fuel System Cleaner is one 15-ounce bottle at every gasoline fill up.

Engine Type

Red Line (60103) Complete S1-1 Fuel System Cleaner is not recommended for use in diesel engines but can be used in any gasoline-powered vehicle including cars, trucks, SUVs, ATV, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, lawn equipment, and marine craft.

Quality

Red Line (60103) Complete S1-1 Fuel System Cleaner rated high for its effectiveness, safety, and octane need reduction.

Pros

  • Reduces octane need
  • Safe for continuous use
  • Efficiently cleans in one treatment
  • Contains synthetic upper cylinder lubricant
  • Safe for all gasoline-powered engines

Cons

  • Not recommended for use in diesel engines

Conclusion

Fuel injector cleaners are a safe, cost-effective, and convenient method of keeping your fuel system clean and deposit free, which improves engine performance, reduces harmful emissions and increases fuel economy. Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner is a well-known and popular brand of fuel additive.

The comparatively low PEA (polyetheramine) content in STP Super Concentrated Fuel Injector Cleaner makes it a slightly less aggressive cleaner than some other brands, but it also makes it safe for continued use as the low PEA content will not damage other fuel system components. Adding one 5.25-ounce bottle of Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner at every fill-up or oil change can help reduce fuel system deposits resulting in better gas mileage, improved engine performance, and longer fuel injector life.

It can also improve hard starting and spark plug fouling and restore the performance of the fuel gauge sensor. Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner is not recommended for diesel engines; Lucas Oil LUC10013 Fuel Treatment is the only product we reviewed that is recommended for use in these types of vehicles.

Each of the fuel system products we reviewed promises to clean your fuel system and make your car perform better; however, Super Concentrated STP Fuel Injector Cleaner is our recommended fuel injector cleaner based on price, customer reports regarding improvement in engine performance, and ease of use.

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