question about synthetic fuel system cleaner

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by taxce, Dec 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM.

  1. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

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    I stopped by a new place to get my oil changed today (Jiffy Lube) and was caught off guard when they told me I should spend another $35 for their "fresh start treatment package." The bill I was given describes the treatment in more detail: "special package includes throttle muscle oil sys clean FX805 syn fuel system cleaner." This is the first time I've ever been told I needed this when getting an oil change. I found myself wondering if this was really something I needed or just a way for them to make extra money, but the employee pushed it so strongly, talking about the amount of miles I had on my car, and how the system gets gunked up over time, that I thought I had probably better purchase it.

    Does anyone know what this is? Is it actually necessary? or if not necessary, is still it advisable to get a system cleaning of this kind every now and then, and if so, how often does one really need to have it done?
     
    #1 taxce, Dec 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's snake oil!
    And I made a lot of money from people who went to jiffy lube! Drain plugs not tightened and falling out.
    Oil filters with 2 seals, leaking, Too much oil, too little oil.....

    Go to walfart and get some marvel mystery oil and pour the large bottle in the fuel tank before filling up.
    And you can also use 1 quart in the oil.

    If you are getting fuel from the better gas stations, you likely won't have issues...
     
    #2 ASRDogman, Dec 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM
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  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    A fuel system cleaner is a good idea to use once a year or every other year, based on how many miles you drive per year. Just buy some Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner at Walmart or an auto parts store and follow the directions on the bottle. You pour it into the gas tank. It is much cheaper than the $35 charged by Jiffy Lube.
     
    #3 Brian1954, Dec 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
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  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    If you're going to even consider any of this kind of nonsense I think the gold standard is still BG orma6be it's been one upped by now. Look at what real quality mechanic shops are using not the jiffy lube places but quality shops . BG was the proverbial shirt for years
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Dec 31, 2025 at 8:49 AM
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  5. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

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    Do you mean the whole idea of "fuel system" cleaner is snake oil? Or just what Jiffy Lube is charging for it?

    I'm in California where gas prices are crazy, so I try to get my gas at whatever station offers the cheapest prices.

    I notice I can get a 6 pack of Chevron Techron Concentrate Fuel System Cleaner on Amazon for $40 - so Jiffy is obviously making a killing on this, charging almost as much for a single cleaning.

    If it's worth buying the cleaner and doing it myself, how often do you recommend doing it?
     
    #5 taxce, Dec 31, 2025 at 5:19 PM
  6. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    How many miles do you drive per year?
     
    #6 Brian1954, Dec 31, 2025 at 5:33 PM
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    RUN or drive FAST away from jippy lube.
    The chevron stuff is what's in most fuel. And that would be your better choice.
    You just pour it in the fuel when you are filling up.

    Buying the cheapest gas is not good either. Since different brands mix their fuels differently.
    And the cheaper stores are just that, cheaper! It is much better to stick with one brand, a named brand.
    Because you'll be getting the same mixtures.

     
    #7 ASRDogman, Dec 31, 2025 at 6:29 PM
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  8. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    FWIW; in my experience Jiffy Lube barrel oil is about the cheapest you can get and you'll need to change it every 3K-5K miles, if you don't want any issues.
    I inherited my dad's old SR5 pickup, 3.0L engine with about 135K miles. It had low oil pressure when hot at a stop light. Change the oil with Castrol - no more low pressure issue. I later found out that he used to take that truck to Jiffy Lube for oil changes.

    Just my two cents....

    PS. check that your oil cap is back ON before you leave. Had a few friends complain about that.:(:cry::whistle:
     
    #8 BiomedO1, Dec 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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