Best Fuel Additives: Maximize Your Fuel Efficiency with These Top Picks
Consider these fuel additives to improve efficiency in gas-powered vehicles.

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There's simply no replacement for the real thing. Fuel additives can get you pretty darn close in many cases, though. Not everyone has the means to tear down an engine to clean things up, high-test fuel isn't around every corner, and it's not like the price of gas makes it easy to flush the system anyway. Instead of driving yourself nuts, you can use fuel additives to get the job done. It's not wise to just run off with only that bit of knowledge. You see, we've wandered into the territory of snake oils and magic elixirs. Everyone's got some miracle product you just won't believe. You know, the kind that you try and come to find, the only thing you can't believe is how good someone could be at selling duds. That's what I'm here to help you avoid. There are great fuel additives on the market, and I'll help you find them.

LUCAS LUC10013 Fuel Treatment
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- Contains chemicals that can be harmful to the environment
- Slight contact with this additive causes skin irritation
Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner
- Prevents buildup of gum, carbon, and varnish in the fuel system
- Promotes fuel stability
- Safe for continuous use
- Reduces need for high octane gas
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Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment Concentrate
- Cures and prevents ethanol fuel problems for better engine performance
- Stabilizes gasoline for up to two years
- Not harmful to your system in case of an overdose
- Bottle does not allow for spill-free pouring
- Expensive
Summary List
- Best Overall: Lucas LUC10013 Fuel Treatment
- Best Value: Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner
- Honorable Mention: Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment Concentrate
- Best for Diesel Engines: Opti-Lube XPD Formula Diesel Fuel Additive
- Most Versatile: Helix Racing Products 5-in-1 Ultimate Fuel Additive
- Best for Marine Engines: STA-BIL 360 Marine Ethanol Treatment and Fuel Stabilizer
- Best Octane Booster: Torco Fuel Accelerator
Best Fuel Additives Reviews & Recommendations
Specs
- Manufacturer: Lucas Oil
- Part Number: LUC10013
- Type: Fuel Treatment/Injector Cleaner
Pros
- Does an excellent job of cleaning internal components
- Can be used in gas or diesel applications
- Replaces lead in older engines
Cons
- Contains chemicals that can be harmful to the environment
- Slight contact with this additive causes skin irritation
Specs
- Manufacturer: Red Line
- Part Number: 60103
- Type: Fuel Treatment
Pros
- Prevents buildup of gum, carbon, and varnish in the fuel system
- Promotes fuel stability
- Safe for continuous use
- Reduces need for high octane gas
Cons
- Comes in small size that may not be enough to treat large engine system
- Not suitable for diesel fuel
Specs
- Manufacturer: Star Brite
- Part Number: 770-843
- Type: Fuel Treatment
Pros
- Does an excellent job of cleaning internal components
- Can be used in gas or diesel applications
- Replaces lead in older engines
Cons
- Contains chemicals that can be harmful to the environment
- Slight contact with this additive causes skin irritation
Specs
- Manufacturer: Opti-Lube
- Part Number: OPT-XPD1
- Type: Fuel Treatment
Pros
- Cleans and promotes fuel stability
- Keeps crystals from clogging fuel system in cold weather
- Treats up to 512 gallons of fuel
- comes with extra bottles and pump
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited application compatibility
Specs
- Manufacturer: Helix Racing Products
- Part Number: 911-1208
- Type: Fuel Treatment
Pros
- Cleans, protects, and boosts octane
- Works with two and 4-stroke engines
- Can be used in fuel injected or carbureted engines
Cons
- Easily damaged in shipping
- Limited to gas engines
Specs
- Manufacturer: STA-BIL
- Part Number: 22240
- Type: Fuel Treatment/Fuel Stabilizer
Pros
- Cleans engine and stabilizes fuel
- Can be used in two and 4-stroke engines
- Withstands even the harshest marine engines
Cons
- Quality control can see some improvements
- Limited to marine use
Specs
- Manufacturer: Torco
- Part Number: F500010TE
- Type: Octane Booster
Pros
- Significantly boosts fuel octane
- Safe for use with emissions equipment
- Can save improve engine life and improve power
Cons
- Special considerations required for storage
- Expensive
Our Verdict on the Best Fuel Additives
For a high-quality fuel additive, consider the LucasLUC10013 Fuel Treatment, formulated for both gas and diesel engines, or the Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner, which contributes to 100 percent fuel system efficiency after the first clean.
What to Consider When Looking for Fuel Additives
The list above is great at a glance for those who know what they're after. Others might not find it so useful because they don't know exactly what they need. That's all right. This section of the buying guide will help you decide which fuel additive you need with just a few tips.
Types of Fuel Additives
Fuel Treatments
Gas treatments are formulated with polyisobutene, and for that reason are cheap and widely available. They help improve the quality of gas by getting rid of harmful carbon deposits for cleaner emissions and breaking down water particles that can dilute the fuel.
Fuel Injector Cleaner
Fuel injector cleaners are an upgrade from gas treatments since they contain polyetheramine (PEA), which is one of the strongest cleaning agents. It also cleans more parts in comparison including the direct fuel injectors. The compound also removes clogs and carbon buildup in other parts of the fuel system to further improve overall health of the system.
Fuel Stabilizer
You can expect the quality of fuel to diminish over time if your vehicle is left idle for a season or if the fuel is in storage. Fuel stabilizers work to maintain the quality of the fuel by absorbing water and slowing down oxidation and chemical breakdown of the fuel. It also keeps fuel fresh for a relatively long time if it's in storage.
Octane Booster
While octane boosters aren’t formulated with the strongest cleaning agents, they do a good job of increasing the octane level in the fuel which can help clear out some carbon. Octane boosters are used to effectively raise octane levels of pump fuel. This is necessary with some high-performance builds that require higher octane levels due to a number of factors, such as high boost levels or high compression. Not all engines need octane boosters, and running one in an engine that does not need it can have adverse effects. It is important to study your application specifically to determine if you need this additive.
Key Features
Fuel Compatibility
Some manufacturers make fuel additives that are specific to either diesel or gas engines. You can also find a multifunctional product that works for both. It’s important that you choose a product that’s compatible with your engine’s fuel to avoid corrosive chemical reactions, and damaged rubber seals that will result in engine failure. Also, consult your owner’s manual on what types of formulations or ingredients you should avoid for your engine.
Amount
Fuel additives come in different sizes from 11-ounce bottles to large 5-gallon jars. If you don’t like to hoard car care products in your garage, you can go for a small bottle with just the right amount to treat your engine. However, there’s an upside to buying larger quantities: You can treat multiple vehicles or save money in the long run if it comes with a reasonable price tag.
EPA Approval
Prioritize fuel additives that have an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) label, meaning that they comply with environmental regulations. Such a product typically works by dissolving carbon deposits in the fuel to reduce exhaust smoke production and harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Fuel Additive Pricing
Since such a broad range of different products qualify as fuel additives, it's hard to say an exact price you can expect to pay. Several factors come into consideration when determining the cost of a product. The type of additive, branding and the amount are three major factors that can dramatically change the sticker price. However, most small bottles will list for $30 or less. Buying a case of several small bottles or containers with more of an additive can easily drive the price up, exceeding $100 in some instances.
FAQs
Q: Do fuel additives actually work?
A. Yes. Fuel additives do work. They can only do so much, though. In some cases, tearing an engine down to clean or replace parts or switching to a different fuel will be the only option.
Q: When should I add the additive?
Gas treatments work best when they are added to the fuel tank first, before combustion. This means if you want to add a fuel additive, you should do so before you add any more gas to your vehicle. Just put in the recommended amount even if your tank is not empty.

Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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