Dealer maintenance schedule question

[Mark_888]

Whats the deal with the fuel additives? I understood this is required ONLY if you do not use top tier gas. To my knowledge, all major gas stations in Canada are now top tier so essentially the additive is not required?

Does any one have reference to the manual where it states additive requirements?

The fuel additive is not required. The 2015 manual states:

"If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not available, one bottle of additive is recommended. Additives are available from your authorized HYUNDAI dealer along with information on how to use them. Do not mix other additives."​

Obviously, if a dealer wants to sell you additional services, they will recommend you do this regardless of whether you use top tier gas. I am sure that it is a shock to some, but dealers are in business to make money, even if they recommend doing things that the manufacturer does not recommend or require.

The fuel additive that Hyundai dealers in the USA use is called Hyundai Fuel Injector Cleaner (I assume the same in Canada). It is made for Hyundai by Chevron, which has its own version called Chevron Fuel Injector Cleaner. According to both labels, they both contain Techron, which is a proprietary trademark of Chevron. The bottles are identical plastic molds, but obviously the labels are different.

Chevron also makes a more concentrated version called Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus.

There is no reason to pay a dealer to put in the additive in the gas tank and charge an exorbitant fee. The Chevron product is very reasonably priced at stores like Walmart (about $4), and Costco usually has a 6-pack for about $15. You can also get the Hyundai version at your dealer, but probably costs at least double those prices.

Given the low price of the additive, I usually use it about once per year.

 

[dakwonhee]

Whats the deal with the fuel additives? I understood this is required ONLY if you do not use top tier gas. To my knowledge, all major gas stations in Canada are now top tier so essentially the additive is not required?

Does any one have reference to the manual where it states additive requirements?

Yes...I agree...

For Canada, Only 7 brands have been listed as a Top Tier Detergent Gasoline certified as per the webside linked below.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

Thanks..

 

[dakwonhee]

The fuel additive is not required. The 2015 manual states:

"If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not available, one bottle of additive is recommended. Additives are available from your authorized HYUNDAI dealer along with information on how to use them. Do not mix other additives."​

Obviously, if a dealer wants to sell you additional services, they will recommend you do this regardless of whether you use top tier gas. I am sure that it is a shock to some, but dealers are in business to make money, even if they recommend doing things that the manufacturer does not recommend or require.

The fuel additive that Hyundai dealers in the USA use is called Hyundai Fuel Injector Cleaner (I assume the same in Canada). It is made for Hyundai by Chevron, which has its own version called Chevron Fuel Injector Cleaner. According to both labels, they both contain Techron, which is a proprietary trademark of Chevron. The bottles are identical plastic molds, but obviously the labels are different.

Chevron also makes a more concentrated version called Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus.

There is no reason to pay a dealer to put in the additive in the gas tank and charge an exorbitant fee. The Chevron product is very reasonably priced at stores like Walmart (about $4), and Costco usually has a 6-pack for about $15. You can also get the Hyundai version at your dealer, but probably costs at least double those prices.

Given the low price of the additive, I usually use it about once per year.

Thanks! I will look for it in Costco....

Cheers.

 

[CanukV6]

Whats the deal with the fuel additives? I understood this is required ONLY if you do not use top tier gas. To my knowledge, all major gas stations in Canada are now top tier so essentially the additive is not required?

Does any one have reference to the manual where it states additive requirements?

I haven't seen any "official" reference to the need for Fuel Additives, but I believe this is common practice for Direct-Injected Gas engines. The theory is that because the fuel (c/w additives) does not pass over the Intake Valve, there is a chance of build-up on the valve. Since the only thing flowing over the 'back' of the valve is clean air, I assume the deposits come from oil seeping through the valve guides.

 

[Mark_888]

I haven't seen any "official" reference to the need for Fuel Additives...

I quoted the 2015 owners manual in a post above.

 

[CanukV6]

So you Did.
An additive to the Gasoline won't actually help the condition I described as it doesn't pass over the valve. It will help the Fuel Injectors, but as noted by others that is not really necessary unless you are using Moonshine instead of a leading brand gas. Other manufacturers with Direct Injected engines use cleaners that are sprayed into the intake system after the Air Filter and are supposed to help remove deposits on the intake valves.

 

[amartz]

It will help the Fuel Injectors, but as noted by others that is not really necessary unless you are using Moonshine

When was the last time you had any really good moonshine??

 

[Mark_888]

An additive to the Gasoline won't actually help the condition I described as it doesn't pass over the valve. It will help the Fuel Injectors, but as noted by others that is not really necessary unless you are using Moonshine instead of a leading brand gas. Other manufacturers with Direct Injected engines use cleaners that are sprayed into the intake system after the Air Filter and are supposed to help remove deposits on the intake valves.

I am not vouching for the efficacy of using the fuel injector cleaner on a gasoline direct injected engine, just repeating what the owner's manual says. But using one $4 bottle of the cleaner per year is not going to kill anyone.

I do agree that some other manufacturers have taken the lead (I believe Toyota is one of them) in creating a hybrid FI/GDI engine to prevent the carbon build-up on pure GDI engines. I would like to see Hyundai go there also.

 

[lobsenza]

I think adding a fuel additive every 3k-5k is a good idea. You can do it yourself and it is inexpensive.

 

[Midnightsun]

I think adding a fuel additive every 3k-5k is a good idea. You can do it yourself and it is inexpensive.

I think I will start doing this with every oil change (10,000km on synthetic). Just need to stock up on some and place it with my oil filters so as not to forget.

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[Midnightsun]

Seems like the Chevron Techron stuff is not readily available in Canada however based on many reviews I will opt for the Lucas stuff which is available even at Canadian Tire. http://fuelinjectorcleaner.reviews

 

[dakwonhee]

Seems like the Chevron Techron stuff is not readily available in Canada however based on many reviews I will opt for the Lucas stuff which is available even at Canadian Tire. http://fuelinjectorcleaner.reviews

You can find it in Amazon.ca ....

http://www.amazon.ca/Chevron-67740-Techron-Concentrate-12-Ounce/dp/B000CCOL3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450207742&sr=8-1&keywords=Chevron+Techron

 

[Mark_888]

You can find it in Amazon.ca ....

http://www.amazon.ca/Chevron-67740-Techron-Concentrate-12-Ounce/dp/B000CCOL3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450207742&sr=8-1&keywords=Chevron+Techron

That is the more concentrated version, compared to the Fuel Injector Cleaner, but it will work.

 

[dakwonhee]

Today, I went the dealer and bought the "Fuel Injector Cleaner" (P/N 084NA26004) for GDI engine....they recommended this for my genny.

The instruction shows that add one entire bottle to full tank every three to four fill-ups..

It costs $10....

Cheers!

 

[Mark_888]

Today, I went the dealer and bought the "Fuel Injector Cleaner" (P/N 084NA26004) for GDI engine....they recommended this for my genny.

The instruction shows that add one entire bottle to full tank every three to four fill-ups..

It costs $10....

Cheers!

Does the label on the back say it contains Techron? Could be that Hyundai Canada sources it from a different vendor that Hyundai Motor American (who uses Chevron).

 

[dakwonhee]

Does the label on the back say it contains Techron? Could be that Hyundai Canada sources it from a different vendor that Hyundai Motor American (who uses Chevron).

Hyundai Canada use complete different product from "Shrader Canada Ltd."
Has somebody heard about "Shrader Canada Ltd"?

Weird...

 

[Mark_888]

Hyundai Canada use complete different product from "Shrader Canada Ltd."
Has somebody heard about "Shrader Canada Ltd"?

Weird...

I checked their website and it looks like they don't sell products directly to consumers under their own name, but make and/or bottle them for others, such as Hyundai Canada. Since labels have to be in English and French (as I understand it) that may be a big part of why they exist.

I am not even sure how many products they actually manufacturer vs just package for other companies (buy the actual chemicals in bulk from someone else). It is probably a mix (make some, and buy some).

 

[Midnightsun]

At the end of the day, all that is recommended is a good fuel injection cleaner (regardless of brand) every once in a while.

Thanks for posting the Hyundai Canada version. When I had my unpleasant costly experience of my first oil change/maintenance, I questioned the unreasonably high bill. One of the "expensive" items according to my garage was the fuel additive. You have now confirmed it was a measly $10. Oh how I hate people that lie for profit.

 

[Mark_888]

At the end of the day, all that is recommended is a good fuel injection cleaner (regardless of brand) every once in a while.

Thanks for posting the Hyundai Canada version. When I had my unpleasant costly experience of my first oil change/maintenance, I questioned the unreasonably high bill. One of the "expensive" items according to my garage was the fuel additive. You have now confirmed it was a measly $10. Oh how I hate people that lie for profit.

Hey, those bottles are heavy and it takes a lot of effort to poor them into the gas tank. $10? I bet the same stuff can be purchased at a discount store for about $4 or less, and the retailers are still making a nice profit.

 

[srobak]

To get back to the alignment bit for a moment...

I would say if you have the AWD and/or if you have lane keeping - a 4-wheel alignment is something you are probably going to want to do yearly - if not more.

Perhaps this is old-school thinking, but with AWD - power going to all the wheels (even if computer controlled) can certainly have a different affect on the alignment over time than just 2wd. A lot more stresses are being introduced on the components in the front end than without AWD and would be more susceptible to wear as a result. Running out of alignment over extended periods of time could contribute to excess wear on the driveline and suspension components closest to the wheel - and if the dealer or Hyundai wanted to be a dick - they could say it contributed to failure of a component if you had to bring it in.

Additionally - if you are having to constantly correct because of misalignment that can also wear on you as the driver

...not to mention the LKAS. If your car is having to constantly correct it too can wear on the components that make that happen - right down to the off-center-weighted motor in the steering wheel that could now be practically vibrating all the time instead of occasionally as intended.

Of course there is also the improper tire wear that results from misalignment as well.

Just a thought. It is an overall cheap bit of maintenance that could quite possibly save tires and early wearing of other components. $.04