Consumer Reports : Direct Injection at a price for fuel economy ( 2015 )

[odie]

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/02/pros-and-cons-of-direct-injection-engines/index.htm . Does mention some auto manufacturers push for owners to use only name - brand detergent gasoline ( likely Top Tier ) w/o ethanol and also use a fuel system cleaner ( likely P.E.A. ) on occasion . This is a part of the article .

 

[PimTac]

A lot has changed in five years.

 

[Danno]

I would say in hindsight that, the benefits as shown in the article were overstated and the down sides were overstated as well.
Open to debate by what degree on both of these points.

 

[Passport1]

Seems like more unnecessary sophistication in pursuit of an increasingly small dividend. Some kinds are fascinated by technology, most of us just want to get to work on time.

 

[edyvw]

As usual CR does bogus job. BMW does not recommend fuel cleaners. Maybe KIA does, but they do not specify that .

 

[Kawiguy454]

After two different service calls for injector issues the 17 Chevy truck definitely likes PEA regularly with no problems since running a tank each oil change. And I only use top tier gas.

 

[earlyre]

yes... only use name brand gasoline, without ethanol!
that's unobtainium in my area.
ALL the gas sold is at least E10.
Casey's has been moving in, and they have both e85, and e15 (branded as unleaded 88). until recently they DID have e-0 91(priced 5¢ above the e10 91), but about 2 months ago, they replaced it with"Super Premium" e10 93 (priced 10¢ above the e10 91)
i was very upset when they ditched the e0 91... my little hybrid consistently got 5mpg better without the corn juice.

and in the 18 or so months i've had this car, the one time i dosed it with techron concentrate.... my gas guage was all over the map until i burned off that full tank. once the techron was burned, or diluted enough to be "gone", the gauge returned to normal operation.

 

[danez_yoda]

They should fog fuel cleaners behind the valves to keep them clean. BUT why would you do that when you could charge to clean them periodically.

 

[Hogwash]

All this tech is certainly not what most manufacturers want. But government mandates are pushing auto makers to come up with every little eek in efficiency they can. I have a friend who is an engineer for a big manufacturer. He says the pressure and mandates on fuel economy are huge. It's the elephant in the room even when the discussion isn't about MPG

 

[Trav]

As usual CR does bogus job. BMW does not recommend fuel cleaners. Maybe KIA does, but they do not specify that .

They may not recommend today it buy they sure sell it. IIRC they did in fact recommend it for US market cars at one point.

Genuine BMW Fuel System Cleaner Plus Additive - 3.38oz - 83195A07750

Original BMW fuel system cleaner in a convenient single use size.

www.bimmerworld.com

 

[HowAboutThis]

After two different service calls for injector issues the 17 Chevy truck definitely likes PEA regularly with no problems since running a tank each oil change. And I only use top tier gas.

It's almost more difficult NOT to use Top Tier gas now. You'd need to buy from a local Bobby's Convenience Store, or something.

 

[csandste]

It's almost more difficult NOT to use Top Tier gas now. You'd need to buy from a local Bobby's Convenience Store, or something.

That's true here in St. Louis, but get out in the sticks....

 

[edyvw]

They may not recommend today it buy they sure sell it. IIRC they did in fact recommend it for US market cars at one point.

Genuine BMW Fuel System Cleaner Plus Additive - 3.38oz - 83195A07750

Original BMW fuel system cleaner in a convenient single use size.

www.bimmerworld.com

Well, it certainly goes against all their manuals. But, if it sells, why not I guess

 

[Trav]

Well, it certainly goes against all their manuals. But, if it sells, why not I guess

All of them will sell anything for the $$$, no way is the additive gravy train going by without them cashing in on it. In this case it is repackaged Techron like GM and most others repackage.

 

[demarpaint]

All of them will sell anything for the $$$, no way is the additive gravy train going by without them cashing in on it. In this case it is repackaged Techron like GM and most others repackage.

We've had this discussion numerous times. It's sad but DI is still not ready for prime time imo. Time to hide...............

 

[RooflessVW]

As usual CR does bogus job. BMW does not recommend fuel cleaners. Maybe KIA does, but they do not specify that .

Funny then, that they have two part numbers for fuel injector cleaner:

82-14-0-428-376 and 82-14-0-413-341

 

[RooflessVW]

And CR certainly knows how to market to their target audience. You ever think they just say what the luddites want to hear?

Port-injected vehicles need costly repairs as well.

 

[benjy]

NEVER any port injected issues even with 200 thou on my traded Jetta. yes manufacturers are pushed by the government + they hide issues as they dont want costly recalls!!!! its always about the $$$$ + the consumer pays!!

 

[wdn]

The article from 2015 no longer applies. Some makers have introduce brand new direct injection engines in just the past few years. The new 2.0 Subaru for example uses 80 percent new parts and uses a patented oil air separator built into the engine. That is saner approach than a hybridized port/DI engine with two kind of fuel injectors. Motor oil has also changed a lot in the past five years.

 

[ragtoplvr]

Most of the economy variation have negative value. They will not save enough fuel to pay for their additional cost let alone the additional repair cost.
Rod