Motoring myths do they still ring true

[biggs682]

Whilst filling up the Note earlier at 1.749 per litre I watched a chap in his 50's tip half a bottle of Redex into the tank of the VW Tiguan he was filling up.

Not seen Redex being used for years and certainly not by age of the driver or type of car I would have expected to be using it.

On my return to the driver's seat swmbo asked me to explain what the guy had been doing.

So how many other myths are still in use by motorists ...

 

[biggs682]

Just remembered another one that was often used by a guy I used to do freelance work for if ever he was traveling with a trailer behind the transit van he would get as close to the back of anything bigger than the van as he could as it saved him fuel .

Many a mile was travelled watching brake lights like a hawk

 

[Gillstay]

You mean like....`It doesnt matter how i drive, I get the same mpg '

 

[fossyant]

I drop Wynns diesel system cleaner in the van every 6 months or so - it's even recommended by the dealer. Usually put it in when going on a long run. I also used Wynns ad-blue anti crystallising additive in the ad-blue tank.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Not seen Redex being used for years

Cleans up DPF filters, which get clogged if your ratio of motorway cruising is low. I use it periodically, particularly if DPF light has come on.

 

[fossyant]

Modern diesels generally need a little extra care so they don't clog up. The ad-blue is a big issue these days, and can lead to very expensive repairs. You only have to spill a little ad-blue to see how easily it crystalises. You don't want this in the pump or the injector.

 

[fossyant]

Similar additives do work with petrol injection too - helps to clean the injectors for a better spray pattern and increased MPG

 

[Drago]

I put Wirth fuel system cleaner through mine. As the Fossils rightly states, it cleans everything on the 'wet' side ofnthe fuel system.

I also use an anti crystal additive in the ad blue.

 

[fossyant]

You probably get the best benefits of these additives if you are going on a long trip - i.e. engine is at optimal temperature for a long time and the additive is cleaning the systems. The EGR/DPF on diesels don't half pull some crap back through the various engine parts, enough to leave build ups - I've seen it on an old diesel BMW my son had. Petrol cars are way cleaner.

 

[figbat]

The question about using fuel additives is whether or not they are helping. Most people will never know if the additive has helped vs if they hadn’t used it. The classic response is “I’ve always used it and everything has been fine”. What is unknown is (1) whether everything is actually fine and (2) what would have happened without the additive.

There is a train of thought that says “well it can’t hurt, can it” but modern fuel already has additives in it, to which you are adding more additives that may be redundant, or could arguably interact unfavourably with the additives already there.

For most, the measure of “everything is fine” is a lack of catastrophic failure. Most will never see the inside of the engine or the fuel system so will never know what’s been going on. A very slow loss of performance over the years is undetectable but the common butt dyno.

 

[PeteXXX]

Apparently, people of any sex atall have nowhere to hang their handbag since cars got automatic chokes..

 

[figbat]

Apparently, women have nowhere to hang their handbag since cars got automatic chokes..

So in the last 40 years or so then?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Apparently, women have nowhere to hang their handbag since cars got automatic chokes..

Oh yes the dying art of managing a manual choke

not too much - not too little

The young will never know how fine difference between everything being fine
and the car not starting or stalling at the lights

(and if you had a 2CV then only the Gods know how to start that some damp days!!!)

 

[fossyant]

Apparently, women have nowhere to hang their handbag since cars got automatic chokes..

Lots of fellas have bags now, just saying !

 

[presta]

"Is there any independent evidence that Redex products actually do anything?"

Google: "There is no strong, large-scale scientific or independent laboratory proof that Redex fuel additives deliver major long-term improvements in fuel economy (MPG) or power for healthy modern cars"