Redex, fuel additives etc.

[Brechin Slate]

We haven't opened a decent can of worms for a few days so here goes..

Does anyone use Redex or any other additive in their 300h?  Are there any definite advantages/disadvantages that you have personally noticed?  I've looked on the Internet but am more interested in personal experiences from Lexus owners rather than 3rd party opinions or hearsay.  Despite my 'can of worms' statement above, I am genuinely interested.  I used Redex in my MGA and Triumph Stag but that was in another lifetime.

[ianhu]

I used to have to use redex in my is220d. That was due to the phenomenon known as white smoke intermittely occurring after the car had surpassed 100,000 miles. Strange that lexus couldn't and wouldn't fix it. 

Not used redex in my is300h but interested to see what others think. Also has anyone an opinion on tuning/mapping this car. Seems its stayed well clear of from the remaplers. If it has a petrol engine when the hybrid isn't running, why is it stayed clear or? Sorry not trying to change the subject. 

[First_Lexus]

10 minutes ago, Brechin Slate said:

We haven't opened a decent can of worms for a few days so here goes..

Does anyone use Redex or any other additive in their 300h?  Are there any definite advantages/disadvantages that you have personally noticed?  I've looked on the Internet but am more interested in personal experiences from Lexus owners rather than 3rd party opinions or hearsay.  Despite my 'can of worms' statement above, I am genuinely interested.  I used Redex in my MGA and Triumph Stag but that was in another lifetime.

^^ Blimey, that’s a name from the past! I did use Redex in my 1974 Mini Clubman and occasionally in my 1981 Mini HL (which incidentally ran brilliantly on Formula Shell!) but haven’t thought about it in years.

Don't use it or anything like it. Slightly surprised to see it is still available, tbh. It’s all 🐍 snake oil, surely?

https://www.holtsauto.com/redex/

[Linas.P]

What particular product you have in mind, just to name the few common thing available in supermarkets - Redex octane booster, Petrol system cleaner, fuel system cleaner, emission reducer etc.

Each of them will do exactly what they say on the label (well... not exactly - they won't increase power etc). Say octane booster will boost octane rating of your fuel, petrol system cleaner will clean things like injectors and lines. There is nothing special about these products - same chemicals are included in fuel itself to achieve same things, just at lower amounts.

If I make analogy then imagine drinking orange juice to get vitamin C, the redex product would be concentrated vitamin C pill. Whenever you benefit from 10000mg extra vitamin C in your body that is another question. Same for cars those additives does what they say they do, but whenever it is beneficial is not quite clear cut.

I did use emission reducer before MOT on older car and it seems to have done the trick, I did use petrol booster on old tank of fuel which was gone bad to start the car and it did the trick. So I think they do work in certain circumstances, but using them regularly would be waste of money.

As well certainly they don't make your car more fuel efficient, nor they make it more powerful than rated power. These claims are based on assumption that you have an issue e.g. if you have slightly clogged line or injector, then in theory cleaning that could improve emissions or fuel efficiency. But if you don't have these issues then additives can't help. 

Or if you have old petrol which is not the best and thus car retards the timing to run on it and as result you have less power. Yes adding petrol booster would bring that petrol up to spec and your car will again make full power, but the statement of 20% more power they make is absolute non-sense and based on multiple assumptions at once.

[wharfhouse]

1 hour ago, ianhu said:

I used to have to use redex in my is220d. That was due to the phenomenon known as white smoke intermittely occurring after the car had surpassed 100,000 miles. Strange that lexus couldn't and wouldn't fix it. 

Not used redex in my is300h but interested to see what others think. Also has anyone an opinion on tuning/mapping this car. Seems its stayed well clear of from the remaplers. If it has a petrol engine when the hybrid isn't running, why is it stayed clear or? Sorry not trying to change the subject. 

 

[wharfhouse]

1 hour ago, Brechin Slate said:

We haven't opened a decent can of worms for a few days so here goes..

Does anyone use Redex or any other additive in their 300h?  Are there any definite advantages/disadvantages that you have personally noticed?  I've looked on the Internet but am more interested in personal experiences from Lexus owners rather than 3rd party opinions or hearsay.  Despite my 'can of worms' statement above, I am genuinely interested.  I used Redex in my MGA and Triumph Stag but that was in another lifetime.

There is a genuine Toyota Petrol additive https://lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-ux/lexus-ux-2018-present/lexus-ux-engine-service-kits/lexus-petrol-fuel-system-cleaner/

[Vadim]

Used STP Petrol Treatment for injector cleaning on my 2011 RX. Picked based on price and good reviews.

No issues, the motor sound changed a tiny bit (expected given age, substantial mileage, and the fact that the engine has never been treated with such cleaner before).

I have yet to record any fuel consumption improvements, but expect them to be minor if at all. I think it is more for a piece of mind.

[Vadim]

Also at last oil change I added Liqui Moly Ceratec.
Did it based on good reviews, good personal experience with the brand and under impression that it should have maximum impact on RX V6 engine with more friction surfaces than in 4-cyl engines and no turbocharger (there are reports that Ceratec clogged the turbo because of high working temperatures of this unit or other reasons).

So far (about 100 lockdown miles after the oil change) all good.

[Malc]

I wonder if the Redex they sell today is the same formula of that which I used to pop in a shot ( per gallon ) when I was a petrol pump attendant 50 ( or so ) years ago ................. those days petrol was between 91, 93, 95, 97 and 101 octane ? ........................ and maybe engines needed Redex in those times ?

Can't believe engine technology hasn't satisfactorily advanced to obviate the need for this type of additive .....  but hey, how would I know 

Unless one's an engine engineer and specialist I don't see how one can know ..... unless everyday experience with a specific car / miles tells one otherwise or maybe just intuitively

Malc

[Linas.P]

9 minutes ago, Malc said:

I wonder if the Redex they sell today is the same formula

I am absolutely sure it is not the same, chemistry and additives has changed. Even fuel changing from leaded to unleaded would be major change in how they are formulated. 

I tend to believe that fuels nowadays are advanced enough for additives to become unnecessary under most circumstances, however I still believe there could be exceptional circumstances where one could use dedicated additive to their benefit.   

[nicnac]

4 minutes ago, Malc said:

I wonder if the Redex they sell today is the same formula of that which I used to pop in a shot ( per gallon ) when I was a petrol pump attendant 50 ( or so ) years ago ................. those days petrol was between 91, 93, 95, 97 and 101 octane ? ........................ and maybe engines needed Redex in those times ?

Can't believe engine technology hasn't satisfactorily advanced to obviate the need for this type of additive .....  but hey, how would I know 

Unless one's an engine engineer and specialist I don't see how one can know ..... unless everyday experience with a specific car / miles tells one otherwise or maybe just intuitively

Malc

My advice would be to fill your car with petrol ........................ change your engine oil and filter with the OEM spec products at the recommended intervals for your conditions  and let the designers do the other thinking as to the engine ....................... 

[Las Palmas]

Is that still made? We used it in 1967 when I was working with MB.

[royoftherovers]

Just now, Las Palmas said:

Is that still made? We used it in 1967 when I was working with MB.

I put it in my M.B. once a month. I cannot vouch for it one way or another but my M.B. passed its M.O.T. YESTERDAY having covered 247,053 miles on original engine.

[Boosh.]

18 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

I am absolutely sure it is not the same

Yes, I think you are correct.  I rang up Holts a few years back with basically this question.

The Holts techie said that the 'classic' Redex petrol additive used to be sold as an upper cylinder lubricant.  None of the existing Redex range claims to be that now, it was reformulated about 20 years back, they said.

[nicnac]

28 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

I put it in my M.B. once a month. I cannot vouch for it one way or another but my M.B. passed its M.O.T. YESTERDAY having covered 247,053 miles on original engine.

I would say John , that modern engines will last that long with proper maintenance , and even without in some cases . But if you feel its good , then go for it !!!. 

[nicnac]

I knew a guy in the early 00 , who had an Honda with the B16A2 DOHC VTEC engine who had 340,000 miles on the clock . He changed the oilm every 5k and she was sweet as a nut . I also had a friend in the motor trade who had to change the timing chain on a perticular merc line of engines at 100k or they would ruin the engine ................ Its all down to good design and then just regular oil changes .

[royoftherovers]

1 hour ago, nicnac said:

I would say John , that modern engines will last that long with proper maintenance , and even without in some cases . But if you feel its good , then go for it !!!. 

I thought I was implying that I had no view, I just did it. I cannot vouch for or agin it Nic.

[nicnac]

6 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

I thought I was implying that I had no view, I just did it. I cannot vouch for or agin it Nic.

Ita all good john ................. its paddies day !!

[Las Palmas]

2 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

I put it in my M.B. once a month. I cannot vouch for it one way or another but my M.B. passed its M.O.T. YESTERDAY having covered 247,053 miles on original engine.

Thought you say that MB is not reliable?

[royoftherovers]

2 hours ago, nicnac said:

I knew a guy in the early 00 , who had an Honda with the B16A2 DOHC VTEC engine who had 340,000 miles on the clock . He changed the oilm every 5k and she was sweet as a nut . I also had a friend in the motor trade who had to change the timing chain on a perticular merc line of engines at 100k or they would ruin the engine ................ Its all down to good design and then just regular oil changes .

And the quality of the Chain Nic.

 

26 minutes ago, nicnac said:

Ita all good john ................. its paddies day !!

That reminds me of an abundance of Paddy Joke--none  of which we would be allowed to get away with now.BMW,

MERC and VW have all been guilty in the recent past of fitting substandard timing chains and leaving the customer to pay for resultant damage/ repairs.

[royoftherovers]

3 minutes ago, Las Palmas said:

Thought you say tha MB is not reliable?

I did and has not been since the introduction EU Compliance requirements.

Nor has its rust proofing and paintwork been of an acceptable standard John.

You might know more if you worked for M.B.

The last generally acceptable M.B. was the W124 Model which CEASED in 1995/96.

It was followed by the W210 and W202 both of which had rust and paintwork problems unbecoming of a M.B. 

Their current  marketing slogan  is "the best or nothing" which makes us Lexus owners want to laugh all the way back to Mount Fuji.

[Las Palmas]

30 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

You might know more if you worked for M.B.

It was 1964 - 67.

The 190 was the most reliable taxi. We sold so many of them that Germany congratulated.

[Brechin Slate]

Thanks for all the input chaps.  The one on sale in my local garage is the one in the 1st pic not the one in the 2nd pic which many of us remember.

Based on the feedback above, I won't be adding it to my Lexus any time soon but if I ever buy another classic who knows? 🤣

[royoftherovers]

1 hour ago, Las Palmas said:

It was 1964 - 67.

The 190 was the most reliable taxi. We sold so many of them that Germany congratulated.

I always thought I would buy a new 5 cylinder version of the W201

[Las Palmas]

38 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

I always thought I would buy a new 5 cylinder version of the W201

Had a 2.5 D with 3.0 on the rear in 1982. 5 cyl. First car my wife was driving, not even automatic.