Additives (Oil/Trans/etc)

No matter what oil or filter you use, do you include any additives? I am referring to things like coolant, auto trans fluid, engine oil, etc. Brands might include Lubegard, Red Line, STP (God forbid!), etc. I do not advocate that we are alchemists, but many of these additives claim improvements that do sound attractive. For the time being, I am attracted to Lubegard.

 

I am reminded of the mechanic who had a local radio talk show a few years ago. He made a comment about the parts stores having row after row of shelves with things to make your car love you...

 

I don't use a lot of additives, but do have some faith in Redline's Water Wetter for the cooling system. I change my oil every 3000 miles, and the diffs and transfer case yearly. Occasionally, (every other oil change), I'll dump a bottle of injector cleaner in the gas tank, and that's about it.

 

The 1995 Corvette runs a bit hotter (by design) than I would like, so I use a coolant additive such as Water Wetter or Hyper Lube Super Coolant. No coolant additives for the Tacoma, just the SLLC.
I put 6-8 ounces of Marvel Mystery oil in the crankcase (Corvette and Tacoma) about every 4th oil change to keep the innards extra clean.
In transmissions and differentials, just the correct fluids, except in the Corvette I use Lubegard LS supplement in the differential -- it has a clutch pack and I like to add a little more than what's in the "LS" gear oils.
That's about it, not mentioning any fuel additives since that was not in the question.

 

Forgive me, I meant to include ALL additives, including fuel. Please respond.

 

Well in that case, I run Lucas fuel treatment (10013) every 2-3 tanks as maintenance. I run a bottle of Techron or SeaFoam (in the fuel) before doing an oil change, most of the time. I use Sta-Bil in the dirt bikes as needed when they sit for long periods (I still run them every 4-6 weeks). In 30 years I have never once had an issue related to fuel quality, stability or freshness. I can't say 100% for sure these additives are the reason, but I use products with good reputations and they certainly can't hurt. Of course someone will say they are hurting my wallet.
Soon I will stop using all these additives and begin a regimen of 1oz TC-W3 oil to 5 gallons of fuel. This is cheaper per dose than any other fuel additive/detergent currently on the market. Tons of research and testing has been done with this two-stroke mix in 4-cycle engines, and at this dose it is safe for catalytic converters... especially when you consider the "acceptable" rate of engine oil burning/consumption stated by some manufacturers (e.g. 1 quart per 1000 miles, WTF). TC-W3 contains a lubricant (obviously), a fuel stabilizer and a very strong detergent package.

 

I think today's oils and gasoline from top tier vendors are pretty darn good and have all the necessary detergents needed. Even though we give ethanol fuel a bum rap, the alcohol does help keep injectors clean. I will run a bottle of gumout all-in-one fuel treatment to give a boost of PEA maybe twice a year to boost the cleaning of injectors. Other than that, no.

Now I do use stabil and ethanol free gas in my small engines.

 

urinate in your fuel tank after a good night out drinking you will notice increase in performance

 

Bottle of lucas every fill up.