Hello can anyone enlighten me, my car was booked in for a routine service (major). Skoda dealership recommended a Petrol Max treatment, which is a full fuel system clean as the cars now 5 years old and 43k. I asked if they just put some cleaner in the tank, they said no, its a complete fuel system clean from fuel tank though to engine..I had it done and the car is smoother but what is it, is it like Terraclean ?????

 

I hope it wasn't an additive added to the fuel or oil. Skoda specifically mention in the manual that these shouldn't be used so a franchised main dealer shouldn't really be using them.

 

Not sure why though.

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/fuel-oil-additives/millers-petrol-power-ecomax-500ml           

There's nothing wrong with occasionally (every 6-12 months) using fuel system cleaner.  The words in the owners manual are "not recommended" rather than not at all. 

 

Dealerships tend to charge too much for very little - I mean, how exactly does their treatment clean the fuel tank?  If it does, then I assume all the rubbish goes into the fuel filter?

 

There's not a lot of difference between the cheap fuel cleaners & the expensive ones - Redex at GBP5 a bottle is as good as any.

 

I used some really cheap cleaner last month and I can only assume I had slightly dirty injectors beforehand as the fuel economy did improve afterwards.

 

Keep in mind the biggest problem with all these direct injection engines is the inlet manifold carboning up and none of the fuel tank based additives will fix that.