We have free oil and tire rotations for another 2 years so was in today just getting it serviced.

Ive been noticing especially when driving up our parking garage or inclines, I seem to feel a bit of a jerk or hesitation with the engine. Not full blown jerking or knocking but to me a noticeable not smooth feel. I didnt bring it up to the rep when i dropped the car off, as i wanted to see if the dealership diagnosed anything on their own.

Sure enough she came back and said the fuel injector was gunked up (carbon tech Decarb service). The car only has 30K miles and we dont drive it hard so i questioned why or how we would already be having an issue. Her first question was do you get your gasoline at costco. We do more times than not fill up with premium at costco.

Maybe im just ignorant on this topic but is costco gasoline really that bad and potentially causing this fuel injector issue?

Run a bottle of injector cleaner such as Techron thru your car every time you do an oil change. You just pour it in the gas tank and fill the tank. It will keep your injectors from gumming up. There are lots of different ones out there. Techron just happens to be the one I usually use.

Does Costco gas have detergents added? I know HEB gas doesn't which is why it's cheaper and not ideal.

Did they show you a video or photos? Service advisors are paid on commission. If you believe them you need a fuel injector or induction service every other visit, coolant/transmission/brake fluid flush once a year....

Costco gas is top tier. Should be OK, but I can notice a difference when I run on Chevron or Shell vs anything else.

Run Shell or Chevron premium for a few tanks and see if it doesn't get better.

ghollow said:

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Run a bottle of injector cleaner such as Techron thru your car every time you do an oil change. You just pour it in the gas tank and fill the tank. It will keep your injectors from gumming up. There are lots of different ones out there. Techron just happens to be the one I usually use.

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I do this but use Red Line. It's frequently cited on forums as the best "Red Line SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner, due to its high concentration of the active ingredient PEA (Polyether Amine) which effectively cleans fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers. It's recommended for both high-mileage vehicles and regular maintenance to improve performance and prevent carbon buildup"

I also fill up at Shell and Chevron because their gas contains higher levels of detergent.

2023 TLX type S with 37,000 miles and no issues. I change the oil every 6K regardless of the dash recommendation

Costco gas is rated Top Tier.

I would like to know the method they used to determine that you indeed have a clogged fuel injector at 30k miles. This sounds like they are throwing a service at a problem.

maroon barchetta said:

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Costco gas is rated Top Tier.

I would like to know the method they used to determine that you indeed have a clogged fuel injector at 30k miles. This sounds like they are throwing a service at a problem.

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This. X10000000000

I use almost exclusively Costco fuel.

Best stuff on the market.

BG44K in the tank and go drive the piss out of it.

ghollow said:

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Run a bottle of injector cleaner such as Techron thru your car every time you do an oil change. You just pour it in the gas tank and fill the tank. It will keep your injectors from gumming up. There are lots of different ones out there. Techron just happens to be the one I usually use.

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Or just regularly use Chevron gas or any other top tier fuel... Shell, Circle K, Valero...

Quote:

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Sure enough she came back and said the fuel injector was gunked up (carbon tech Decarb service). The car only has 30K miles and we dont drive it hard so i questioned why or how we would already be having an issue. Her first question was do you get your gasoline at costco. We do more times than not fill up with premium at costco.

Maybe im just ignorant on this topic but is costco gasoline really that bad and potentially causing this fuel injector issue?

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1. Costco gas is Top Tier branded. No way that's the issue.
2. I'm 99% sure your injector is not "gunked up" at 30k miles. They recreated the problem by driving at an incline watching injector spray patterns?? I think not.
3. Go to a competent mechanic who can recreate the problem. This will entail driving at an incline and watching fuel trims. Does it happen every time?

Thanks for the help guys. When she said Costco was sub par gas I raised an eyebrow at that for sure.