11 best additives for engine and gearbox
Additives - a universal means of preventing wear and tear of the internal elements of the engine and transmission by protection against friction, temperature extremes and chemical exposure. In addition to the fact that the additive packages are invariably added to modern synthetic and semi-synthetic oils, they can be purchased separately, in order to enhance the protection component or even add additional useful properties to the best coolant.
At the present stage of development of the automotive chemicals segment, more than 50 companies worldwide are involved in the production of additives. Naturally, each individual product has its own quality tolerance and a set of certificates of conformity; therefore, self-selection often becomes a real lottery. In connection with the current situation, the team of expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ magazine conducted its own research of a large market, and selected 11 compositions, the effectiveness of which was proven several times. All additives that appear in the rating are versatile and can be used in various brands and models of cars. The key criteria for the selection of products in the final list of the best steel were consumer reviews, as well as a complete list and comparison of the results of testing samples for compliance with the stated performance indicators.
Rating of the best additives for engine and gearbox
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
| The best car additives for gasoline engines | 1 | Suprotec Active Plus | 1 660 ₽ |
| 2 | RVS Master | 1 650 ₽ | |
| 3 | Liqui Moly CeraTec | 1 783 ₽ | |
| 4 | SMT Oil Treatment | 550 ₽ | |
| Top Diesel Engine Additives | 1 | Bardahl Full Metal | 1 900 ₽ |
| 2 | Castrol tda | 490 ₽ | |
| 3 | Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additiv | 535 ₽ | |
| 4 | Suprotec Active (Diesel) | 1 600 ₽ | |
| Top additives for PPC | 1 | Liqui Moly GearProtect | 2 875 ₽ |
| 2 | RVS Master Transmission Tr5 | 1 500 ₽ | |
| 3 | "Suprotek - Automatic" | 1 180 ₽ |
The best car additives for gasoline engines
Suprotec Active Plus
Rating: 4.9
The leader in the current category of additives for gasoline engines is the SUPROTEC composition, which has the strongest positive effect on engines intact or in satisfactory working condition. It will be costly and inefficient to acquire Active Plus for an already surviving car: processing with the help of additives will hardly pull it out of a critical or limiting state. But for working in a rather “live” unit, it fits perfectly: here you will have about 3-4% fuel economy, and a significant increase in power due to the softness and smoothness of the rubbing parts (by 3.2%), and the increased working resource even with rare use of the composition.
Only one fact is distressing in this case: the introduction of SUPROTEC Active Plus into the engine takes place in two stages. On the first side, the motor is flushed for a certain period of time, the waste liquid is drained, and the second is followed by a full fill with a new batch of oil for long-term work. By the way, such a measure is enough for 50 thousand kilometers, which is proved in the field tests on a real car (not on the stand). Yes, let it be expensive, and let it be a little confused, but the positive effect is definitely worth it.
Virtues
- works great in used and brand new engines;
- the validity period is calculated at 50 thousand kilometers;
- a significant increase in the characteristics of gasoline engines: reduced fuel consumption, noise and vibrations, increased power;
disadvantages
- two-stage processing;
- high cost (for the first fill, you need two bottles of additives).
RVS Master
Rating: 4.8
This tribological composition is often contrasted with products from the company SUPRATEC - on Internet forums, consumers inflate whole scandals and lead serious battles. We will act more wisely - both products are equally good in their business. Yes, in terms of enhancing the performance of the RVS Master engines, it is slightly inferior to its opponent - the emphasis in the proposal should be made on the word “a little bit”. For example, fuel economy will be about 2.9%, and power will increase by 2.5%. But there are a number of very strong sides in this product that SUPRATEC Active could not master.
We are talking about the possibility of using RVS Master with very old engines that are on the verge of the last failure. And the effect of the application will be tantamount to gradual maintenance. What we mean: the composite cermet composition of the additive has a directional effect on the surface of the parts, forming a wear-resistant protective layer with a low friction coefficient. This prevents further frictional effects on the base metal, which makes the engine elements last longer (about 40-50 thousand kilometers). One more plus: processing in one filling, excluding any problems with a dosage and repeated introduction of additive into oil.
Virtues
- recommended for use with worn engines;
- has an excellent regenerating effect on the surface of parts
- the effectiveness of the action is maintained for 40-50 thousand kilometers;
- does not require a two-step fill.
disadvantages
- quite high price;
- slightly less pronounced increase in the performance of the engine, rather than the main competitor.
Liqui Moly CeraTec
Rating: 4.7
One of the few compositions of the advanced level that protects the engine from the harmful effects of temperature, friction and chemical exposure by forming a bonded ceramic layer on the surface. In addition, Liqui Moly CeraTec incorporates a complex of organic components with molybdenum ions, which is highly durable and serves to fill micro cracks and irregularities on the surface of parts in friction units.
It’s no joke, but the residual working condition of the casting is observed with a long (by the standards of additives) vehicle mileage: according to experts, approximately for 30-35 thousand kilometers. The use of Liqui Moly CeraTec has a positive effect on fuel consumption: by laboratory tests, it was proved that the average reduction in gasoline consumption averages 1.8-2.4% (depending on the state of the engine and model cars). The increase in power is observed (insignificant, in the region of 1%), and the engine resource increases. The only problem is that the tribotechnical composition is expensive, especially because of the need for its constant use.
Virtues
- a significant increase in the working resource of the engine in the long term;
- increased power and reduced fuel consumption;
- action enhanced by the addition of ceramic components and molybdenum.
disadvantages
- high price.
SMT Oil Treatment
Rating: 4.6
Perhaps the cheapest way to protect the motor from wear is to purchase this additive. It is rarely found on the market, but it provides a complex of positive effects not less than, say, an upstream RVS Master or chemistry from SUPROTEC.
According to the manufacturer, SMT Oil Treatment allows to reduce the cost of oil and fuel, reduce smoke by facilitating full burnout, increase compression (which is very important for worn out engines) and provide power gain.Through repeated bench tests, all these applications were substantiated: the complex actually works as directed, in one way or another performing all the functions imposed on it. Another thing is that in the operation of this difference it is almost imperceptible: an increase in some and a decrease in other parameters occurs in tenths of a percent, and sometimes it does not differ at all from the permissible measurement errors.
In general, we can conclude that SMT Oil Treatment - the composition is really good. It may not be as effective as the manufacturer describes it, but it will definitely not be able to harm the engine.
Virtues
- very low price;
- a slight increase in engine performance in terms of power and fuel consumption;
- improved lubrication processes.
disadvantages
- all impacts do not differ expressiveness in actual operation.
Top Diesel Engine Additives
Bardahl Full Metal
Rating: 4.9
Belgian additive Bardahl Full Metal is positioned as a tool with an advanced composition, the components of which affect the behavioral abilities of technical fluids. In particular, the process of lubrication of rubbing surfaces undergoes improvement: the stability of the formed oil film increases and its adhesion increases, which has a positive effect on the safety of the engine during use in the winter period.
In addition, Bardahl Full Metal has an impact on reducing exhaust smoke by significantly reducing soot concentrations, which in turn has a positive effect on the environmental component of diesel engines. According to experts, an increase in engine performance is typical for this additive, which logically fits in with the modification of the lubrication process. In general, the tool behaves almost perfectly: there are no complaints, except for a high price, from the consumer segment to it.
Virtues
- an increase in engine performance by an average of 2.3%;
- modification of the lubrication process of rubbing surfaces with the parallel formation of a resistant protective coating, reducing the influence of negative factors;
- significantly reduced exhaust smoke.
disadvantages
- high price.
Castrol tda
Rating: 4.8
Active additive for single use, characterized by a great effect on diesel engines during the cold season. This is its main advantage over rivals, since all other manufacturers prefer to focus on the summer season.
Castrol TDA is a real storehouse of useful properties, up to protecting parts from corrosion and modernizing the process of lubricating them with oil. Its components are designed to complement the action of additives that are in the engine oil, without blocking or neutralizing them. In addition, the amount of additive composition is not able to affect the change in the density and viscosity of the oil, since the average ratio between them hardly passes the mark of 1 to 900. As for the work in the winter period, users note a significant ease in the engine start-up process ( for removing the additional load of friction), as well as the softness of his work. Ultimately, Castrol TDA is the case when the cost does not fully characterize the usefulness of the application, which, of course, is in the hands of the ordinary buyer.
Virtues
- pronounced beneficial effect on the diesel engine in the winter;
- additive concentration does not affect the viscosity of the oil;
- largely eliminates friction and facilitates easy start of the engine;
- favorable price-quality ratio.
disadvantages
- not found.
Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additiv
Rating: 4.7
The material of complex cleaning of the fuel system of diesel engines with a pronounced boost of power with constant use, the validity of a portion of which is limited to 2,000 kilometers. Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additiv is a product that is wildly popular in Europe and is not fully adopted by us.Its positive properties will be enough to ensure complete cleanliness of the fuel supply systems along with the combustion chamber: from nozzles (protection against carbon deposits) and ending with a cylinder (the composition contains highly flammable components that help burn fuel to reduce emissions and carbon deposits directly in the chamber).
In addition to the pronounced cleansing ability, Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additiv has the ability to prevent the occurrence of corrosion and increases the lubricating properties of the fuel (but only at low sulfur content). The composition is expensive, but it is more than compensated by good performance.
Virtues
- has a cleansing effect on the fuel system (removes carbon from the injectors and contributes to the cleanliness of the fuel pump;
- possesses anticorrosive action;
- increases the lubricity of the fuel, which facilitates the start-up process;
- valid for 2 thousand kilometers.
disadvantages
- high price;
- unpleasant and strong synthetic smell.
Suprotec Active (Diesel)
Rating: 4.6
Tribological composition for single or interval use, which is able to significantly minimize the risk of transmission failure due to intense friction and temperature changes. Suprotec Active is quite expensive, but very popular among diesel car owners. Its action takes place in several stages:
at first, the parts are washed with elimination of traces of soot;
subsequently, a protective layer begins to form, which partially (on micrometers) restores the worn surface of friction units and contributes to further protection against a combination of harmful effects.
In essence, Suprotec Active is very good at pouring into orderly worn out engines, which do not yet show signs of imminent demise. Namely: an increase in gas pressure in the crankcase, increased oil consumption and a decrease in compression rings. According to users, the positive effect of the application manifests itself almost immediately: the car begins to respond better to pressing the gas pedal, and the noise under the hood becomes smaller.
Virtues
- economical in use (single or interval casting for the long term);
- recommended for use in worn diesel engines;
- two stages of action: cleaning and the formation of a protective layer with a partial restoration of the size of a fraction of a micrometer.
disadvantages
- quite high price.
Top additives for PPC
Liqui Moly GearProtect
Rating: 4.9
Gel-type additive developed and tested at one of the best production sites of the auto chemistry and auto fuel segment. Liqui Moly GearProtect is an even more expensive, but very high-quality additive for manual transmissions, designed to work in heavily loaded nodes with the need for long-term preservation of the working resource. Rumor has it that the beneficial residual properties of this composition are maintained even at 5 thousand kilometers of run - an outstanding result.
Among the useful properties of Liqui Moly GearProtect, users note a significant (several times more pronounced than that of competitors) increase in smoothness and softness of the transition from one gear to another, as well as the overall protection of the mechanism from negative thermochemical and frictional effects. Yes, with the introduction of additives in the oil should be a little tricky: complete with a tube comes a special syringe for dispensing and facilitating the injection of the composition into the oil, which will definitely take some time. But the slight inconvenience in the use of nothing compared with the positive effects of the application.
Virtues
- extremely pronounced positive effect on the manual gearbox mechanism;
- increased smoothness and softness of switching;
- very long working time (over 100 thousand kilometers).
disadvantages
- high price;
- slight inconvenience of the introduction of additives in the oil.
RVS Master Transmission Tr5
Rating: 4.8
A rather expensive composition of foreign production, which acts as an active reductant of worn surfaces (within hundredths of a millimeter) and a friction modifier in the nodes. RVS Master Transmission Tr5 is an additive that complements the set of useful properties of gear oil, without affecting its technical condition in terms of quality. The unique working formula of the composition is designed to compensate for the geometry of worn parts subjected to intense friction, by creating a durable protective layer with high resistance to aggressive environmental influences.
With standard use in accordance with the recommendations of manufacturers of one package RVS Master Transmission Tr5 should be enough for 5 liters of transmission oil. This ratio of fluids will be enough to significantly improve the working conditions of gearboxes of any type, up to reducing noise and improving the softness of the shift.
Virtues
- active influence on the micro-restoration of the structure of worn surfaces;
- reduction of noise and vibrations during the operation of the unit, as well as an increase in the softness of gear shifting;
- easy pouring - no need to measure the amount of liquid per milliliter.
disadvantages
- expensive relative to competitors.
Suprotek - automatic transmission
Rating: 4.7
The third line of the rating goes to SUPROTEC additive, about which miraculous properties have long been legendary. The standard complex of active components is replenished with a group of metal ions that “stick” to the worn parts of the gearbox parts, creating something like a dense surface layer. This layer, in turn, is distinguished by the constancy of the chemical composition, heat and wear resistance, reduces vibrations and hum in the transmission.
Among other things, "Suprotek-Automatic" greatly facilitates the process of gear shifting, which has a positive effect on the dynamics of running in old cars and helps in working with new models. As the manufacturer, the shelf life of the bottle (80 milliliters) is 5 years, after which the beneficial properties of the liquid begin to decrease exponentially.
Virtues
- The optimum ratio of price and quality;
- noticeable softness of gear changes after using the tool;
- in the composition of the active components with metal ions, performing the role of reducing the geometry of worn parts.
disadvantages
- Some features of the fill - the number of treatments required to improve the operation of an automatic transmission, depends on its type and mileage.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
