11 best additives for the engine and transmission

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Additives are a universal means of preventing wear of the internal elements of the engine and transmission by protecting against friction, temperature changes and chemical attack. In addition to the fact that 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 not the best cutting fluid.

At the present stage of development of the auto chemistry segment, more than 50 companies around the world are engaged in the production of additives. Naturally, each individual product has its own quality tolerance and a set of certificates of conformity, so an independent choice often becomes a real lottery. In connection with the current situation, the team of the magazine conducted its own research of a large market, and selected 11 formulations, the effectiveness of which has been repeatedly proven. All additives included in the rating are versatile and can be used in various brands and models of cars. The key criteria for selecting products for the final list of the best were consumer reviews, as well as a complete list and comparison of the results of testing samples for compliance with the declared performance indicators.

Rating of the best additives for the engine and transmission

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best automotive additives for gasoline engines	1	Suprotec Active Plus	RUB 1,660
	2	RVS Master	RUB 1,650
	3	Liqui Moly CeraTec	RUB 1,783
	4	SMT Oil Treatment	RUB 550
Best Automotive Diesel Additives	1	Bardahl full metal	RUB 1,900
	2	Castrol TDA	490 RUB
	3	Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additiv	RUB 535
	4	Suprotec Active (Diesel)	1 600 rub.
The best gearbox additives	1	Liqui Moly GearProtect	RUB 2,875
	2	RVS Master Transmission Tr5	RUB 1,500
	3	'Suprotek – automatic transmission'	RUB 1,180

The best automotive additives for gasoline engines

Suprotec Active Plus

Rating: 4.9

The current leader in the category of additives for gasoline engines is the composition from SUPROTEC, which has the most positive effect on engines in intact or in satisfactory working condition. It will be expensive and ineffective to purchase Active Plus for a car that is already living out its life: treatment with additives will hardly pull it out of a critical or limiting state. But for work in a fairly 'live' unit, it is ideal: 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 an increased working resource even with rare use of the composition.

In this case, only one fact is upsetting: the introduction of SUPROTEC Active Plus into the engine takes place in two stages. On the first, the inside of the motor is washed for a certain period of time, the spent liquid is drained, and on the second, a full-fledged filling with a new portion of oil follows for long-term operation. By the way, this measure is enough for 50 thousand kilometers, which has been proven in field tests on a real car (not on the stand). Yes, let it be expensive, and let it have to be a little confused, but the positive effect is definitely worth it.

Advantages

• works great in used and brand new engines;
• validity period is calculated for 50 thousand kilometers;
• a significant increase in the characteristics of gasoline engines: a decrease in fuel consumption, noise and vibration, an increase in power;

disadvantages

• two-stage processing;
• high cost (for the first filling, two bottles of additives are required).

RVS Master

Rating: 4.8

This tribotechnical composition is often opposed to products from the SUPRATEC company – on Internet forums, consumers inflate whole scandals and wage serious battles. We will act wiser – both the one and the other product are equally good in their business. Yes, in terms of improving engine performance, RVS Master is slightly inferior to its opponent – the emphasis in the sentence should be on the word 'a little'. For example, fuel economy will be around 2.9% and power will increase by 2.5%. But this product also has a number of very strong points that SUPRATEC Active could not master.

We are talking about the possibility of using the RVS Master with very old engines that are on the verge of last breakdown. Moreover, the effect of the application will be tantamount to gradual maintenance. What we mean: the composite sintered composition of the additive has a directed effect on the surface of the parts, forming a wear-resistant protective layer with a low coefficient of friction. This prevents further frictional action on the base metal, which allows the engine elements to last longer (about 40-50 thousand kilometers). Another plus: processing in one fill, eliminating any problems with dosage and re-introduction of the additive into the oil.

Advantages

• recommended for work with worn out engines;
• has an excellent restorative effect on the surface of parts;
• the effectiveness of the action is maintained for 40-50 thousand kilometers;
• does not require two-stage filling.

disadvantages

• quite high price;
• slightly less pronounced increase in engine performance than the main competitor.

Liqui Moly CeraTec

Rating: 4.7

One of the few advanced formulations that protects the engine from the harmful effects of temperature, friction and chemical attack by forming a bonded ceramic layer on the surface. In addition, Liqui Moly CeraTec has incorporated a complex of organic components with molybdenum ions, which is highly durable and serves to fill microcracks and irregularities on the surface of parts in friction units.

It's no joke, but the residual working state of the filling is also 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 also has a positive effect on fuel consumption indicators: it was proved through laboratory tests that the average reduction in gasoline consumption is on average 1.8-2.4% (depending on the condition of the engine and car model). There is an increase in power (insignificant, in the region of 1%), and the resource of the motor also increases. The only problem: the tribotechnical composition is expensive, especially in view of the need for its constant use.

Advantages

• a significant increase in the working resource of the engine in the long term;
• an increase in power indicators and a decrease in fuel consumption;
• action enhanced by the addition of ceramic components and molybdenum.

disadvantages

• high price.

SMT Oil Treatment

Rating: 4.6

Probably the cheapest way to protect a motor from wear is to purchase this additive. It is quite rare on the market, but it provides a complex of positive effects no less than, say, an upstream RVS Master or chemistry from SUPROTEC.

According to the manufacturer, SMT Oil Treatment allows you to reduce oil and fuel consumption, reduce smoke by promoting complete burnout, increase compression (which is very important for worn engines) and provide an increase in power. Through repeated bench tests, all these statements were substantiated: the complex really works as directed, one way or another performing all the functions imposed on it. It is another matter that in the operation of this difference 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 is a really good composition. Even if it is not as effective as the manufacturer describes, it will definitely not be able to harm the engine.

Advantages

• 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 in expressiveness in real operation.

Best Automotive Diesel Additives

Bardahl full metal

Rating: 4.9

The Belgian additive Bardahl Full Metal is positioned as an advanced formulation, the components of which affect the behavioral abilities of technical fluids. In particular, the process of lubrication of rubbing surfaces is improved: 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 winter.

In addition, Bardahl Full Metal has an effect on reducing smoke emissions by significantly lowering soot concentrations, which in turn has a positive effect on the environmental performance of diesel engines. According to experts, this additive is also characterized by an increase in engine power indicators, which logically fits with the modification of the lubrication process. In general, the tool behaves almost perfectly: there are no complaints, except for the high price, from the consumer segment to it.

Advantages

• increase in engine power indicators by an average of 2.3%;
• modification of the lubrication process of rubbing surfaces with the parallel formation of a stable protective coating, which reduces the influence of negative factors;
• significant reduction in exhaust smoke.

disadvantages

• high price.

Castrol TDA

Rating: 4.8

An active additive for single use, characterized by an excellent effect on diesel engines during cold periods. This is its main advantage over its competitors, since all other manufacturers prefer to focus on the summer season.

Castrol TDA is a treasure trove of useful properties, including protecting parts from corrosion and modernizing the process of lubricating them with oil. Its components are designed to complement the effect of the additives in the engine oil, without blocking or neutralizing them. In addition, the amount of the additive composition is not able to affect the change in the density and viscosity of the oil, since the average ratio between them hardly goes over the mark of 1 to 900. As for work in winter, users note a significant facilitation of the process of starting the engine (due to for removing the additional load of friction), as well as the softness of its work. Ultimately, Castrol TDA is the case when the cost does not fully characterize the usefulness of the application, which, of course, plays into the hands of an ordinary buyer.

Advantages

• pronounced beneficial effect on a diesel engine in winter;
• the concentration of the additive does not affect the viscosity of the oil;
• largely eliminates friction and facilitates easier engine starting;
• favorable price-quality ratio.

disadvantages

• not found.

Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additiv

Rating: 4.7

Material for complex cleaning of the fuel system of diesel engines with a pronounced power boost with constant use, the duration of the portion of which is limited to 2 thousand kilometers. Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additiv is a product that is wildly popular in Europe and has not yet fully taken root in our country. Its positive properties are enough to ensure complete cleanliness of the fuel supply systems together with the combustion chamber: from the injectors (protection against carbon deposits) and ending with the cylinder (the composition contains flammable components that help to burn the fuel to reduce emissions and carbon deposits directly in the chamber).

In addition to the pronounced cleaning ability of Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additiv, it has the ability to prevent corrosion and increases the lubricating properties of the fuel (but only with a low sulfur content). The composition is a little expensive, but more than compensates for this with good performance.

Advantages

• has a cleaning effect on the fuel system (removes carbon deposits from injectors and contributes to the cleanliness of the fuel pump;
• has an anti-corrosion effect;
• increases the lubricity of the fuel, which facilitates the starting process;
• operates within 2 thousand kilometers.

disadvantages

• high price;
• unpleasant and strong synthetic odor.

Suprotec Active (Diesel)

Rating: 4.6

Tribotechnical compound for single or interval use, capable of minimizing the risk of transmission breakdown to a large extent under intense friction and temperature fluctuations. Suprotec Active is quite expensive but very popular among diesel car owners. Its action takes place in several stages:

first, the parts are washed to remove carbon deposits;

subsequently, a protective layer begins to form, which partially (by micrometers) restores the worn surface of friction units and contributes to further protection from a combination of harmful effects.

In fact, the Suprotec Active is very good at refilling well worn out engines that are not yet showing signs of imminent demise. Namely: an increase in gas pressure in the crankcase, increased oil consumption and weakening of the compression rings. As users note, the positive effect of the application is manifested almost immediately: the car begins to respond better to pressing the gas pedal, and the noise under the hood becomes less.

Advantages

• economical to use (single or interval filling for a long-term period);
• recommended for use in worn out diesel engines;
• two stages of action: cleaning and formation of a protective layer with partial restoration of the size by a fraction of a micrometer.

disadvantages

• quite high price.

The best gearbox additives

Liqui Moly GearProtect

Rating: 4.9

Gel-type additive, developed and tested at one of the best production sites in the segment of auto chemistry and motor oils. Liqui Moly GearProtect is an even more expensive, but very high quality additive for manual transmissions, designed to work in high-loaded units with the need to maintain a long working life. Rumor has it that the useful residual properties of this composition are preserved even at 5 thousand kilometers – an outstanding result.

Among the useful properties of Liqui Moly GearProtect, users note a significant (several times more pronounced than competitors') increase in the smoothness and softness of the transition from one gear to another, as well as the general protection of the mechanism from negative thermochemical and frictional effects. Yes, you need to tinker a little with the introduction of the additive into the oil: a special syringe is supplied with the tube for dosing and facilitating the injection of the composition into the oil, which will definitely take some time. But small inconveniences in use are nothing compared to the positive effects of the application.

Advantages

• extremely pronounced positive effect on the manual transmission mechanism;
• increased smoothness and softness of switching;
• very long operating time (within 100 thousand kilometers).

disadvantages

• high price;
• slight inconvenience of introducing an additive into the oil.

RVS Master Transmission Tr5

Rating: 4.8

A fairly expensive composition of foreign production, which plays the role of an active reducer 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 transmission oil, without affecting its technical condition in terms of visibility. The unique working formula of the compound 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.

In standard applications, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, one pack of RVS Master Transmission Tr5 should be sufficient for 5 liters of transmission oil. This fluid ratio will be sufficient to significantly improve the operating conditions of any type of gearbox, up to a reduction in noise and an increase in shift softness.

Advantages

• active influence on micro-restoration of the structure of worn-out surfaces;
• reduction of noise and vibration during the operation of the unit, as well as increasing the softness of gear shifting;
• ease of filling – no need to measure the amount of liquid by milliliters.

disadvantages

• expensive, relative to competitors, composition.

Suprotek – automatic transmission

Rating: 4.7

The third line of the rating goes to the SUPROTEC additive, about whose miraculous properties have long been legendary. The standard complex of active ingredients here is replenished with a group of metal ions, which 'stick' to the worn parts of the gearbox parts, creating a kind of dense surface layer. This layer, in turn, is characterized by constant chemical composition, heat and wear resistance, reduces vibration and hum in the transmission.

Among other things, 'Suprotek-AKPP' greatly facilitates the process of gear shifting, which has a positive effect on the break-in dynamics of old cars and helps in working with new models. As the manufacturer notes, the shelf life of the bottle (80 milliliters) is 5 years, after which the beneficial properties of the liquid begin to decrease exponentially.

Advantages

• The optimum ratio of price and quality;
• tangible softness of gear shifting after using the product;
• in the composition of active components with metal ions, which act as reducing agents for the geometry of worn parts.

disadvantages

• some features of filling – the number of treatments required to improve the operation of an automatic transmission depends on its type and mileage.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.