Perhaps my use of Opti products is 'overkill', but I like to stick with what I know works. In the commercial lawn business, I agree that use of certain expensive products is not justified, but for the homeowner who changes oil once a year, the cost is not important. FWIW, I also use Opti-2, but at 66:1. It probably is okay at 100:1 but my nerve runs out at 66:1. It has been working for me at this ratio in Lawn-Boys and other 2-cycles for 13 years. Deposits are minimal and there is never a need for exhaust port or muffler cleaning. I recently sold my 1994 LB 10201, and the compression actually felt higher than new - the front wheels would come off the ground when pulling the starter cord. This is one of the major effects of Opti oils - surface improvement by 'Eutectic' means. It definitely is not synthetic, being a paraffin-based oil. Plus, Opti oils are designed for air-cooled equipment where automotive products are not.

When I worked as a mechanic at a Buick dealership, some of the old mechanics would pour water down the carburetor VERY SLOWLY. The water turns to steam and the shock knocks off the carbon. When the old ladies would bring in those beautiful Buick Electras and Riverias because they idled rough,the Service Manager would take the car out on the freeway and really get after it. I went with him once and you could actually hear the carbon particles tinkling out the exhaust pipes. He would ask if they were burning Ethel as recommended in those 11:1 high compression engines. The customers jaw would jut out and they would say they will only burn regular. Idiots. I think adding transmission fluid to your gas would only carbon up your engine even more, if it did anything. Sorry off topic. I use Stabil and fill the gas tank to the top to prevent condensation from forming when I park my GT for the winter. (I empty my weedwacker,leaf blower and chain saw whenever they won't be used for several weeks.) Six months later the GT starts right up. I don't have any experience with SEaFoam.

Here's a more complete EPA list of the new 2005 vehicles....probably substract ~10% for real world numbers. 2005 Model Year Fuel Economy Leaders MPG Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway 1. Honda Insight (hybrid-electric, manual) 61/66 2. Toyota Prius (hybrid-electric) 60/51 3. Honda Insight (hybrid-electric, automatic) 57/56 4. Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic, lean burn) 48/47 5. Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic) 47/48 6. Honda Civic Hybrid (manual, lean burn) 46/51 7. Honda Civic Hybrid (manual) 45/51 8. Volkswagen New Beetle/Golf/Jetta (diesel, manual) 38/46 9. Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (diesel, manual) 36/47 10. Honda Civic (manual) 36/44 Highest Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class 2005 Model Year MPG Class Model city/highway Two Seater Honda Insight (manual) 61/66 Minicompact Car Mini Cooper (manual 5-speed) 28/36 Subcompact Car Volkswagen New Beetle Diesel (man.) 38/46 Compact Car Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic, "lean burn") 48/47 Midsize Car Toyota Prius (hybrid) 60/51 Large Car Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 22/30 Small Station Wagon Volkswagen Jetta Wagon Diesel (manual) 36/47 Midsize Station Wagon Passat Diesel Wagon 27/38 Sport Utility Vehicle Ford Escape HEV (2WD) 36/31 Minivan Honda Odyssey 20/28 Pickup Truck Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD 24/29 Mazda B2300 2WD Cargo Van Chevrolet Astro 2WD (Cargo) 16/22 GMC Safari 2WD (Cargo) * Passenger Van Chevrolet Astro 2WD (Passenger) 16/21 GMC Safari 2WD (Passenger) Lowest Fuel Economy Models* 2005 Model Year MPG Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway 1. Dodge Ram Pickup 2WD (automatic) 9/12 2. Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago (manual) 9/13 3. Dodge Ram Pickup 2WD (manual) 9/15 Lamborghini L-140/141 Gallardo (automatic) " 4. Bentley Arnage, Arnage LWB 10/14 5. Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago (automatic) 10/15 6. Ferrari 360 Modena/Spider/Challenge (automatic) 10/16 Ferrari 575 M Maranello (manual) " 7. Ferrari 575 M Maranello (automatic-3mode) 10/17 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (automatic) " Lamborghini L-140/141 Gallardo " 8. Ferrari 360 Modena/Spider/Challenge (manual) 11/16 9. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (manual) 11/17 10. Bentley Continental GT (automatic) 11/18 Aston Martin DB9 Volante (automatic) " *Trucks over 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating are exempt from federal fuel economy requirements. Lowest Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class* 2005 Model Year MPG Class Make/Model city/highway Two Seater Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago 9/13 Minicompact Car Aston Martin DB9 Volante 11/18 Subcompact Car Maserati Coupe & Gransport 12/17 Compact Car Bentley Continental GT 11/18 Midsize Car Bentley Arnage 10/14 Large Car Bentley Arnage LWB 10/14 Small Station Wagon Audi S4 Avant (manual) 15/21 Midsize Station Wagon Mercedes E55 AMG Wagon 14/21 Sport Utility Vehicle Mercedes G55 AMG 12/14 Minivan Kia Sedona 16/22 Pickup Truck Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD 9/12 Cargo Van Chevrolet Astro AWD (Cargo) Conv 14/17 GMC Safari AWD (Cargo) Conv " Ford E150 Econoline 2WD " Passenger Van Ford E150 Club Wagon 13/17

I see where the price of crude dropped to around $42/barrel yesterday, if that keeps going down the price of #2 may drop below $1.69 by the time I get my first delivery, ha. Who knows? Perhaps it's even folks like me that "pre-buy" who cause the later price to go up? Mid-Atlanic winter season is predicted to be colder and snowier than normal so I guess I'm ready? vgkg