Additech Class Action Says Fuel Additive is Basically ‘Snake Oil’

A recent class action lawsuit claims that Additech’s Fuel System Cleaner and Diesel Guard fuel additives are “little more than snake oil.”

Plaintiff Nick Lowry says these products are touted as effective in preventing and fighting carbon buildup, promising increased mileage, reduced emissions, and boosted performance.

Additech fuel additives are reportedly sold at the pump at gas stations including QFC, H­E­B, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Smith’s, City Market, and Kroger.

The Additech fuel cleaner class action claims that these additives are sold more than 4 million times each year at 3,000 pumps operated by service stations which get a commission off the sales.

At these locations and on the company’s website, Additech fuel additives are reportedly marketed as effective and highly beneficial for engine cleanliness.

According to Lowry’s Additech class action lawsuit, the claims made regarding Additech fuel additives are false based on how the products are advertised to work. Additech fuel additives reportedly provide benefits by cleaning carbon buildup off of intake valves during the fuel injection process.

“Additech’s products purportedly clean these engine parts when the additive-fuel mixture is injected into the intake manifold and washes over the backside of the valves,” the Additech class action explains.

However, Lowry argues that only half of consumer vehicles operate with engines that incorporate intake valves in the fuel injection process. In the other half of vehicles, intake valves are allegedly completely bypassed and fuel is instead shot directly into the engine’s combustion chamber.

“Although Additech’s fuel additives do not [provide] the advertised benefits, Additech inundates consumers purchasing fuel at its partner gas stations with false and misleading representations about the advantages of using its products, preying on those unfamiliar with engine functionality,” Lowry claims.

“Consumers are especially susceptible to relying on Additech’s representations about the efficacy of its products because the delivery system is integrated with the fuel pump,” the Additech fuel additives class action lawsuit states.

Additech has allegedly “hoodwinked” thousands of consumers into purchased their fuel additives with their “false and misleading” advertising statements. Lowry claims that this deception is a violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act.

Additech recently removed the class action to Washington federal court, claiming that the damages allegedly sustained by the Class exceed the $5 million threshold. The company also cited the size of the proposed Class, which is estimated to be larger than 1,000.

Lowry seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased Additech Fuel System Cleaner or Diesel Guard in Washington state after Jan. 7, 2015. The Additech class action lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, declaratory relief, actual damages, treble damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Lowry and the proposed Class are represented by Beth E. Terrell and Benjamin M. Drachler of Terrell Marshall Law Group PLLC and Daniel L. Warshaw, Michael H. Pearson and Eric J. Mont of Pearson Simon & Warshaw LLP.

The Additech Fuel Additives Class Action Lawsuit is Lowry v. Additech Inc., Case No. 2:19­-cv-­00241, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

UPDATE: The Additech Fuel Additives Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on November 12, 2019.