Automakers often warn consumers against using any form of additives in a car's engine or fuel system. Some will even inform a person that if additives are put into the oil or fuel system, any active warranties will be null and void. However, that may be the case when talking about specific products that are flooding the market, but on the other hand, some products stand out with undeniable qualities.

Even when testing shows that Mystery Oil can help the components of a vehicle that seem to break the most, there will still be some mechanics who will still consider it to be just another market ploy. A marketing tactic that aims to cost money in return for empty promises of improved engine performance and longevity. This is not always the case, though. Today's innovative technological advances help companies create products that are actually very helpful.

Here are a few good reasons why a car or truck owner should always use a bottle of Mystery Oil when filling the gas tank or changing the oil. Just make sure that the directions on the back of the container are followed to the letter to ensure that the product works the way it was designed to.

Updated July 10, 2023: Mystery Marvel Oil is one of those products that only changes for the good, but some things need to be discussed. The world is shifting gears and leaning towards electric vehicles (EVs) away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, so this type of product may become harder to find. The great thing is that there will always be auto parts stores that will offer a place to pick up products and parts for most ICE cars and trucks, even after the world has moved to reduce carbon emissions going into the atmosphere.

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1 The History Of Marvel Mystery Oil

Part of any brand's journey to success is its heritage. The more of it a brand has, the more trustworthy it becomes in the eyes of others. Luckily, Marvel is a company with a great, long history. It was founded in 1923 by Burt Pierce, who was already known as the inventor of the Marvel carburetor. It has since established a legendary status in the additives market.

He came through with a specially-developed formula that cleaned clogged carburetors – a problem many WWI vehicles suffered from. It is a combination of mostly petroleum distillates, which makes a combination of chemicals that creates thermally resistant polymers. That may be a little over the head unless chemistry is a subject of interest, but what is essential to know is that Marvel Mystery Oil has many uses. Since those early days, the company has had a long history of providing quality products.

2 Marvel Mystery Oil Is Good For Any Type Of Engine

Toyota 1GR FE V6 Engine in a Land Cruiser
Just New Cars via YouTube

Marvel Mystery Oil is highly versatile because it can be used in gasoline and diesel engines. It also doesn't matter if the engine is conventional or rotary. Mystery Marvel Oil performs well on all engine applications – automotive, motorcycle, marine, agricultural, and competition.

The best part is that it is safe to use on vehicles with catalytic converters because even though it will not help fix a plugged one, Mystery Marvel Oil will not cause any damage to it. Thanks to its wide variety of uses, this product can be used in anything with an internal combustion engine (ICE). However, be aware it is not designed or needed in newer cars with electric motors. It really is a "Jack of all trades" when used for its intended purposes.

3 Marvel Mystery Oil Can Be Mixed With All Types Of Fuel And Oil

Dodge Challenger R/T V-8 engine
Lissandra Melo via Shutterstock

Marvel Mystery Oil can be used as an oil and fuel additive. Regardless of the fuel type, four ounces (113.4 grams) per 10 gallons (38 liters), or alternatively six ounces (170 grams) for every 15 gallons (58 liters), should be added for optimal results.

Marvel Mystery Oil is not suited for diesel engines after 2007. For diesel engines after this year, use Marvel Ultimate Fuel & Motor Treatment instead.

As an oil additive, it is recommended to replace up to 20 percent of the engine oil to enhance its lubrication and cleaning properties, regardless of whether it's traditional or synthetic oil.

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4 Marvel Mystery Oil Cleans The Fuel System And Improves Gas Mileage

When mixed with the fuel, Marvel Mystery Oil reduces carbon monoxide emissions and removes any water in the fuel. Essentially, it purifies the fuel from any deposits that potentially threaten your engine's health. Cleaner fuel translates into better gas mileage. There are alternatives to this product, one of which is using seafoam.

However, in the Marvel Mystery Oil vs. Seafoam comparison, the Marvel product wins simply due to its much broader application. As mentioned before, putting Marvel Mystery Oil in gas, diesel, or biodiesel improves fuel economy while eliminating harmful elements in the engine and fuel system.

5 Marvel Mystery Oil Is Good For Most Motorcycles Too

Marvel Mystery Oil can also be used on bikes unless your motorcycle has a wet clutch. As with bigger vehicles, the additive must replace 20 percent of the engine oil for ideal results. This is excellent news for owners looking to store their motorcycles for the cold season and for people who only ride once a year.

Completing this procedure before storage allows Mystery Oil to clean old contaminated oil from the engine while protecting the system from freezing or causing deterioration of rubber hoses or gaskets. This is extremely important for the two-wheelers since motorbikes' maintenance intervals are twice as frequent.

6 Marvel Mystery Oil Prevents Oil From Thickening At Low Temperatures

Harley-Davidson 121ci
TopSpeed/Harley-Davidson

When using Marvel Mystery Oil as an oil additive during winter, the vehicle will also benefit from its oil-thinning capabilities. When temperatures are low, the thickness of the engine oil is often similar to that of maple syrup.

This puts more strain on the engine components, making the oil filter's job more difficult. Marvel's Mystery Oil thins out the oil to the degree that allows it to run smoothly while still providing excellent protection to the engine.

RELATED: 10 Tips To Improve Motorcycle Fuel Economy

7 Marvel Mystery Oil Controls Engine Sludge

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Engine
Dodge

In addition to cleaning all types of engines, Marvel Mystery Oil also prevents oil sludge in an engine. Oil sludge may form because of a bad engine design, regular engine work at very low temperatures, or incorrect maintenance intervals. The Mystery Oil saves the day once again thanks to its cleaning formula, as long as it is used consistently and according to the directions.

After a few oil changes, the engine sludge is gone, thus restoring the performance and proper lubrication cycle of an engine. However, remember that this does not mean that oil changes do not need to be done. Adding this product to the oil without changing it regularly will not do any good, even though it will delay the damage being done by not keeping up with the routine maintenance tasks.

8 Marvel Mystery Oil Is Effective Against Corrosion

2008 Nissan GT-R Engine
Nissan

An engine can start corroding at any time, but more so when it is not started and used. This is especially true for engines that haven't been started in a long time or are being used in very cold temperatures. Water may condense on the bore (inside the cylinders), slowly diminishing the protective oil film.

When added to the oil, Marvel Mystery Oil uses its formula to strengthen the oil film, thus preventing any potential rust inside your engine. Using Marvel in any car is vital to keep it in top shape, but it must be added to a vehicle that will be parked for any length of time. If in doubt, conduct the basic maintenance procedures and add a new bottle of Mystery Oil to ensure adequate protection.

9 Marvel Mystery Oil Lubricates Rubber Parts

2003 Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster
mecum.com

The engine bay contains many rubber-made materials, such as seals/gaskets, hoses, wire shields, and bushings. Among the most crucial rubber parts are diaphragm pumps or carburetor accelerator pumps on older vehicles, which inject fuel to smooth the transition between gear shifts. Rubber provides greater flexibility and can tolerate various chemicals, heat, and cold.

However, exposure to temperature extremes is not recommended. Like many other parts, with time, the rubber parts wear out, lose flexibility and start to crack along the surface. Once again, Marvel Mystery Oil comes in handy. Thanks to its formula, it keeps all important rubber parts lubricated, thus prolonging their life and the engine's overall life.

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10 Marvel Mystery Oil Prevents Ticking Lifters

Ticking lifters are a nasty symptom, and they can wear down the patience of all the occupants in the vehicle, as well as the lifespan of the engine. Another benefit of using Marvel Mystery Oil as an oil additive is that it takes care of most of the engine's symptoms.

One of the most common reasons for ticking lifters is a buildup of oil deposits, which prevent the pushrods or camshaft from contacting the lifters. Through its cleaning properties, Mystery Oil can make all deposits disappear for an obstruction-free motion of all moving parts of the engine.

11 Marvel Mystery Oil Helps Remove Stuck Spark Plugs

A parked 1967 Chevrolet 427 SS
Mecum

Changing a car's spark plugs may be a particularly frustrating procedure, especially when they have seized due to rust buildup, time, or cold temperatures. The uses for Marvel Mystery Oil are not depleted by just cleaning the inside of the engine. It can help with some of the external parts as well. Spraying or dripping some of it around the spark plug eventually dissolves the buildup around it, taking a significant amount of hassle away.

It usually takes around three hours before the part can be taken out. Three hours can be used to change the other components of the tune-up, such as the air filter and the spark plug wires.

12 The Price Of Marvel Mystery Oil Is Low And Worth It

Marvel Mystery Oil Bottle
Marvel Mystery Oil

Marvel Mystery Oil requires a surprisingly small investment considering its wide application and incredible versatility. Prices start from just $ 7.49, and the bigger packages go up to just $ 35.99. Keep in mind that different retail locations will charge their own set prices, depending upon the markup percentage that they require.

However, for the price, the vehicle owner will get an oil and fuel additive that can be applied to any engine, from lawnmowers to agricultural equipment. It works with almost any drivetrain configuration and can also be used for internal and external lubrication.

RELATED: Maintenance Procedures You can do Yourself and Save a Little Cash

13 Marvel Mystery Oil Lubricates Fuel Injectors

2010 Ford Fusion Engine
Ford

Fuel injectors are a part of the engine that many people take advantage of. They get left alone until they completely stop working, whether due to buildup or breakage. In these cases, breakage is not something that can be fixed without actually replacing the part, but when buildup happens, a simple solution is to add a bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil into the gas tank. This will not only help break up any already present buildup but also help reduce the chance of an injector becoming plugged up with gunk.

14 Marvel Mystery Oil Lubricates Carburetors

A parked 1969 Chevrolet L88 Corvette
Mecum

Most vehicles produced today, and over the past few decades, will have some type of fuel injection system. However, when traveling back in time a little further to some of the true classic trucks, muscle cars, and luxury sedans, it will be found that many have a carburetor instead of injectors.

Many muscle car builders refuse to use anything except a good four-barrel carburetor, except for maybe two or three two-barrel versions for a blower setup. The point is that even if the vehicle has a carburetor instead of fuel injectors, Marvel Mystery Oil will keep all the parts lubricated and clean of debris.

15 Marvel Mystery Oil Prevents Varnish And Gum Buildup

Engine bay of a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Convertible from Bruce Springsteen
Mecum Auctions

Carbon or fuel buildup of any kind can raise havoc on the engine. That is one of the reasons why manufacturers strongly urge vehicle owners to change their fluids on a set routine. The companies also tell all their consumers that keeping up with the routine maintenance lists every new car receives is imperative.

A maintenance schedule is usually found online if an older classic model is parked in the driveway. If not, contact the local dealer to see if they can help. Either way, Marvel Mystery Oil will coat all the internal components that make the engine work, so adding it to the oil and fuel tanks is imperative.

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16 Marvel Mystery Oil Prevents Scoring Or Seizing

A parked 1968 AMC AMX
Mecum

A seized-up engine is not anything that vehicle owners want to deal with because sometimes it can cost more to replace the engine than it would be to junk it and buy a new model. Of course, that is not always within reason for people on a budget, so the best thing to do is take preventative measures to ensure the engine does not seize.

It is also vital to help prevent any scoring that can be done by debris floating around in the system, which is why Marvel Mystery Oil needs to be added to every oil change.

17 Marvel Mystery Works As A Great Grease And Window Cleaner

A parked Afeela concept
Afeela

One thing that you never seem to have around when you need it is window cleaner. When working on your vehicle, touching the windshield or side window is easy to do with your greasy hands. Usually, this would be hard to get off without some kind of cleaner, but once again, since you already have some Mystery Oil on the shelf you can use it to clean your windows.

The first time you try, it will make you a little nervous, but once you see how well it works, you may never go back to the blue stuff. Just remember, newspaper works the best to prevent smears, while rags work the best to get large clumps of grease off first.

18 Marvel Mystery Oil Stops Transmission Fluid Leaks

Manual transmission of a Toyota GR Corolla
Toyota

A small transmission leak can raise havoc on your car or truck, leading you to drop it off at the nearest transmission shop for repairs. A couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars later, the repair is fixed, and off you go. Unfortunately, the one thing that you did not know is that, more times than not, a small transmission leak is caused by an imperfection in the gasket.

A spot that has deteriorated and formed a gap that is allowing the fluid to flow out. Before taking your rig to the mechanic, try up to 16 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil (no more than 16 ounces) and see if you can save yourself some time and serious money.

RELATED: 10 Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Vehicle

19 Marvel Mystery Oil Helps With Cold Weather Starts

White GMC Canyon
GMC

Cold weather is not easy to deal with at times, especially when you own a vehicle that does not like to start when the fluids and moving parts are cold. Lubricating everything with a bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil before the weather turns bad can help the car start at any time, even when the wind chill causes the real feel to dip below zero. Sadly for you, that does not help you open the door, so keep some lock de-icer handy as well.

20 Marvel Mystery Oil Is Biodegradable And Non-toxic

2023 Sequoia TRD Pro with visible TRD Pro Skid Plate
Toyota

According to the Marvel Mystery Oil Safety Data Sheet, the chemical is non-toxic and only truly harmful if swallowed. If it contacts the skin for prolonged lengths of time, you may get a rash, and it is not suggested that you try to inhale it because that could cause some lung problems later in life. Remember that Mystery Oil is a chemical, and even though it is biodegradable and non-toxic, you should always wear the proper safety equipment (gloves, eye protection, etc.) when using it.