If you are on the hunt for a fuel additive that can thoroughly clean your engine and improve its performance, then Seafoam and STP motor treatment should be amongst your top choices. Even though Seafoam is more popular, STP has been heavily marketed.
This is why when you walk into a store looking for some Seafoam, besides it you are going to see STP with a packaging that looks almost identical to Seafoam. When you look a little bit closer, you realize that the product info is also similar.
So, here you are confused wondering whether you should switch from Seafoam to STP, or continue using what you are used to. We are here to help you with that.
STP is not the same as Seafoam. It has a deeper brown color and has a unique fishy smell. The ingredients are also very different. Keep on reading to find out more about how STP motor treatment compares to Seafoam.
What is Seafoam?
Whenever you are comparing two products, you must analyze each product separately. Considering how sensitive a car’s engine is, you should be very mindful about what you put inside it.
Before proceeding further with our review, you should know that Seafoam is EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) registered. Meaning that the chemicals used are safe for use.
Moving on to the main uses of this product, Seafoam is one of the most effective motor treatments.
It entered the auto market back in 1942 and ever since, it has been the go-to choice for car owners interested in a fuel additive that can clean their engines.
Invented by Fred Fandrei, Seafoam was first sold to fishermen in Lake Freeman in Indiana. This is where this formula got its name.
Several decades, Seafoam is one of the leading fuel additive brands in the world. It is trusted by mechanics as well as car owners. And the formula comprises no harsh ingredients that can damage the engine or fuel system.
Seafoam comes in an 8-ounce can. And according to the manufacturers, the more you add to your fuel the cleaner it will be.
However, various applications require different amounts of Seafoam. For instance, engine equipment that is used regularly should be cleaned with a can of Seafoam after every three months.
And cars that are driven regularly should be cleaned with a can of Seafoam after 3,000 miles.
This motor treatment has a wide range of uses which include; cleaning and lubrication of the cylinders, pistons, valves, carburetor passageways, and carb jets.
You can also add it to the crankcase oil to liquefy and break down oil residues and deposits.
What is STP Motor Treatment?
Though not as popular as Seafoam, STP motor treatment is slowly building a name for itself as an engine cleaner and fuel additive.
From its rich formula, car owners can be assured of the following benefits; stabilization of fuel and oil, prevention of oxidative degradation, cleaning of intake valves as well as fuel injectors, increased lubricity of various parts in the engine, and protection against viscosity buildup.
If you are on the hunt for a product that can help with engine care and maintenance then STP is the right product for you.
You can use it on your car, lawnmower, ATV, chainsaw, or any motorized equipment. What most people love about STP motor treatment is how effectively it works for engines that are both in storage or used regularly.
Similar to Seafoam, it is EPA registered so it’s safe for use. And the more frequently it is used, the more efficient your diesel and gas engines will be. STP works on both new cars and those that have been on the road for a while.
After going through several user reviews, we were surprised at how effective STP is at keeping the engines of cars with high mileage in perfect shape.
It is very easy to use and one thing you can be assured of is that STP is going to clean the muck that has been stuck on your engine for years. It doesn’t stop there.
It keeps the vehicle lubricated and this improves fuel efficiency while prolonging the life of your engine.
Unlike other fuel additives, you don’t need to go searching everywhere for STP motor treatment. It is available in all auto shops.
How Are They Different?
1. The biggest difference between these two motor treatments is the ingredients used. STP comprises xylene, Stoddard solvent, trimethylbenzene, naphthalene, naphtha, and kerosene petroleum distillates.
On the other hand, Seafoam contains isopropyl alcohol, pale oil, and naphtha.
2. The other notable difference is that STP comes with an extension that makes it easier for you to add the liquid to the fuel tank. With Seafoam, you have to improvise.
3. Popularity-wise, Seafoam is better known than its counterpart. Most people find about STP when they are shopping for Seafoam. This however doesn’t mean that STP is in any way an inferior product.
4. Hands down, a lot of car owners love Seafoam. Even though we can say that’s because of the popularity of this fuel additive. STP doesn’t receive as much love as Seafoam.
How Are They Similar?
1. Both are designed to dissolve carbon deposits in the combustion chamber as well as clean up the oil system.
2. Both are EPA registered, so they are considered safe for use.
3. You can find either product easily at your nearest auto-shop.
4. Whichever fuel additive you decide to buy, using it is going to be very easy.
What’s Better about Seafoam?
The first benefit of using Seafoam is that it does a pretty good job of cleaning the engine and the fuel system.
The second one is that many users have been using this product for years and there have been minimal complaints or reports of negative side effects.
This, therefore, assures you that your engine and fuel system will be safe. There have also been reports that some cars owners didn’t notice any change in their car’s performance.
This begs the question, does Seafoam actually work or does it have a placebo effect?
This shouldn’t come as a surprise because all products receive negative and positive reactions. The number of people who acknowledge the benefits of Seafoam is more than those who claim it doesn’t work.
Another advantage of using Seafoam is that it puts older vehicles back in excellent running condition.
The more miles a car has gone, the dirtier the engine and fuel system are. Seafoam thanks to its strong cleaning abilities, it can cut through oil and dirt deposits, thus improving your vehicle’s performance.
And before we wrap up on what’s better about Seafoam, you should know that it is a general cleaner, therefore it may not have sufficient cleaning power in vehicles that need a thorough cleaning of the oil and fuel systems.
If you own such a car, you should look for a more aggressive cleaner.
What’s Better about STP Motor Treatment?
STP motor treatment was created for the car owner who is clueless about auto maintenance. No one would like to be termed as clueless, but let’s face it, not everyone is well-informed on auto-care.
Some people only know how to clean their cars and perform oil changes. And there is nothing wrong with not being a gearhead. But, even if you aren’t enthusiastic about auto-care, a motor treatment can be of great help to you.
By getting rid of the gunk in your engine, STP improves the performance of your engine while bettering the fuel economy of your car.
It is so effective that it can silence even high mileage engines. If you were very keen when reading the ingredients listed above, you should have realized that STP contains more ingredients than Seafoam.
These extra ingredients make STP a slightly more aggressive cleaner. And that’s why it works so well on cars that need a thorough cleanse of its systems.
To get more pleasant results from STP motor treatment, we recommend replacing the fuel filter after using this cleaner.
This is because all the gunk that will be cleaned off gets trapped on the filter. And it’s very easy for the fuel filter to get blocked especially if your car was very dirty.
This is a versatile cleaner that can be used on both petrol and diesel engines. Unlike other fuel additives, STP motor treatment does not contain corrosive alcohol that can damage your car parts.
And another minor feature that is often overlooked is the extension on the side of the STP can. This makes it easier for you to pour the additive into the tank. Very few fuel additives come with such a feature.
Who Should Get Seafoam and Why?
Seafoam is ideal for use on both diesel and gas engines. You can also use it on either fuel injected or carburetted engines.
As you can see, this is a versatile cleaner and that’s why it’s very common in most mechanic shops and garages.
Even though it was formulated for all car owners, Seafoam is a favorite for most mechanics. Its wide range of uses makes it a must-have in any garage.
Who Should Get STP and Why?
Are you worried about the long-term effects of storing an engine for too long? STP motor treatment can help with that and much more.
This fuel additive is formulated to restore engine performance and removing buildup in engine and oil systems.
With some STP motor treatment in your garage, you can be assured of keeping your and other motor equipment in prime condition for a long time.
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