Herbicide · reference
Drive XLR8
A liquid formulation of quinclorac, best known as the go-to product for crabgrass control in established turf. The "XLR8" (accelerate) formulation is a water-based liquid designed to be more rainfast and faster-acting than the older dry formulation.
- Maker
- BASF Corporation
- Active
- Quinclorac (dimethylamine salt), 18.92% — 1.50 lb quinclorac/gal
- MoA group
- WSSA Group 4 (synthetic auxin / growth regulator)
- EPA reg
- 7969-272
- Net contents
- 0.5 gallon
- Signal
- caution
01Usage
What it's for and where it goes.
- Targets: Crabgrass (its signature use — one of the few products that kills mature crabgrass), plus foxtail, clover, dandelion, bindweed, and other listed broadleaf/grassy weeds.
- Where: Established lawns, sports turf, sod farms, and some ornamental/landscape sites. Also has agricultural uses.
- Mix partner: Requires a methylated seed oil (MSO) or crop-oil surfactant for good uptake — you have MSO on the same shelf, which pairs directly with this.
- Timing: Post-emergent; works on crabgrass from seedling through mature (multi-tiller) stage, which is unusual and valuable.
02Efficacy
How well it actually works.
- Excellent on crabgrass at almost any growth stage — this is its standout trait.
- Moderate on many broadleaf weeds; often tank-mixed with a 2,4-D-type product for broader spectrum.
- Rainfast relatively quickly once dry. Needs the oil adjuvant to perform.
03Best at killing
What it's genuinely strongest on in real use.
- Crabgrass, at any stage — this is quinclorac's signature and near-unique trait: it kills crabgrass from seedling right through the mature multi-tiller "gorilla" stage, which most post-emergents cannot. University turf programs and the BASF label both lead with crabgrass; it also takes foxtail, some clover, and dandelion (MSU Extension, controlling crabgrass after it emerges).
- It needs a methylated seed oil to perform, and it is only moderate on broadleaves — often tank-mixed with a three-way for spectrum.
04Dangers
What it can hurt — read this before you reach for it.
- Signal word CAUTION (lowest EPA acute tier), but still a real herbicide.
- Off-target sensitivity: Quinclorac can injure or kill many desirable plants — tomatoes and other solanaceous plants are notably sensitive, and grape/vine species too. Do not spray near gardens or use contaminated equipment on sensitive ornamentals.
- Compost/manure carryover: Quinclorac is persistent; clippings from treated turf should not go into compost used on vegetable gardens. This is a well-documented problem.
- Keep out of reach of children; avoid skin/eye contact and inhalation of spray mist.
- Emergency (life/property): 1-800-832-HELP (4357).
05🐾 Dogs & re-entry
Pet safety — toxicity and how long until a dog can be back on it.
🐾 Pet safety — read before you let the dog out
- Toxicity: low. The SDS rates quinclorac slightly toxic by ingestion and relatively non-toxic by skin/inhalation; once dry, exposure risk is low.
- When safe again — sourced: the Drive XLR8 label carries a 12-hour Restricted-Entry Interval and states "DO NOT enter or allow others to enter the treated area until sprays have dried" (EPA Drive XLR8 label). Practical default: keep dogs off until fully dry; when unsure, wait out the 12h REI.
- Note quinclorac is soil-persistent — treated clippings can carry over and injure a vegetable garden if composted (a garden hazard, not a direct dog one).
General guidance. Confirm the label's re-entry interval and ask your vet; when unsure keep dogs off until fully dry.
06Storage
How to keep it, and keep it separate.
- Store in original container, tightly closed, in a cool dry place away from food, feed, seed, and children.
- Nonrefillable container.
- Batch code reads ~2019 fill — liquid herbicides like this are generally usable for years if stored sealed and unfrozen, but shake and inspect before use; if separated or off, verify performance on a small area first.
landscape.gf.cx · chemicals · drive-xlr8 · filed 2026-07-23 · read off the label — verify every rate against the booklet