Are fuel additives good for your car?

Fuel additives are already present in the fuel itself but some companies are making it and selling in the market. These are the chemical compound which should be mixed with the fuel in some proportions to enhance its property. This article is all about the Fuel additives and after this you will be able to answer are fuel additives good for your car and take an informed decision.

What Are The Fuel Additives ?

Its a chemical that is prepared to mix with the fuel that we put in our Cars. It goes with the fuel and travels in the parts of the engine wherever the fuel (Petrol/Diesel) travels. The parts are those involved in the system of internal combustion. It basically has a property to

Clear the fuel lines involved.
Cleans the fuel injectors.
Cleans the combustion Chamber, intake valve and exhaust line also.

What Are The Benefits Of Fuel Additives?

The Fuel Additives are used to clean the impurities present in the fuel and Stabilizes it. After norms strengthening day by day to use Ethanol blending with the fuel the additives are in the discussion now. So basically the additives are used to make strong binding of the Ethanol with the Petrol Fuel. In simple words it is used to stabilize the fuel.

Diesel fuel is coming with ultra low Sulphur these days due to which lubricity has become lower. So to maintain the lubricity in Diesel the fuel additives are used. Also it creates layer on the fuel which protects the internal parts of the engine from wear and tear. The benefits of the fuel additives are

It stabilizes fuel.
It helps in increase performance.
It helps during the mileage drop.
It assists in power leg.
It helps in the problem of Carbon deposits in various parts.
It also gives cleaner fuel.
It can also help if pickup drops.

Are Fuel Additives Bad For Your Car ?

The fuel additives contain Cleaning agents, Detergents and PEA(PolyEtheramine) which help in cleaning the injector line of the engine.
But these chemicals are costlier to use. So to maximize profit some companies use Cheap solvents to make these additives for example Kerosene. Kerosene is a good solvent and a very good cleaning agent too, but it has some disadvantages. Like it reacts with the Rubber materials and generally ruin the Rubber Parts.

Similarly Acetone is highly effective chemical and a good solvent but it can react with metals and corrode it and also reacts with Rubber parts. Damage seen in long term. They can ruin the rubber ring around the Injector. They can also damage the Ceramic Balls in Injectors and can disrupt the injector pattern. In simple term Injector can get damaged or High Pressure Pump get damaged due to which pressure gets reduced rather than becoming high.

Sometimes DRV valve gets damaged and hunting and knocking increases. The fuel pump installed in the fuel tank that also gets affected negatively. Because cheap solvents have been used to make these additives. And sometimes we do not have proper guidance when to use these additives.

Moreover it can not be easily differentiated why these problems are happening in your car. whether due to the bad fuel or due to additives. Reckless use of these additives can cause serious damage to the internal parts of the Engine.

When To Use Fuel Additives?

Fuel additives can be used as a precautionary measure that means before any problem started to occur. Like we think cleaner fuel in not available in our area. And we want to take good care of the engine before hand. So fuel additives can be used.

Secondary there are signals or indications like Rough Idling, Knocking Sound from the engine, Mileage got drooped, pickup got reduced and car started producing smoke then fuel additives can help. Also if it feels like injector are chocked and there are carbon deposits.

Also Read: Overall Car Maintenance guide

How to Use Fuel Additives?

Fuel Additives are different for different fuel like Diesel and Petrol. It Can be used only by mixing it with the fuel. After filling the petrol or diesel we have put it directly into the fuel tank.
A detergent based fuel additive which contains PEA, PolyEtheramine (a cleaning agent mixed in additives) should be used. It should be used in a low concentration form in the Fuel Additives.

Always use a branded fuel additive. Never mix different additives together it will harm the engine. Be regular in checking the performance and output of the vehicle.

Can you use too much fuel additive?

Its not a compulsion to use these additives. Actually the fuel itself comes with these additives. The after market fuel additives works as a catalyst which increases its working. So using too much of it is not a good habit. Use it after a gap of around 3000km or more running and only after the indication from your car comes. Its not a complete solution of the problems like Rough Idling or Carbon Deposits but it can help in reducing them. So we have to work manually for these problems. Fuel Additives can only benefits in taking precautionary measure. So too much use of it will not be a smart use of Money.