Except for when we’re worried about getting from A to B, it’s not often we think about our fuel’s potential, let alone how we can maximise that fuel.
Until now.
Vehicle fuel additives allow you to improve your fuel’s performance, lower emissions, and improve its longevity. They are essential in maintaining the health and lifespan of old cars, diesel engines or vehicles driving in harsh, cold winters.
In this article, we’ll look closely at everything to do with your vehicle fuel additives, from learning how they work to how to use them. We’ll also discuss some common best practices to get the most out of your fuel.
What is vehicle fuel additive?
Vehicle fuel additives improve your engine's performance and efficiency while reducing harmful emissions. The additives are chemicals added to a vehicle's fuel tank to work on issues relating to the movement of gasoline or diesel fuel and the engine it flows through to improve their properties and prevent engine problems.
How do fuel additives work?
There are many types of fuel additives, each with different purposes and addressing specific issues, such as reducing engine wear, improving fuel efficiency, or reducing emissions. It is vital to use the correct type of additive for your particular vehicle and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Using the wrong type of additive can lead to negative consequences, such as reduced performance or even damage to your engine or other parts of your vehicle. Some common types of additives include:
- Fuel system cleaners or detergents: These additives help to remove deposits and buildup from the fuel system, including the fuel injectors, carburettors, and intake valves. Detergents break down and disperse these deposits, making them easier to remove during regular engine operation.
- Octane boosters: These additives increase the octane rating of gasoline, improving engine performance and reducing engine knocking, which is a tapping or pinging sound that gets louder as you accelerate and is caused when your fuel burns unevenly in your engine cylinders​​. Octane boosters work by increasing the number of hydrocarbons in the fuel, which raises the fuel's resistance to combustion and allows it to burn more efficiently.
- Anti-gelling agents: These additives prevent diesel fuel from thickening in cold temperatures by bringing down the freezing point of the fuel and preventing gelling or crystallising of the fuel. Gelling can clog fuel filters and reduce engine performance.
- Diesel cetane boosters: These additives increase diesel fuel's cetane rating, improving engine performance and reducing emissions. A higher cetane level causes quicker ignition and a shorter delay between the fuel injection and injection.
- Fuel stabilisers: Some vehicle fuel additives help keep fuel fresh and prevent it from destabilising and deteriorating over time, leading to engine problems. A fuel stabiliser works by preventing the separation of fuel and water in your engine and ensuring the fuel components are adequately mixed. If left unattended, fuel separation can cause starting difficulties and engine corrosion.
Fuel additives generally do not damage your engine when used correctly and per the manufacturer's instructions. In fact, many fuel additives are specifically designed to help protect your engine and improve its performance.
However, using the wrong type of additive or overuse can also cause harm to your engine or other parts of your vehicle. Additives can have different purposes and can address specific issues, so it's essential to use the correct type of additive for your particular vehicle and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
For example, most diesel injector cleaners use potent chemicals that allow them to loosen and dissolve the resilient carbon deposits in the engine. Used in excess and in petrol engines, these powerful additives are likely to damage the engine.
In addition, some older vehicles or vehicles with specific engine types aren't compatible with certain fuel additives. It's always a good idea to check with a trusted mechanic before using any fuel additive to ensure that it won't cause any harm to your engine.
The short answer is that it depends on the specific fuel additive and your vehicle’s make and model.
Generally, most experts recommend using fuel additives every time you fill up your gas tank. However, some fuel additives are designed for specific purposes, such as cleaning the fuel system or boosting octane levels. You may not need to use it as frequently as other additives.
To ensure the best results and avoid any potential harm, read the label and follow the specific instructions for your fuel additive, including usage frequency and the particular amount.
Chat with your local JAX mechanic for expert advice on using fuel additives in your specific vehicle.
The short answer is that it depends.
Car manufacturers generally don’t recommend using fuel additives, as they design their engines to operate optimally with regular, high-quality gasoline.
That said, some manufacturers may recommend occasionally using certain fuel additives, such as those designed to clean the fuel system or improve fuel economy, under specific circumstances.
Suppose you are considering using a fuel additive for your vehicle. In that case, we recommend consulting the owner’s manual, contacting the manufacturers, or reaching out to your local JAX mechanic for their specific recommendations or warnings regarding the use of fuel additives with your particular vehicle.
- Fuel injector cleaner
- Fuel system cleaner
- Octane boosters
- Diesel fuel additives
- Lubricity improvers
​However, we don't recommend adding some fuel additives to a full tank of fuel, as they may not mix properly or be ineffective if added in this way. These types of additives include:
- Water remover: Some water-removing additives need to be able to mix with any water that has settled at the bottom of the tank. Adding a water remover to a full tank may not remove all water from the fuel.
- Fuel stabiliser: If added to a full fuel tank, the stabiliser may not mix evenly and could settle to the bottom of the tank, resulting in uneven fuel stability.
- Octane boosters: Some octane boosters might not mix well with a full tank of fuel, which could result in uneven distribution and reduced effectiveness.
In general, fuel additives don't damage the fuel filter in your vehicle. Most fuel filters are designed to withstand exposure to fuel additives and other chemicals that may be present in the fuel.
However, there are some instances where using certain fuel additives could cause issues with your fuel filter. These include:
- Solvents: While these products can effectively clean the system, they may also dissolve deposits that can clog the fuel filter if not thoroughly flushed out.
- Alcohol-based additives: Some fuel additives contain alcohol, which can be corrosive to specific fuel system components, including fuel filters. Ensure that your fuel additive is compatible with your vehicle's fuel system is vital.
- Unapproved additives: Using fuel additives that aren’t recommended for use with your specific type of vehicle or fuel could cause damage to the fuel filter or other fuel system components.
Modern cars generally do not require fuel additives to run correctly. Manufacturers have designed modern engines to run on the fuel available at the pump and have equipped them with advanced fuel management systems that help optimise engine performance and fuel efficiency.
However, there are some cases where using a fuel additive can benefit modern cars, and some manufacturers may recommend occasionally using certain fuel additives. For example, suppose you are experiencing engine performance or fuel economy issues. A fuel injector cleaner or fuel system cleaner may help improve these issues by removing deposits and buildup in the fuel system.
Additionally, if you live in an area with harsh weather conditions, using a fuel additive may help protect your engine and fuel system from damage caused by contaminants or moisture in the fuel.
We’ve matched your registration number Sorry, we couldn’t find a match for registration number !