Are Fuel Additives Effective in Increasing Car Mileage

Woman in Gas Station

The most common factor that the current, average consumer considers when looking for a new car these days is gas mileage, or fuel economy. One of the biggest selling points for newer vehicles is the car’s fuel efficiency, and can be a deal breaker for many prospective buyers. However, it has been claimed that pretty much any driver can get better gas mileage if they purchase gas with fuel additives. Going for the 91-octane instead of the 87-octane may really have an effect on gas mileage. It is up to the consumer to decide for himself whether or not higher-octane gas or fuel additives really improve gas mileage for his own car; some auto enthusiasts claim that they disagree that fuel additives help gas mileage at all. Whatever your opinion is, it is worth reading up on and trying it out for yourself. The price difference between 91-octane and 87-octane is not outlandishly large, so why not give it a test? Here are some things to know about fuel additives and whether or not they help your car become more fuel-efficient.

It varies from car to car

What type of gas we put in our gas tank has not always been a topic of great debate; that is, until recently when fuel efficiency became a big industry. It used to be an accepted, common fact that higher-octane fuel is better for your car’s performance and fuel economy. While this has not been totally substantiated or refuted by experts, there are some scientific facts that could explain why car enthusiasts believe this to be true. In terms of power, your engine gets is power from the gas that you put into the tank; the gas becomes compressed and ignites, giving the car the torque it needs to “go.” By car enthusiasts, higher-octane gas with more additives is said to make your car perform better because it ignites at a higher temperature, allowing more time for the gas to compress, ultimately giving more efficient power to your engine. While these are basic, scientific facts, this is simply not applicable across the board for all vehicles—it is reliant upon the engineering and design of each individual car whether or not the car is able to translate that extra compression into more forceful torque. Now, one may ask, how does this translate into improving fuel efficiency?

It cleans out the fuel system

Another claimed advantage putting to fuel additives into gas is that it cleans out the fuel system, removing debris and crud that damages vital parts that can be expensive to replace, like fuel injectors. When debris and dust begins to circulate in your fuel system, it slowly takes a toll on your car, potentially creating serious issues down the line that will be in imminent need of repair.

It does improve the fuel efficiency

In this way, it may be beneficial to spend a little more on higher-octane fuel in order to avoid paying a whole lot down the road to replace or repair damage. The fuel you choose to put in your car may be helping you steer away from costly trips to the mechanic, and in turn, this improves your fuel efficiency because it keeps the critical parts of your car running smoothly. By keeping the vital parts of your car in good shape, your car runs more efficiently overall. In fact, some auto specialists may prescribe 91-octane gas for individual’s whose cars have issues with its fuel injectors.

Try it first

Gasoline BoardBefore you decide for yourself whether or not 91-octane gas is actually better for your fuel economy, you may want to try it yourself first. Keeping a record of your gas mileage can be helpful in many ways, especially if you want to detect any differences in your car’s performance—gas mileage can tell you a lot about how your car is running. Check your car’s specific manual to read up on what type of gasoline the manufacturer recommends you use. Sometimes fuel additives, if not used properly, can damage your car; researching specific companies’ policies on fuel additives is helpful, especially if you are concerned about that cheap gas station you’ve been going to for years—it’s true, different companies use different quality of fuel and that can be an important oversight for many people.



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