Better Gas Mileage: Additives And Other Methods
As gas prices swell, individuals are switching to products which claim to improve mpg, like numerous gas additives. Before dumping still more cash into a bottle of fuel additive, see whether the product is actually essential, or even handy for obtaining better gas mileage.
People use additive in there gas tanks because they think it will give them better gas mileage, or make their engine last longer. Some additives will extend the life of your engine and give you more gas for your money. These additives work well cleaning the gunk out of your parts, like fuel injectors and fuel lines. You should be cleaning the fuel injectors by having them taken apart and cleaned regularly anyway so if you do this you wont need any additives.
For a vast majority of passenger vehicles, using premium fuel with high octane ratings will not result or yield improvement in fuel efficiency. Small engines such boating engines, those classified as highly specialized engines and older engines with "pinging" problems could benefit from high octane fuels. Gasoline sold in highly developed or industrialized countries contain additives. Premium gasoline marketed in these countries has more additives than regular gasoline.
If regular vehicular maintenance has been an oversight for you, you might want to try using a fuel additive, which is designed to target the neglected components, such as clogged fuel injectors. Using a fuel additive can be a temporary solution for clearing water from the fuel tank or fuel line. This can be especially true for vehicles that have an unknown maintenance history.
Unnecessary fuel additives may harm the environment along with the pocketbook. Consciously, they are unnecessary because gasoline contains the additives necessary. Any additional additives will not necessarily help the vehicle obtain better gas mileage. The opinion of a trusted mechanic when deciding to use a fuel additive can clear up any confusion.
If you choose to use a fuel additive, be sure to carefully follow the directions on the bottle. Because the additive may sink or float in gasoline, many additives contain specific instructions concerning use in either an empty or a full gasoline tank. Improper use may impair the performance of the additive.
As gas prices rise, more people are turning to products which claim to inprove mpg, such as many fuel additives. Before dumping even more money into a bottle of fuel additive, consider if the product is really necessary, or even helpful for obtaining better gas mileage. People hope the additive will provide improved gas mileage, or extend the operational life of the engine. Some additives in some cases can indeed do one or both. However, proper maintenance of the vehicle, including periodically taking apart and cleaning the fuel injectors, renders unnecessary the addition of a cleaning agent to the fuel.
Published September 30th, 2008
Filed in Auto