Aditivos help improve a vehicle’s performance and keep it in good condition. They protect the engine, gearbox, and other components of the vehicle. But did you know that there are also additives in fuels that can do a lot for your car?
According to Total, all the fuels sold in Europe meet strict specifications and undergo quality controls. These fuels can be used in vehicles without any treatment. However, manufacturers develop fuel additives to improve the minimum levels of quality required in the European Union. These additives offer users an improvement in fuel performance.
What are fuel additives?
Fuel additives are chemical products added to fuel to enhance the performance of the engine and its parts. They are directly related to improving combustion, cleaning and lubricating injectors, and inhibiting corrosion inside the engine. Their use provides benefits such as more efficient acceleration and prevents common problems caused by low-quality or poorly additive fuels.
Fuel additives also help reduce fuel consumption. This translates to greater vehicle autonomy and better cost-effectiveness. There is a clear economic benefit to using fuel additives.
The magical formula that improves fuel
Fuel additives play an important role in the development of commercialized fuels. The development of additives is not limited in terms of the benefits they can provide. This allows for the improvement of formulations and the use of more advanced chemical compounds in fuels.
Thanks to this, there is now a wide and advanced range of fuel additives available. Before they are commercialized, these additives are tested in real-world applications by laboratories and research centers. This ensures that the results obtained are realistic.
What types of fuel additives are there?
Fuel additives come in various forms. One significant type of additive is the one that improves the cetane index. The higher this index, the less time it takes for the fuel to ignite in the chamber, resulting in higher combustion quality. On the other hand, fuels with a low cetane number require more time to ignite and can lead to inadequate combustion, increased emissions, reduced performance, and engine damage.
Apart from cetane improvers, there are other additives that benefit the functioning of your vehicle. For example, some additives work in conjunction with injectors or the fuel tank to extend their lifespan. These additives are related to the protection and cleaning of injectors, ensuring better performance of the injection system and the fuel pump.
This effect is particularly important in high-pressure common-rail injection systems, where the proper functioning of injectors is crucial for optimal fuel combustion. Low-quality fuels can lead to deposits in the injectors, obstructing fuel dispersion and causing power loss, increased fuel consumption, and higher emissions.
Control of the fuel system
Other additives, such as demulsifying agents, are allies found in quality fuels. They prevent the formation of bacteria due to the presence of water in the tank. Corrosion inhibitors protect the metal parts of the fuel system, including injectors, from oxidation and corrosion. Lastly, stabilizing additives help keep the fuel fresh and prevent thermal decomposition.
All these additives share a common goal: enhancing different functions of diesel to improve engine performance, cleanliness, and efficiency.
The magic trident of savings
In addition to injector cleaning and cetane improvement properties, fuel additives also modify friction. The combination of these three properties forms the magic trident of fuel savings.
Total conducted extensive field tests over 12 months, covering more than one and a half million kilometers, with an urban public transport company to evaluate the effect of friction modifiers in additives. The results showed a 2.4% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the fleet’s regular consumption. Similar results were observed in other fields tests, such as in Morocco (4% savings) and Canada (5% savings).
There is no doubt that using fuel additives can have many benefits depending on the vehicle’s usage and specific needs. Just like using quality motor oil, using quality fuels is important to protect your vehicle’s engine.
Conclusion
Using fuel additives can be a worthwhile investment for those looking to improve their vehicle’s performance and extend its lifespan. These additives enhance combustion, clean and protect the fuel system, and reduce fuel consumption. When used in conjunction with quality fuels, the benefits are even greater. Consider incorporating fuel additives into your car maintenance routine to optimize your driving experience.