Are Gasoline Additives Useful?
3 Answers
Fuel additives are useful and can be categorized into cleaning type, maintenance type, and power-boosting type. Both cleaning and maintenance types contain cleaning agents in their chemical composition, which can effectively clean or inhibit carbon deposits in the engine, addressing issues such as insufficient power and fault codes caused by fuel quality. The specific functions of fuel additives include: removing carbon deposits and cleaning the fuel system; enhancing power; improving fuel efficiency; preventing corrosion, rust, lubrication, and reducing noise; cleaning carbon deposits and gum in the engine intake and fuel injectors; and using corrosion inhibitors, anti-knock agents, and combustion enhancers to prevent corrosion, reduce knocking, and improve combustion effects. In the era of multi-point fuel injection, the main component of fuel additives was mostly PIBA (polyisobutylene amine), a polymer with a polyether main chain and an amine end group, which could remove some gum-like substances. However, in the direct injection era, due to the high-temperature and high-pressure environment (combustion chamber) in direct injection engines, volatility is poor, leading to rapid deposit formation. Therefore, adding traditional fuel additives to direct injection engines not only fails to clean combustion chamber carbon deposits but also significantly increases carbon buildup. Nowadays, most fuel additives contain PEA (polyether amine), which can continue to clean under high temperatures, making it suitable for direct injection engines and more effective in removing carbon deposits. Additionally, most modern fuel additives include gasoline cleaning components, effectively cleaning gasoline, preventing oxidation, and improving energy efficiency. The Chinese government has long established standards for fuel additives, specifically GB19592-2004. Only products that meet this standard are considered legitimate fuel additives, so consumers should pay attention when purchasing.
As a seasoned driver with over ten years of experience, I believe gasoline additives are useful, especially for those like me who drive older cars or frequently take short trips in the city. Driving under such conditions often leads to carbon buildup, and additives help clean the fuel injectors and combustion chambers inside the engine, making the car start more smoothly and slightly reducing fuel consumption. I’ve used them a few times before and noticed quicker throttle response. However, don’t expect miracles—the effectiveness depends on the car’s condition and the brand of additive. If your car is well-maintained, you might not notice much difference. I recommend adding it every 5,000 kilometers or so, avoiding excessive use, and choosing certified brands like STP to avoid counterfeit products. In short, it can help prevent minor issues and extend engine life, but remember, regular maintenance is still the foundation.
From a cost-saving perspective, I believe fuel additives can be worthwhile in certain situations, such as when severe engine carbon buildup causes shaking or high fuel consumption. They work by dissolving impurities to clean the fuel system, improving efficiency and saving a bit on fuel. Over time, this can reduce some maintenance costs. However, for new cars or well-maintained vehicles, the return on this investment might not be significant, as a bottle of additive costs tens of yuan. It might be better to first check the spark plugs or air filter. If you decide to use them, choose reputable products—don’t just go for the cheapest option—and pair them with normal driving habits for better results. Overall, they can be useful but shouldn’t be overly relied upon; decide whether to use them based on your car’s condition.
