Can Adding Gasoline Additives Cause the Malfunction Indicator Light to Illuminate?
2 Answers
Adding gasoline additives can cause the malfunction indicator light to illuminate, and it is recommended to add them under the guidance of a 4S dealership. Gasoline additives, also known as fuel additives, include diesel additives as well. They are designed to compensate for the quality issues inherent in fuels and the limitations in automotive mechanical manufacturing. This helps gasoline engines overcome cold-start effects and crevice effects, while also removing carbon deposits from intake valves and fuel injectors. The functions of gasoline additives include: 1. Removing carbon deposits and cleaning the fuel system; 2. Enhancing engine performance; 3. Improving atomization and saving fuel; 4. Providing anti-corrosion, anti-rust, and lubrication to protect the engine; 5. Reducing noise, minimizing wear, and extending engine life; 6. Eliminating black smoke and reducing emissions.
As a regular car owner who just learned to drive a few years ago, I bought a bottle of fuel additive when it was being promoted at the gas station, only to have the check engine light come on within two days, which really worried me. At the repair shop, the technician explained that when additives clean carbon deposits, they can cause the oxygen sensor to misread exhaust data, making the computer system think there's an engine issue and trigger the warning light. This isn't necessarily a bad thing—it means the additive is working—but using low-quality brands or adding too much can cause more troublesome interference. The technician suggested starting with a small amount of additive for testing. If the light comes on, don't panic; try driving on the highway for a few days to let the engine adjust, and usually, the light will turn off by itself. If it stays on, then use professional tools to check the specific error code to rule out more serious problems—safety first, after all.
