Do I Need to Add Additives When Refueling a New Car?
4 Answers
It is not necessary to add additives when refueling a new car. Although fuel additives do have certain benefits, the engine of a new car is in good working condition and has a short service life, so there is basically no carbon buildup. Additionally, the fuel at gas stations already contains a certain amount of fuel additives as required by regulations. Precautions for using fuel additives: 1. After using fuel additives, the car may exhibit some abnormal conditions, which are normal and owners can use them with confidence. 2. After using three tanks of fuel, comprehensive maintenance and debugging of the engine can be performed based on its operating condition, and additives can be used as needed. 3. Vehicles requiring major engine repairs or secondary maintenance should use fuel additives only after servicing and maintenance. 4. If low-quality or low-octane gasoline is used, fuel additives should be applied immediately. 5. Fuel additives must not be ingested and should be kept away from children.
As someone who has been driving for over a decade, I believe new cars don't need fuel additives at all. When a new car leaves the factory, both the engine and fuel system are in optimal condition. Manufacturers have already optimized all components, including fuel management, during design and testing. Unless the owner's manual specifically recommends additives under certain circumstances, adding any fuel cleaners or octane boosters is just wasting money on unnecessary products. These additives might claim to remove carbon deposits or boost horsepower, but new engines have minimal carbon buildup during the break-in period. Adding them could even cause abnormal chemical reactions or clog fuel injectors. I've seen friends add random additives to brand-new cars, only to experience increased fuel consumption and additional problems that cost more to fix. Remember, the first 10,000-20,000 kilometers are the break-in period for a new car - maintaining factory condition is best. Additives aren't essential; driving habits and regular maintenance are what truly matter.
I'm a car modification enthusiast, so whenever I get a new car, I want to add some additives to make it run more powerfully. New car engines are precise, but using the right additives can indeed enhance performance. For example, octane boosters can make high-compression ratio engines more responsive. However, I emphasize the importance of choosing the right type—cleaning agents like fuel system cleaners can remove injector impurities, but their effect is minimal on new cars without carbon buildup. Random additions might damage oxygen sensors or catalytic converters. My experience is that if the manual doesn't prohibit it, you can occasionally try a small bottle of high-quality product, such as from a reputable brand, avoiding cheap knockoffs that might cause explosions or emission issues. But honestly, during the initial phase of a new car, additives don't make much difference. It's more cost-effective to save your money and use them after tens of thousands of miles, when maintenance effects are more noticeable.
I believe there's no need to add fuel additives for new cars—it's just an unnecessary expense and a waste of money. New car engines are designed to be mature and run smoothly, so there's no need to spend extra money on those bottled products. Unless you live in a heavily polluted city or frequently use low-quality fuel, you might consider adding a cleaner for protection. My new car has been running for three years without any additives, just regular maintenance and good-quality fuel, and it's been in excellent condition. Fuel additives are purely marketing gimmicks—you won't notice any difference after using them. Saving money is what really matters.
