Do I Need to Add Cleaner When Switching to Ethanol Gasoline?
2 Answers
It can be added. Adding fuel cleaner can effectively prevent excessive carbon deposits, which may cause issues such as sluggish acceleration, insufficient power, and idle shaking. Here are the relevant details: 1. Ethanol Fuel: Also known as ethanol gasoline, it refers to a new generation of clean and environmentally friendly vehicle fuel made by blending a specific volume ratio of denatured fuel ethanol into dedicated gasoline component oil without MTBE oxygen-containing additives through a specific process. 2. Function: Ethanol is an excellent organic solvent with strong cleaning and dissolving effects, capable of removing impurities from the fuel tank, fuel lines, injectors, and other parts of the fuel system.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have encountered several situations where I had to switch to ethanol-blended gasoline. Adding a fuel system cleaner isn't always necessary when switching to ethanol fuel—it really depends on your vehicle's condition. If your car has been running on regular gasoline for a long time and is relatively old, there might be carbon deposits accumulated in the fuel tank, fuel lines, or injectors. Ethanol gasoline acts like a solvent that can dissolve these deposits, but dissolving too much at once might cause blockages, leading to issues like poor fuel injection or engine shuddering. In such cases, using a cleaner can help break down the carbon deposits and prevent problems. However, for newer vehicles or well-maintained cars with engines already designed to be ethanol-compatible, there's no need to waste money on additives. My own 2005 model car developed minor fuel system issues after the switch without using a cleaner, and the mechanic mentioned that preventive treatment might have helped. Generally speaking, it's more reliable to check your vehicle's condition or consult an expert rather than blindly following trends. If you're feeling uncertain, using a cleaner won't hurt—consider it as part of regular maintenance. The key is ensuring both driving safety and cost-effectiveness.
