Do new cars need fuel additives?
2 Answers
New cars do not need fuel additives. Although fuel additives have effects such as cleaning system carbon deposits, increasing octane number, improving atomization, reducing wear, and protecting the engine, for new cars, using regular fuel is more beneficial to help various parts, especially the engine, break in to the best condition. Therefore, the use of additives is not recommended. Fuel additives can be divided into gasoline additives and diesel additives based on their target usage. Both cleaning and maintenance types contain cleaning factors in their chemical compositions, which can effectively clean or inhibit the formation of engine carbon deposits. According to different chemical compositions, additives are divided into five generations in total.
As someone who loves car maintenance, I've driven several new cars and feel that adding fuel additives is generally unnecessary. With a brand-new engine in pristine condition, the fuel system hasn't accumulated carbon deposits that clog injectors yet, and manufacturers have already optimized it well at the factory. You can save that money, since additives often cost dozens of yuan per can and offer negligible performance improvements for new cars. However, if you're concerned about long-term fuel quality or preventing future issues, occasionally adding a bottle of reliable cleaner can be beneficial—it helps fuel burn more completely, reduces emissions, and keeps the car running smoothly. The key is not to overuse them; just follow the manual's maintenance schedule for new cars, as excessive use may prove ineffective.
