Does a Car Need Fuel Additives?
3 Answers
Does a Car Need Fuel Additives? Cars do need fuel additives. Adding fuel additives (cleaning type) can effectively remove carbon deposits, especially for turbocharged engines, which tend to accumulate significant carbon buildup over long-term use. In such cases, using this type of cleaning fuel additive becomes necessary. The mileage for using fuel additives and the precautions are as follows: Mileage for Using Fuel Additives: For new cars with less than 20,000 kilometers driven, adding fuel additives is unnecessary. For vehicles exceeding 20,000 kilometers, they should be added as needed, typically one small bottle per tank of fuel. Long-term use of fuel additives can be harmful to the engine. Excessive use may increase carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, and prolonged overuse may even lead to engine knocking, detonation, and worsened vehicle emissions. Precautions for Using Fuel Additives: New cars are not recommended for fuel additive use, as they have not been driven much and generally operate under good conditions, with no severe carbon buildup, making additives unnecessary. Frequent use of fuel additives is not advisable, as it may lead to sludge and gum formation, increasing combustion chamber carbon deposits. Usage should be based on the specific condition of the car. For severe carbon buildup, manual cleaning is still required—fuel additives are not a miracle solution. If a car has severe carbon deposits, manual treatment is necessary, as fuel additives cannot completely remove them. For older cars, the oil filter should be cleaned or replaced before adding fuel additives. Use fuel additives cautiously and add them reasonably according to the car's condition.
I understand why you're concerned about fuel system cleaners. In fact, for most regular family cars, the cleaning properties of modern refined gasoline are sufficient. The automatic dispensers at gas stations already include basic cleaning additives in the fuel. If your vehicle is new, manufacturers typically don't recommend additional additives. However, if your car has over 50,000 kilometers or is relatively old, especially if you notice sluggish acceleration or increased fuel consumption, trying a genuine fuel system cleaner containing polyetheramine can help remove carbon deposits from critical components. Remember, choosing internationally recognized brands like Red X or Snow X Dragon with professional certifications is more reliable. Continuous use through 5 tankfuls will show noticeable results. Don't believe claims about miraculous effects from small packaging products.
From the hundreds of car cases I've encountered, whether to add fuel system cleaner depends on the actual vehicle condition. Many long-time car owners mistakenly consider it a mandatory maintenance item due to marketing misconceptions. When experiencing noticeable engine vibration upon cold start, burnt odor from exhaust, or occasional check engine light flashes after highway driving - these indicate potentially severe carbon buildup in the combustion system, making quality fuel system cleaner meaningful. However, never pin all hopes on additives - engine condition fundamentally depends on proper routine maintenance and driving habits. For vehicles frequently used for short trips or running on substandard fuel, fuel system cleaners will show limited effectiveness regardless of dosage.
