How often should fuel additives be added?
2 Answers
Fuel additives should be added every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers. Fuel additives are functional substances added to fuel to compensate for certain deficiencies and impart new beneficial properties. They can enhance engine performance, remove carbon deposits, clean the fuel system, save fuel, and prevent rust, among other benefits. Fuel additives are categorized into cleaning, maintenance, and fuel-saving types. Using genuine fuel additives can provide certain benefits for your vehicle. Fuel additives can improve octane and cetane values, enhancing power output, promoting combustion efficiency, offering oxidation and wear resistance, as well as cleaning, dispersing, demulsifying, anti-corrosion, and lubrication effects.
Regarding how often to add fuel additives, based on my personal driving experience, it entirely depends on the type of additive you use and your driving habits. If you're using a cleaning-type additive aimed at removing engine carbon deposits—like me, who often drives in city traffic where the engine tends to accumulate carbon—I recommend adding it every 5,000 kilometers. If you frequently drive on highways where the engine burns more efficiently, adding it every 10,000 kilometers might suffice. It's best to add the additive when the fuel tank is half full, following the dosage instructions on the product to avoid wasting money by adding it too frequently or causing adverse effects like damaging the fuel injectors. When refueling, I also pay attention to the vehicle's condition. If there's noticeable shaking or sluggish acceleration, I consider adjusting the additive interval. The key is to be flexible based on actual needs rather than blindly following trends.
