Is It Necessary to Add Gasoline Additives to Cars?
4 Answers
It depends on the condition of the car. New cars do not need it. Here are specific details about gasoline additives: 1. Definition: Gasoline additives are liquids that help gasoline burn more completely in cars, usually added directly to the fuel tank along with gasoline. 2. Reasons for use: During the process of fuel being supplied through the fuel system to the combustion chamber, it inevitably forms gums and carbon deposits, which accumulate in the fuel lines, fuel filters, injectors, and combustion chamber. These deposits interfere with fuel flow, disrupt the proper air-fuel ratio, impair fuel atomization, and cause engine performance issues such as shuddering, knocking, unstable idling, and poor acceleration. Using gasoline additives to clean the fuel system and regularly applying them to control carbon deposit formation can help maintain the engine in optimal condition.
As a friend who has been driving for over 30 years, I believe gasoline additives are necessary in certain situations. I often add a bit to my older cars—it helps clean carbon deposits from the fuel injectors and makes the engine run smoother, especially in stop-and-go city driving. For new cars, it might not make much difference, but if you're using lower-quality fuel or frequently take short trips, adding it periodically can prevent engine issues. Last year during a repair, I noticed that after using an additive, fuel consumption slightly decreased and vibrations lessened. However, don’t expect miracles—the key is choosing reputable brands. Low-quality products can actually harm your car, so I only buy from authorized shops. Overall, you don’t need to add it every fill-up, but using it every 5,000 km helps maintain engine health. If your car runs fine without it, that’s okay—don’t over-rely on additives.
As an average working-class car owner who mainly uses the vehicle for daily commutes, I find gasoline additives somewhat redundant. The advertisements hype them up, claiming they save fuel and boost performance, but in reality, adding them doesn’t seem to make any noticeable difference. Most modern gasoline already contains cleaning agents, and overusing additives just wastes money. I tried them once, and my fuel consumption remained unchanged. Unless you drive an older car or experience a significant drop in performance, there’s no need to follow the trend. Don’t fall for gas station promotions either—buying these products might just be a placebo. Properly maintaining your fuel system and regularly checking the air filter are far more effective than using additives. Saving money on fuel for other expenses is a smarter choice.
From the perspective of understanding cars, gasoline additives are not essential. Modern car engines are precisely designed, and factory gasoline already contains additives, making additional additives generally ineffective. However, if your car has carbon buildup issues, such as unstable idling or sluggish acceleration, choosing a reputable brand of additives can help clean the combustion chamber. The key is not to use them indiscriminately—there are many low-quality products on the market with unknown ingredients that can corrode parts. It is recommended to use them only when problems arise or for maintenance every six months, rather than as a daily habit. Combining this with engine diagnostics is more reliable.
