When Should Fuel Additives Be Added?
3 Answers
Fuel additives should be added before refueling. Long-term use of fuel additives can be harmful to the engine, and excessive use may increase carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, potentially leading to engine knocking, detonation, and worsened vehicle emissions. The functions of fuel additives include: 1. Removing carbon deposits from the vehicle; 2. Reducing abnormal engine wear; 3. Improving atomization efficiency; 4. Lowering vehicle emissions; 5. Extending the service life of the car engine; 6. Cleaning the fuel system. Fuel additives are primarily composed of nano-molecules, cleaning activation factors, antioxidants, anti-corrosion agents, and demulsifiers. They are specifically designed to target harmful components such as sulfur, gum substances in fuel, and engine carbon deposits, aiming to enhance power, promote combustion, provide anti-oxidation, anti-wear, cleaning, dispersion, demulsification, anti-corrosion, and lubrication effects.
I've been driving for over ten years and have always made it a habit to add fuel additives when the tank is empty or half-full before refueling, especially after each maintenance or before long trips, as the additives can mix better with the fuel to clean the fuel injectors and engine carbon deposits. I usually buy a small bottle at the gas station, pour it in, and immediately fill up with gasoline to avoid uneven dilution and reduced effectiveness. I also add it regularly, such as every 5,000 kilometers or quarterly, which helps the engine run smoother and reduces fuel consumption. Just remember not to add it too frequently—follow the dosage instructions on the manual.
As a mechanic who frequently works with cars, I recommend that the best time to add fuel additive is during refueling, such as when the fuel tank is about a quarter full. Adding the additive at this point and then filling up with fresh fuel to mix it thoroughly yields the best results. This effectively removes deposits, prevents fuel injector clogging, and improves combustion efficiency. If your car is an older model or often driven in city traffic jams, adding fuel additive every 3,000 to 4,000 kilometers is particularly beneficial to avoid carbon buildup, which can lead to reduced power or emission issues.
