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Best Fuel Additives & How They Work
If you want to ensure your vehicle is performing efficiently, learn about fuel additives in your and your car’s best interest. You can take many preventative measures to extend your vehicle's lifespan.
Fuel additives are just one way to keep your engine running smoothly, and automotive experts argue that using them can save you money in the long run and assist with fuel economy.
What Are Fuel Additives?
Fuel additives are various chemical compounds that can enhance your engine’s performance. These additives typically fall into two overall categories – fuel stabilizers and fuel performance enhancers.
Fuel stabilizers are used when they’re not being used. Their key role is to maintain the integrity of the fuel when it’s being stored for an extended period. Fuel performance enhancers are more commonly used and are intended to maintain optimal vehicle performance and give engines the boost they sometimes need.
What Are the Main Types of Fuel Additives?
Fuel additives are typically designed with a specific purpose in mind. It’s essential to understand the various types of fuel additives and the job they are meant to do.
Cadence Petroleum identifies multiple different types of fuel additives, and each type has a unique function.
Fuel Injection Cleaners
Some vehicles with engines that are deemed high-end may experience more carbon buildup around the fuel injection area. Fuel injectors enable efficient combustion of fuel. As the name implies, fuel is injected into the engine using a fuel injector.
Fuel injection cleaners are also helpful when the vehicle only makes shorter trips. Recurring longer trips allow the engine to get hot enough for the engine to clean itself.
Fuel injection cleaners critically clean away carbon buildup on the fuel injectors. This type of build-up can affect your vehicle’s gas mileage, so you could save money in the long run by utilizing fuel injection cleaners if your car meets any of the above criteria. Not sure if it’s necessary?
Look for signs that the fuel injectors may be clogged, and when in doubt, consult a professional. Preventative maintenance is always the cheaper option than more costly repairs down the road for vehicles.
Fuel System Cleaners
Maintaining a clean fuel system is key, and an effective fuel system cleaner can perform this job.
Fuel system cleaners certainly aren’t necessary for all vehicles, but they can be helpful for older vehicles and are a great preventative measure to keep the engine running smoothly.
Newer cars may not need this additive as urgently as older cars, but keep in mind that if lower-quality gasoline is used, a fuel system cleaner can be helpful for minimizing the buildup of carbon and other deposits.
Cooling System Additives
If you want to improve the coolant’s ability to transfer heat more efficiently, cooling system additives are designed to do just that. Aside from this vital function, coolant system additives perform several other functions.
This includes anti-foaming agents that are included in some cooling system additives. Also, cooling system additives help inhibit corrosion and provide water pump lubrication.
What Are the Best Fuel Additives?
Fuel additives can aid in reducing overall fuel consumption and, indirectly, increase the mileage you get out of your vehicle.
Deciding which fuel additives are best depends on the need, the type of vehicle, and how it’s driven. When in doubt, contact an automotive professional who can discuss your needs and recommend the best fuel additives for your specific situation.
That said, here are some popular choices.
Red Line Complete SI-1 Fuel System Cleaner
Red Line's SI-1 Fuel System Cleaner is a concentrated formula designed to clean and lubricate the entire fuel system, including carburetors, injectors, and valves. It helps improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and restore engine performance. This additive is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines.
Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner
This is considered one of the best fuel additives from the brand. It’s designed to clean and protect the entire fuel system, including fuel injectors, carburetors, intake valves, and combustion chambers. This additive helps restore lost engine power, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce harmful emissions.
This additive is known for its advanced cleaning technology that removes deposits and prevents new ones from forming, ensuring optimal engine performance and longevity. It’s compatible with gasoline engines.
Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment
Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment is known for its ability to increase fuel mileage, reduce exhaust emissions, and improve engine performance. It also helps clean and lubricate the fuel system components, including injectors and pumps. This additive is suitable for gasoline and diesel engines.
How To Effectively Use Fuel Additives
Now that we’ve discussed an overview of fuel additives, it’s important to note that one size does not fit all when it comes to these vital chemical compounds.
Using the wrong fuel additive could be more harmful than not using any if you don’t research. Using the wrong one or too much of the right one can cause problems for your engine and your wallet.
Once you determine the correct fuel additive for your needs, read the label carefully and check out your owner’s manual before starting with fuel additives. Also, for the mix to be ideal, as a general rule, pour the additive into your tank before filling it with gasoline.
The Bottom Line
Fuel additives can help extend the life of your engine and vehicle. There are many different types of fuel additives, and it’s essential to acknowledge the reasons behind using a specific additive and map this to your desired outcome.
Considering the age of your vehicle, the type of gas used, and how you drive the car are all worthy considerations. If you’re unsure if your truck or rig could benefit from fuel additives, it’s best to consult with the technicians who assess this daily. Contact Cadence Petroleum today – the experts in vehicle preventative maintenance and more.
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