List of gasoline additives
Gasoline additives increase gasoline's octane rating or act as corrosion inhibitors or lubricants, thus allowing the use of higher compression ratios for greater efficiency and power, however some carry heavy environmental risks. Types of additives include metal deactivators, corrosion inhibitors, oxygenates and antioxidants.
Additives
- Fuel additives in general
- Ether and other flammable hydrocarbons have been used extensively as starting fluid for many difficult-to-start engines, especially diesel engines
- Nitrous oxide, or simply nitrous, is an oxidizer used in auto racing
- Nitromethane, or "nitro," is a high-performance racing fuel
- Acetone is a vaporization additive, mainly used with methanol racing fuel to improve vaporisation at start up
- Butyl rubber (as polyisobutylene succinimide, detergent to prevent fouling of diesel fuel injectors)
- Picrate improves combustion, increases fuel mileage
- Silicone is an anti-foaming agent for diesel fuel, but may damage oxygen sensors in gasoline engines
- Tetranitromethane can increase the cetane number of diesel fuel, improving its combustion properties
Legislation
United States
The Clean Air Act was put into place in January 1995 in the United States as part of the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency. This act requires deposit control additives (DCAs) be added to all gasolines. This type of additive is a detergent additive that acts as a cleansing agent in small passages in the carburetor or fuel injectors. This in turn serves to ensure a consistent air and fuel mixture that will contribute to better gas mileage.
See also
References
- ARRC Auto Repair Reference Center. Point 5 Technologies. Accessed via EbscoHost on November 27, 2009