How Frequently Should Fuel Additives Be Used In Commerical Vehicles 

Fuel additives are fast becoming the go-to option for businesses who are looking to efficiently maintain their vehicles whilst maximising overall fuel efficiency. As the fuel additive market now exceeds 200,00 tonnes per year, and a total value tops £500 million, it’s no surprise that 95% of on-road retail fuel needs see additives as the driving force behind their businesses.

As we move further into the year 2021 there is still a lot of uncertainty around the effectiveness of these products. With the advantages that these additives bring to our vehicles being disguised by sceptics, many companies are left unsure if fuel additives are a worthwhile investment or they are another unnecessary expense.

In this article, we aim to discuss everything you need to know about fuel additives including how often they should be used and the key advantages they offer to commercial vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

Explaining The Chemistry Behind Fuel Additives

Fuel additives prevent the wear and tear that develops from running a vehicle. Most additives contain cetane booster, lubricants, and detergents which not only help to reverse the carbon build-up but also help the vehicle to perform to its full potential. Applying these additives to your vehicle will react with carbon deposits which can release the build-up and transfer harmful solid deposits that may damage internal engine components.

The powerful detergents found within fuel additives will also help to stabilise your fuel. By, utilising new detergent technology injector cleaners help to provide a complete internal engine clean, down to molecular levels. Existing carbon and unburnt fuel deposits are rapidly removed giving the engine a complete clean which leaves the drive feeling good as new.

Key Advantages To Using Fuel Additives In Vehicles

Additives have been carefully developed to help keep vehicles running to their maximum potential whilst providing budget-friendly fuel solutions with a premium feel. For those who are looking to run their vehicle day in and day out, additives should be an essential part pf your running costs.

Improving Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

Most fuel-burning engines are highly inefficient, especially those that are over 10 years old. Of all the fuel that is burnt, only around 12-30% is converted into power that moves the vehicle. This often leads to lots of energy being wasted at every step of the combustion process. Using a fuel injector can improve engine efficiency by 12 per cent because the fuel burns more efficiently. This will reduce the amount of waste generated and keep fuel costs down.

Removing Carbon Deposits

Every single time you start your car, fuel is being wasted, which is especially true with old vehicles. Often energy is lost due to heat and friction but there can also be the presence of incomplete combustion that can cause the build-up of carbon deposits within the engine. This build-up is known to dramatically impact the function of the vehicle and cause future problems. Fuel additives help to remove these build ups down to a molecular level. The frequent cleaning of your vehicle’s engine will help to improve the life expectancy of the vehicle and preventing breakdowns.

Improving Cold Engine Start

When we reach the colder months of the year our vehicles have to work harder to start-up in the morning. The oil and fuel within the engine will often thicken with this cold weather which creates friction that makes the initial engine start harder to achieve. By using fuel additives there is an increased lubricity which within the fuel allows your engine to receive the required power which helps to streamline the engine start.

Boosting Commerical Vehicle Performance

Often performance is a factor that is overlooked when considering the maintenance of commercial vehicles. With the nature of taxi and coach business being solely focused on fuel efficiency, performance is neglected and many take little notice to a vehicle that is ever decreasing in power. The use of fuel additives helps to turn cheap fuel into a much higher quality solution for the vehicle. This not only helps to give your car better engine performance but also helps maintain the engine and keep it running correctly.

The Frequency In Which Additives Should Be Use

Fuel additives are recommended to be used every 1,500 to 3,000 miles. With 22% of taxi drivers that are driving over 35,000 miles per year, fuel additives can be used a lot more frequently than you may expect. The frequency you maintain your vehicles with fuel additives are completely down to you, if the vehicle is within 5 years old it may be more cost-effective to slightly decrease frequency between application.

Fuel Additive Dose Rates

Most fuel additives doses vary depending on the product which is being used. It is always recommended that you check the bottle before applying it to your vehicle. With fuel additives for diesel, the first dose rate is 1:1,000 and the maintenance dose rate is usually 1:1,500.

Last Words

Diesel fuel additives are a fundamental expensive for anyone who uses a vehicle for work on a day to day basis. By providing your engine with regular additives you can not only extend the life expectance of your vehicle but you can avoid breakdowns caused by carbon deposits. Make the investment today and watch how it will impact the long term health of the vehicle