Have you ever considered what exactly is in the gasoline or diesel fuel you put in your car? It’s not just pure gasoline and contains a variety of additives! Fuel additives are essential to gas and diesel and can help your vehicle run better, meet federal regulations, and more. Keep reading to learn about fuel additives, the benefits of different types of additives, and more.

WHAT ARE FUEL ADDITIVES?

Fuel additives are chemical substances designed to improve the performance and effectiveness of gasoline or diesel fuel. Additives in fuel are introduced at the refinery or before the fuel is sold at the pump. Remember, these are a different type of additive than those you can buy at an automotive repair retailer, though some may offer similar benefits.

While fuel additives may have different purposes, it’s important to note that in the United States, federal law requires that all types of gasoline contain detergents that help prevent carbon deposits on crucial engine components. These detergents, or cleaners, can help remove carbon from your fuel injectors and carburetors, improving your vehicle’s performance and reducing harmful emissions.

HOW LONG HAVE ADDITIVES BEEN IN USE?

Fuel additives have been used almost as long as gasoline engines have been made. One of the first fuel additives was lead, which was introduced in the 1920s by General Motors to boost octane and reduce engine knock. The passage of the Clean Air Act in the 1970s meant lead started being phased out and was banned entirely in 1996.

Another additive that spent a few years in the spotlight was BTEX Complex. Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-Benzene, and Xylene are the chemicals that make up the BTEX Complex, and these compounds help increase the fuel octane much like lead did. However, BTEX was found to have adverse health effects similar to lead and is severely limited in gasoline. Ethanol has replaced these compounds and is currently in use as an octane booster, in addition to other common additives.

WHAT ARE FUEL ADDITIVES USED FOR?

Fuel additives help your gasoline or diesel do its job even better. Hundreds of different types of fuel additives are approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency. Some of the most popular types of additives are:

DETERGENTS

Like laundry detergent cleaning your clothes, fuel detergents help clean your engine.

LUBRICANTS

These additives help your engine run smoothly and reduce wear and tear on certain parts of its fuel system.

ETHANOL

This type of alcohol is added to gasoline in order to reduce emissions and raise octane. Did you know the original Model T was designed to run on pure ethanol?

STABILIZERS

Gasoline and diesel often contain stabilizers that help keep it safe and effective for a longer period after production. These can also be helpful if your vehicle or equipment isn’t used often.

CORROSION INHIBITORS

These protect your fuel system components from rust and corrosion caused by moisture and other contaminants.

ANTIOXIDANTS

These additives can prevent fuel oxidation, which can degrade its quality.

OCTANE BOOSTERS

Boosters increase the fuel’s octane rating to prevent engine knocking, allowing for smoother operation and better performance, especially in high-performance engines.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FUEL ADDITIVES?

As mentioned above, fuel additives improve your vehicle’s performance, clean different engine components, help lubricate your engine, and more. Another benefit of additives is that they can help protect the fuel pumps and the fuel itself. Some additives help stabilize the fuel, keep it from going bad, help limit the amount of water in it, and even limit microbial growth in diesel fuel engines.

Fuel additives are included in almost all branded gasoline and diesel you purchase at the pump. Branded gasoline typically contains a proprietary blend of additives, making each brand unique, and some fuel additives are exclusive to certain brands.

Other additives are exclusive to certain types of fuel – for example, ultra-low sulfur diesel has specific additives that can be different from 89 octane, mid-grade gasoline. Since these different fuel types have different chemical structures, they require various additives to keep them (and your vehicle) in top shape.

YOU CAN COUNT ON VENTURE FUELS FOR YOUR FUEL NEEDS

When you need quality fuel for your gas station or fleet, you can count on Venture Fuels. Whether you’re interested in nonbranded fuel or branded fuel with a proprietary blend of additives, we have what you’re looking for. We partner with the major Midwest fuel refiners to bring you high-quality fuel at great prices. Contact us today to learn more.