Gasoline additives may increase gasoline's octane rating, thus allowing the use of higher compression ratios for greater efficiency and power, or act as corrosion inhibitors or as . Other additives include metal deactivators, and .
Some additives are harmful and are regulated or banned in some countries.
Fictional additives
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Sugar, as seen in The Passionate Stranger (1957) and popularly believed to damage the engine.
Additives
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Alcohols
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Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), now outlawed in many states of the United States for road use because of water contamination.
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Tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME)
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Tertiary hexyl methyl ether (THEME)
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ETBE (ETBE)
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Tertiary amyl ethyl ether (TAEE)
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Diisopropyl ether (DIPE)
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, stabilizers
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Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
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Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
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2-tert-Butylphenol
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3-tert-Butylphenol
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4-tert-Butylphenol
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2,4-Dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol
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2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol (2,6-DTBP)
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2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol (2,4,6-TTBP)
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tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
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p-Phenylenediamine
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N,N'-Di-2-butyl-1,4-phenylenediamine
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Ethylenediamine
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Fuel detergents combine a low molecular weight polymer "tail" with a polar "head" group such as the
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Polybuteneamine (PBA), also known as polybutylene amine.
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Polyisobuteneamine (PIBA), also known as polyisobutylene amine. Some sources inaccurately refer to PIBA as "polyisobutylene" (PIB). While PIBA is derived from PIB, the amine group require for detergent power renders it a different molecule.
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Polyetheramine (PEA), formerly a proprietary component in Techron. Patent has since expired. See also polyether.
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Metal-based:
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Tetraethyllead (TEL), now banned almost everywhere for causing brain damage, both in its unburned and burned forms.
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Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); a neurotoxic substance like gasoline itself. Can be fatal if swallowed/inhaled. Can cause manganism.
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Ferrocene, an iron compound
Metal-free:
Lead scavengers (for leaded gasoline)
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Fuel dyes
most common:
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Solvent Red 24
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Solvent Red 26
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Solvent Yellow 124
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Solvent Blue 35
Fuel additives in general
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Ether and other flammable hydrocarbons have been used extensively as starting fluid for many difficult-to-start engines, especially
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Nitromethane, or "nitro", is a high-performance racing fuel
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Acetone is a vaporization additive, mainly used with methanol racing fuel
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Butyl rubber (as polyisobutylene succinimide, detergent to prevent fouling of Diesel engine )
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Ferrous picrate, used in diesel fuel to increase fuel conversion efficiency and reduce emissions
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Two-stroke oil, for lubrication of small engines reliant on crankcase compression
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Upper cylinder lubricant, extensively advertised but of unproven value
Racing formulations
Legislation
United States
Fuel additives in the
United States are regulated under
section 211 of the Clean Air Act (as amended in January 1995). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the registration of all fuel additives which are commercially distributed for use in highway motor vehicles in the
United States,
[[2] List of American fuel additives and applicable regulatory requirements.] and may require testing and ban harmful additives. The EPA also regularly reviews the health and net economic benefits of Clean Air Act policies.
[[3] Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act: a set of scientific reviews conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in compliance with the act.]
The act also requires deposit control additives (DCAs) be added to all petrol. This type of additive is a detergent additive that acts as a cleansing agent in small passages in the carburetor or . This in turn serves to ensure a consistent air-fuel ratio that will contribute to better gas mileage.
See also
