Additives in the engine: purpose, types

An additive is a substance that is added to fuels or lubricants in order to improve their specific characteristics. Additives can be factory and individual. The first ones are added to the oil by the manufacturers themselves, and the second type of additives can be bought in the store yourself. They are used by drivers and service centers to solve some specific problems, taking into account the actual state of the engine.

Some additives are used to improve fuel combustion, others to eliminate the increased smoke of a car, and others to prevent corrosion of metals or oxidation of lubricants. Someone wants to reduce fuel consumption or increase oil life, someone needs to clean the engine from carbon deposits and soot or eliminate oil leaks ... With the help of modern automotive additives, almost any problem can be solved!

What can be done to reduce fuel/oil consumption?

To achieve oil and fuel savings, anti-friction additives have been created. In addition to this main function, they are also able to increase the compression in the cylinders, provide additional cooling for rubbing parts and, in general, extend the life of the engine. In addition, additives in engine oil enhance its protective and lubricating properties.

In an internal combustion engine, a large part of the fuel is spent on overcoming mechanical losses - friction in the engine itself. Therefore, even a small decrease in internal resistance has a positive effect on fuel consumption. Friction is effectively combated by antifriction additives, which make metal surfaces in the engine more slippery.

How to increase the octane / cetane number of fuel?

The octane number of gasoline characterizes its knock resistance, for diesel fuel this indicator is called the cetane number. Knock resistance - the ability of a fuel to resist self-ignition during compression.

Now at gas stations they sell not very high-quality gasoline and diesel, in which the octane / cetane number does not always correspond to the declared one. Driving on such fuel causes detonation - explosive combustion that disables spark plugs, oxygen sensors and catalysts.

Octane and cetane correctors are anti-knock additives that can increase the knock resistance of a fuel by several points, making it suitable for normal engine operation.

Whether it is worth using such additives is a highly debatable issue. When refueling a full tank, the difference in price between 92 and 95 gasoline will cost as much as buying a jar of octane corrector. And it is impossible to objectively assess the quality of fuel from refueling and “self-prepared” (except in the laboratory).

How easy is it to start a diesel engine in the cold?

Diesel fuel contains paraffin in the liquid state. When the temperature drops below -5 °C, the paraffin in the fuel crystallizes and forms solid clumps. The crystals clog the fuel filter, since their size is much larger than the pores of the filter element. Paraffin is also deposited on the inner walls of parts in the fuel system.

Therefore, the fuel does not flow normally to the engine, which makes it very difficult to start the engine. At sub-zero temperatures, diesel car owners often face the problem of difficult engine starting. This phenomenon can be combated by adding depressant additives for diesel fuel. Often this agent is called an antigel.

Depressant additives do not dissolve paraffin, but prevent individual crystals from sticking together. Therefore, if paraffin crystals have formed in the diesel engine, then it is too late to add such an additive.

What additives will help increase engine life?

Anti-wear additives for diesel fuel are used to protect the engine injection pump and other important structural components of the fuel system from premature wear. The use of lubricating additives:

• improves the lubricating properties of low-sulphur diesel fuels;
• increases the operational life of the propulsion system, and also reduces the cost of scheduled maintenance;
• brings fuel indicators to compliance with regulatory requirements;
• provides additional protection of fuel system elements against corrosion.

How to reduce increased smoke generation?

After many kilometers of run, behind the car you can notice a strong smoke when the engine is running, which is due to the wear of the cylinder-piston group. And in order to solve this issue, car owners use special additives in engine oil that protect engine elements and prevent the appearance of carbon deposits on the surface of the combustion chamber walls.

An anti-smoke additive is applied to the engine after diagnosing and determining the true causes of the problem. Additives suppress excessive smoke formation and also stabilize the viscosity parameters of motor oil at high temperatures. They also do not allow the pressure in the system to drop and reduce waste and noise when the engine is running.

How can you flush an engine?

Detergent additives have become a fairly popular alternative to flush oils: they turn old oil into flush oil, effectively cleaning the engine of dirt. Detergent additives prevent the formation of deposits, oxidation products, soot, and also neutralize acid combustion products.

Dispersant additives work in tandem with detergents. They keep dissolved deposits in suspension. Additives prevent sludge and remove contaminants along with used oil.

Why do we need antioxidant additives?

The main task of antioxidant additives is to slow down the oxidation of lubricants. Engine oil operates under conditions of high pressure and temperature, comes into contact with oxygen and other reactive gases, with heated metals that act as a catalyst. Antioxidant additives neutralize all the above aggressive factors, which increases the life of the engine oil.

What are corrosion inhibitors?

Corrosion inhibitors or anti-corrosion additives are additives that prevent corrosion of metal surfaces. Engine parts are oxidized under the influence of organic and mineral acids, gases. Corrosion is accelerated at elevated temperatures. Anti-corrosion additives provide the formation of a protective film on engine parts, neutralize the action of acids, and increase the life of the motor.

The use of additives will be effective only if they are used correctly. Incorrect dosage or operating conditions can not only fail, but even harm the motor. Before buying this or that product, carefully read the instructions for use and only then make a decision on the advisability of adding an additive. Each such additive has its own specifics and area of ​​​​use, so first decide for what purposes you need auto chemicals.

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