Acetone as Fuel Additive for Better Miles-Per-Gallon
Ultimately: Just Try it Yourself
By John Melendez, published Feb 19, 2008
Published Content: 168 Total Views: 409,207 Favorited By: 37 CPs
Hey Folks,
I received an email from a reader in reference to my original article here supporting the use of acetone as a fuel additive to increase engine power and fuel efficiency. Basically the reader's concerns hover over the still-unresolved issue of whether acetone can harm one's car - even in the small quantities that have traditionally been used since the 1930s.
Rather than send my answers to that reader only, I wanted to share my thoughts below with everyone.
So...
QUESTION
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From: Martin
Sent: 2008-02-17 06:10:03
Subject: Acetone as Fuel Additive
Dear Mr. Meléndez:
I am concerned about adding acetone to diesel fuel. By using acetone won't I lose the lubricating properties of fuel?
ANSWER
Martin,
A tidbit about acetone's history: Legend has it (perhaps this is well documented somewhere) that in World War II, the German Luftwaffe began using acetone to increase power and efficiency in gasoline powered aircraft, such as their Focke-Wulf and Messerschmitt fighters. The tradition of acetone power enhancement has lived on throughout the decades, and no doubt the debate continues now - in this case, in the form of your questions.
Your concerns about using acetone are quite reasonable. I asked the same questions myself before trying it. But after trying it out on the long-term (30,000+ miles), I found that using acetone did not adversely effect my car's performance or regular maintenance schedule.
Before I go any further, I have to qualify my response above and the more detailed answer below.
There is a chance that my experience with acetone is more of an exception because I am prone to changing out parts and babying my car with inexpensive upgrades like bypass oil filters, using superior protective products like Amsoil engine crankcase oil, and using biodiesel - which doubles not only as a fuel but also as a combustive lubricant.
Acetone as Fuel Additive for Better Miles-Per-Gallon
NAZI GERMANY'S LUFTWAFFE used acetone to increase engine power in fighter planes such as in this Focke Wulf Ta-152 flown by Kurt Tank in 1944. Tank was attacked by American P-51 Mustang fighters on a flight from Langenhagen to Cottbus. He left them far behind merely by throttling up his engine.
Credit: Roland Sachsenhofer
Copyright: Roland Sachsenhofer
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Takeaways
- Germany's Luftwaffe used acetone to increase engine power.
- People have used acetone for increased engine power for decades.
Did You Know?
"After trying it out on the long-term, I found that using acetone did not adversely affect my car's performance or maintenance."
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