Acetone as Fuel Additive for Better Miles-Per-Gallon

QUESTIONS ABOUT ACETONE

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.