Acetone

[Mel K]

Was leafing through an Auto Week magazine and in one of the editorial columns was a story of someone who claims that by adding a few ounces of acetone with every fill up increases gas mileage and performance. Supposedly it makes the fuel burn more completely. Any truth to this?

[TurboCruiser13]

I wouldn't trust using that stuff. I run water/alcohol injection at the moment and love it to death, but would never even think about putting acetone in there. Can't imagine what it'd do to the fuel lines, injectors, seals, etc. Doesn't sound like a good idea to me...just my .02

[12secondPT]

welll it is only a few ounces that you are adding and most gas has it in already but having said that yes it can increase milage but will decrease hp. i have read alot on this on other forums.

[Musicman]

I've tried it a couple times. I usually get between 24-28 mpg on the highway. Both times I've added 2 oz. acetone per 10 gal. of 93 octane I've gotten over 34 mpg. I don't think I would do it constantly, but all the anecdotal evidence and my experiences point to some success. My DC service manager has also tried it with positive results. He is one who would certainly not do anything that would harm his vehicles!

[Mean Green]

Here's an article on acetone.

http://www.fuelsaving.info/acetone.htm

I wouldn't use it.

[emr131]

It is a bit biased, don't ya think?

Personally, I believe there are few if any recorded incidents of any problems arising from the use of acetone in gas. The possibility exists however, that if it combines with water in your tank that it could ruin your fuel pump. It is my belief that the fuel pump problem alone is causing fuel companies from putting it in their pumps premixed. The main problem is that it is not 100% safe... yet. It just adds one more thing to be careful about. I am willing to risk it to see if I get any benifit. While I am at it, if I can figure out how to bleed off any water in my tank, I will work on that too.

[Mean Green]

I am not willing to risk the possibility of a problem arising. Especially to save a few pennies. The dealer will laugh at you as they void your warranty. As for the DC service manager, whose car do you think would be covered under waranty if something goes wrong? Yours or his? Definitely not yours. As for the article being biased. I don't think so. He's got nothing to gain. There will always be people who will use acetone, buy the Tornado or use magnets for better mpg. People are sucked in all of the time. Those of you who want better mpg go buy a Honda or a Toyota.

[igormina]

I'm originally from the country where addin' aceton to fuel tank was common issue: to save your car from cheatin gas supply companies mix of high octane and disel fuiel. From my experience - usage of aceton gives you an ability to restore and rase octane grade. All what you have to do - use Your common sence, like with all others "octane boosters", "fuel stabilaizers" etc.

[emr131]

quote:Originally posted by Mean Green

I am not willing to risk the possibility of a problem arising. Especially to save a few pennies. The dealer will laugh at you as they void your warranty. As for the DC service manager, whose car do you think would be covered under waranty if something goes wrong? Yours or his? Definitely not yours. As for the article being biased. I don't think so. He's got nothing to gain. There will always be people who will use acetone, buy the Tornado or use magnets for better mpg. People are sucked in all of the time. Those of you who want better mpg go buy a Honda or a Toyota.

A few pennies? Most respond with an increase of 10-20% in fuel efficiency. I am still paying $2.30 per gallon in my area, 10% of that is .23 per gallon. Since I average around 18,000 miles on my car a year, at my avg 22 mpg, I would save roughly 82 gallons of fuel at only 10% per year, or a savings of 180 bucks.

Take a member's, Musicman, own recorded account. His best avg recorded is 28mpg, with acetone he averaged 34. He saved closer to 20%. At his worst fuel economy, he saved closer to 40%. Hardly pennies.

I am willing to risk it, as you say, why would anyone lie in this? It works both ways, average readers responding with their real numbers... why would they lie? The article you linked to is an interesting read. Unfortunately, he did not back it up with any scientific results verifying that acetone does not work or worse, causes harm to your vehicle. Sure, it may cause harm *if* there is enough water in your tank. Your car may also explode *if* you get struck by a train...

[Mean Green]

I still consider that pennies. I consider the thousands I have invested in two cars not. Most people on these forums operate under the assumption of keeping their warranty intact. See how intact your warranty is if you break down and have the car taken in to the dealer with acetone in the system. I give you an expert on fuel saving and you give me Musicman's two recorded times of using it. That's real long term. I asked a mechanic at work about it and he said putting fingernail polish remover in your fuel system wouldn't be a good thing. You feel it's worth the chance of something going wrong to save a little bit of money and risking a lot more. I hope you are right. [?]

Your car gets hit by a train you won't have to worry about it blowing up.