Adding Acetone for Higher MPG

[marc780]

I read on this site about adding 2 to 3 oz of acetone to the fuel to improve mpg.
The Free Mod Series: Part V How to pick up MPG, and sleep with her too!

So i thought i'd give it a try in my 2002 Camry V6, and have been keeping careful records for several months. My impression is the results are sometimes a little inconsistent - but - overall there does seem to be an improvement in mpg.
Maybe it is the hot weather, but for some reason my previous tank i got 30 mpg!!!! Of course I'm sceptical as to the reason it went so high , i could have miscalculated a little. But like i said, i keep pretty good records and so i couldn't have been off by much.

Of course you have to factor in the cost of the acetone itself in the equation - it is like $5 a quart at Walmart - and i add the acetone right before i fill up for proper mixing. And also i use a glass measuring shot glass (Walmart again) to make sure i add two to three oz each time, no more no less. And BTW just ignore thefunny looks from the other people at the gas station while you do this lol


According to a site link on this forum written by a petroleum engineer, (cant find the link) the proper concentration is very important to getting the mpg benefit. And this guy says that adding the acetone works because it decreases the surface tension of the gasoline and makes it vaporize better.
For whatever reason, i have found acetone DOES seem to give some benefit to overall mpg. It's no miracle additive by any mean, but does seem to help and probably worth a try.

[toyomoho]

A web search on adding acetone to gasoline will find many hits on this subject. Some sites have data to explain how it works.

[drunken_panda]

IMHO, its not going to make any difference. Mythbusters did a test and found nothing. My mom is a petro chemist who worked for Chevron and Halliburton and she says that the effect is going to be almost non-exsistant.

[r46]

interesting, gonna to try
1) does it help to reduce NOx in smog test?
2) is it oxygen sensor safe?
thx

[jbrams]

The short answer to this discussion (which has been rehashed nearly every time gas prices rise substantially) is in parts:

(1) There's a possiblity that you'd see a 1-2% increased in MPG which may be attributable to your change in driving style (as you pay more attention to your average MPG you consciously or unconsciously change your driving style, slow down, stop charging hills, or speeding away from stop lights)

(2) There is a risk of damaging components of your fuel system or engine ... the risk is small for most and non-existant for some, but there is a risk.

(3) You're much more likely to see bigger gains from keeping your car well tuned (oil and filter changes, new fuel filter, new air filter, cleaning the throttle body, proper tire inflation levels [costs the US over $3 billion/year, see USA Today], etc). Before spending the time on getting and using the acetone, consider that you're more likely to get more substantial results from doing any of the above listed maintenance procedures (which are tested, tried, and true) rather than experimenting with a highly volitile chemical which is more likely to ruin your paint than increase your MPG. Heck, removing a roofrack is twice as effective as this stuff!

Just my $0.02 after looking into this in some detail, feel free to disagree

[marc780]

IMHO, its not going to make any difference. Mythbusters did a test and found nothing. My mom is a petro chemist who worked for Chevron and Halliburton and she says that the effect is going to be almost non-exsistant

I believe your mom could be right on the money, she is an expert after all! And like i said, my results are inconsistent. But my overall impression is that under certain conditions, there may be a benefit in mpg. The answer as to every single question in life, is it depends! On, car, engine, quality and grade of fuel, and a bunch of other crap that no one with a life would ever give much thought too. But like i said, probably worth a try. It is 2 oz of chemical going into almost 20 gallons of petrol so i think any harm caused, if any, would be minimal.

interesting, gonna to try
1) does it help to reduce NOx in smog test?
2) is it oxygen sensor safe?thx

1. I dont think so, probably not enough to nudge you to passing smog with a marginal engine. But if this is your concern i'd research it further, there are plenty of links here.

2) I think it is. Again, not 100% sure.