Mythbusters finally tackled the issue and tested car performance with acetone mixed with gasoline. Was the mileage improvement touted by Louis Lapointe confirmed? Plausible? No. And no. Totally busted.
They didn’t test the full range of mixtures, but said they used about a 500:1 gasoline:acetone ratio. That’s about 2.56 fluid ounces per 10 gallons.
Just like the engineers at Kettering University, no improvement due to acetone was found. In fact, it looked as though mileage was decreased in all four of their scenarios (2 speeds times 2 cars) on the dyno.
I’m SHOCKED!
UPDATE: whoops! I thought tonight’s episode was new. I was wrong, according to Wikipedia it aired on May 10, 2006. And crazy ol’ LaPointe defends himself in his FAQ (seriously, read it and decide for yourself that the guy is nuts):
Did you know that MythBusters says acetone reduces mileage? I heard that. Of course it is false. The whole purpose of asking people to buy a ScanGauge is to find out the Truth for themselves. MythBusters created a myth rather than busted one. Perhaps they were paid to promote controversy with unscrupulous propaganda. Perhaps to create controversy to gain audience. But it looks like acetone was hurting somebody’s profits. Nobody pays me anything. I get my monthly SS and live off that, including what I spend on testing gasoline which is damned expensive. There are lots of things I could do with the money than waste it on a lie or keep searching for ways to improve mileage. Why do I do this? I do it for the public–for you folks, out of my good heart. The liars are not hurting me because I do not depend on them. They hurt the public with their unfounded and/or inaccurate opinions. Get a ScanGauge, people.
Is it possible MythBusters deliberately faked bad results with acetone? Possible for a simple reason. Their conclusion is out to lunch. This additive works in such tiny amounts that it could cost the industry billions in lost sales–keeping that money in your pockets. Here are just a few ways to rig a test for failure. Bad plug wires or bad spark plugs. Bad acetone with water or benzoate. Bad fuel mixture. Bad ignition timing and/or computer settings. An engine in poor condition. That is why I suggest you keep your engine and car in top condition when you test fuels with acetone, GP-7, neohexane or xylene. When I first started examining acetone for MPG back in the 50s, I found I could not depend on test results unless the engine was in excellent condition. Over the years I eventually found the parts that give best mileage. 50+ years of testing means I am a very stupid individual or lying like a rug to maintain this position on acetone and other mileage tips. Both my ScanGauges must be lying too. Be aware there are hundreds of people seriously testing fuels out there–who must be liars also. The Truth always comes out. Always. The method of testing I use is repeated over and over to avoid errors. I never test just once because gasoline changes. Everything changes. I guess I have tested acetone thousands of times by many different ways. I wonder if the same people who faked bad test results with acetone have also praised ethanol. Plus the good acetone comes from Klean-Strip or 100-percent pure from Sally Beauty Supply, that is worldwide.
Way back when I addressed this, I speculated that the guy was making money by selling ScanGuages, because half of his website is about buying one so you can do yourself the favor of testing your car.
Being credible shows up nowhere on the guy’s site. Like I said, his “data” exist on a level consistent with high schoolers and not with anyone with credible technical training. And he doesn’t bother to say something like “hey, buy any equipment you believe in and test for yourself.” It’s always ScanGuage ScanGuage ScanGuage!
The second paragraph from his FAQ is hilarious, too. Most of his defenders use really crapped out cars to test acetone before swearing that acetone works. Now he’s saying that your car must be in top working order for it to work. Keeping your car in top working order is the recommendation made by everyone who knows anything about cars. It’s also exactly what the oil and auto industries recommend (remember, according to LaPointe, these industries are doing everything they can to keep mileage down). But most of the people who would be into acetone are the people who do not want to spend money on repairs, upkeep, etc. (I also like how he capitalizes “truth.”)
Louis may be an honest guy, but if that’s the case he’s apparently a horrible scientist. Or he is a flat out liar. Either way, I find zero reason to believe the guy.
UPDATE 2 - 6/18/2007: LaPointe is right about one thing. Fuel mileage is highly variable and dependent upon conditions. So it is accurate to say “gasoline changes. Everything changes,” and that extensive testing must be done to verify something. And really, it should be done in the laboratory. If not done in the lab, the testing must start with an extensive testing of baseline conditions. That means, for the average driver, they must record months of mileage results and conditions to start with. Otherwise, without a solid baseline, any quantitative comparison is fairly useless. I venture to guess that the vast majority of people who report on their tests — myself included — have not sufficiently established a set of accurate baseline data.
To add to that, Chevron has a very useful page about calculating mileage and what factors can affect your mileage and by how much.
As an extra example, another episode of Mythbusters tested fuel mileage of a car at varying distances behind a semi. The results varied from about 32 mpg up to 44 mpg. Same car, same driver, same gas, same day, the distance behind the truck had a huge impact on mileage.
Links of interest:
- Engineers at Kettering University were unable to find increased mileage due to acetone..
- Acetone probably can’t improve the surface tension of gasoline.
- Oil companies make most acetone.
UPDATE 3 - 6/18/2008: Just a few thoughts/comments from my end:
- The above link to a Chevron page still works, but the page has changed significantly, which is a shame.
- If you’re going to leave a comment, try to be smart about it. This means that at least a little bit of proofreading is a good idea. It also means that if you’re going to post your results from your own testing, describe things like how you established your baseline and what your baseline was and then go forward in describing the with-acetone results. Honestly, I’m getting a little tired of the dreadfully stupid comments being left these days. They are so bad that I can’t tell if they’re supposed to be serious or funny.
Ryan Says:
I guess not that many people have ever heard of blind or double blind studies
tommy Says:
Double-blind describes an especially stringent way of conducting an experiment, usually on human subjects, in an attempt to eliminate subjective bias.
(from wikipedia)
with that’s said, i beleive suggesting double-blind trials on machines means double-ignorant..
Mike Says:
Double blind in this case would be that the driver does not know if he has acetone in his tank or not. Just thinking that you’re getting better mileage may affect how you drive. You may drive more cautiously and carefully so as to not blow your gain in mileage.
Duh!
Because humans are involved, they need a blind study to limit the effect of the driver.
Brutus Says:
Really John Doe?
Have you tried it yourself???
I have, for over a year now! And YES, Acetone increases milage! And my truck runs sooo much better !!!
You must work for Big Oil or the Gov.
Go crawl under a rock! It’s people like you that are destroying us and the planet.
Oh and Ryan… no I just see ALOT of Blind People!
Brutus
Notasheep Says:
Can’t believe people still fall for this stuff nowadays! Just like the resistor in your IAT sensor, O2 sensor compensates for the richness. No one has produced a study under ‘controlled’ conditions that produces these improvements, only studies that prove it’s in-effectiveness. Being a licsensed Automotive and Heavy Duty Diesel mechanic, I have seen these claims come and go, mechanical and chemical, with no definitive results. Here are 3 ways to increase your mileage, drive the speed limit, don’t sprint from stop to stop, maintain proper tire pressure….doing these 3 things can save you up to 30%……..without buying any chemicals, mechanical devices, or any major driving changes! There is no cure for stupid driving habits and poorly maintained vehicles!
Doug Stewart Says:
Looks like “Brutus” sprung his devastating logic trap a day too early - today’s the Ides of March, not yesterday. Yesterday was Pi Day. Duh.
Cloned13 Says:
I just started experimenting with 100% acetone in my dodge truck. I bought the “100% actetone” at a drug store however, it has benzoate in it. Most of the literature I have read states that benzoate is bad for combustion, however, most of the acetones I have looked at have benzoate in it? Any suggestions?
JP Says:
Just as mentioned above… Klean Strip 100% (Or as close as chemically possible) Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot.
Lucas Z (PA) Says:
The nay-sayers are nuts!!!!!!!!!!! I have consistently been getting better gas mileage in my 1998 Saturn SL2 while using 100% pure acetone. I avg about 240 miles to 10 gallons of gasoline without acetone, and can rack up a little over 300 miles on 10 gallons with acetone added. (Both numbers are a combination of hwy/city, plus me beating the crap out of it.) Say what you want, but I’ll continue average over 30 miles per gallon.
Brian S Says:
I recently started using acetone, but not after establishing a baseline MPG a month prior. Now it is a month after using acetone. My non-acetone MPG was 12.83. My new MPG is 14.86. I will continue to collect data before I really jump on the band wagon, especially with the transition from winter to spring driving conditions.
But I do have to agree about LaPointe. He doesn’t come off as being totally credible or scientific. I emailed him what I thought was a supportive letter suggesting more hard data to improve his credibility. I got back a speech about me being a nut case and just inflating my own ego, plus the usual speech about how he doesn’t get one cent for his research (wrong!!).
He was totally unprofessinal and certainly didn’t react like someone who is truly knowledgeable or scientific or only caring for his cause. I might think this one of the biggest scams around except for the fact that I know acetone worked for me. And maybe that is it. The acetone does seem to work but do the devices he recommends (or sells?? via a hidden partnership) really work all on their own?? So far not enough credible evidence for me.
John Says:
I tried using 100% acetone in my gas, and after 5 months, my fuel lines started to swell up. I only used 2.5 ounces in my 15 gallon tank. Definately not worth it.
Haywood Says:
My dad used to make racing fuel for our go karts back in the late 50’s . I remember well, his beakers and cans and jars of nitro-methane, acetone, benzene and Sunoco “blue”….if my memory serves me correct, the diaphragms in the Tillotson carbs and fuel lines never swelled.But our eyes did burn from the fumes…….
art Says:
I was a none believer until I used it on my 305 HO carb SS Monte Carlo. I have notice that my car saves 1/4 of a tank driving normally to and from work weekly as to without acetone. Also my car is so quit I can’t hear the engine running or knocking. Really wierd.
John Says:
I just starting reading about this acetone business. Interesting thoughts. I know refineries / oil companies and there is no conspiracy. The major problem I can see with putting acetone in gas is the vapor pressure. This is regulated and even a small amount will increase this dramatically. You can make cheaper gas with more butane (heavier than acetone) but can’t add more and still make the vapor pressure requirements. By the way, thats the difference between summer and winter gasoline, the requirements change with the season. The requirements are there to help control the vapors (pollution) from gasoline as it sits in tanks or is transfered between tanks.
Ray Says:
You can say that you know Oil companies and that there is no conspiracy, but the evidence is clear. If there is no conspiracy, Why is it that all oil companies raise their prices “equally” on the same day? Why is it that they have bought up every patent for carbuerators that would increase gas mileage? Why is it that the Auto makers switched from those carbuerators to fuel injection? The latter move sure wasn’t done to improve fuel economy, it was the only way they could ensure that “shade tree” mechanics wouldn’t be able to effectively work on cars. The conspiracy exists, The question is, How long before Americans get tired of paying for it?
One further thought, There was a man in Minneapolis a few years back who bought a new truck. He immediately noticed that he was getting better gas mileage than the vehicle was supposed to get. When he took it to the dealership for preventive maint., he mentioned how good the gas mileage was. The dealership checked and found that the truck was made to be sold in Europe, not the U.S.. They contacted the manufacturer, who contacted him. They offered him his choice of vehicles to give them back this vehicle. He refused, stating that he was happy and had no intention of giving up the truck. Soon after, his truck was stolen from his place of business while he worked. I don’t think you could call that coincedence. Why, if they have the technology to improve gas mileage for European vehicles, don’t they do it for American sold cars? It’s a conspiracy.
Al Says:
I couldn’t have said it better Ray. Anyone who downplays acetone
in fuel either works for the oil companies or the govt.
JRI-SS Says:
I havent tried it yet but from what ive seen acetone could POSSIBLY help MPG.
however if i was basing the credibility of the theory on the other things he claims in his FAQ i would say he is full of “”it”"
any alcohol, (but mostly ethanol) can be made to be MORE economical than gasoline, BECAUSE it has a high octane rating, and very greatly cools the intake air, now taking from my experience in high performance engines if you greatly increase the compression ratio, and advance the timing you get combustion that is many many times more efficient. If you designed and tuned an engine to run off of JUST E85 you would have a %10 overall savings and at the same time have TWENTY FIVE PERCENT MORE OVERALL POWER.
“oh and by the way you can eat that cake too ya know”
water mixed with gasoline is not good but water INJECTION, is one of the best things you can do for performance and if used in moderation WILL increase efficiency. you want the water to be mostly liquid all the way into the combustion chamber. like ethanol, water cools the intake charge because of the vaproation and the heat absorbed by the liquid water, also since liquids cant be compressed, it raises combustion chamber pressure, which raises efficiency.
i could continue enlightening you but theres probably only going to be 5 people who read this anyway.
D-DAYv Says:
Your case would seem more believable if you didn’t have so many grammatical errors in your post. Maybe you should take a few english classes with your spare time instead of posting mindless gibber.
richard rupe Says:
well then i must have been one of the lucky 5 i just started using acetone in my gas - i have a mitsubishi montero sport and its original miles are 18 city 22 hwy i guess but i want to see what happens over the next three weeks im using a 2.5 floz to 10 gal ratio– as of right now ive got no results to post - but i will be posting again within the next 2 weeks — we shall see whgat happens– worst possible cenario– i destroy my engine beyond repair–oh yes just a footnot — the engine does run about 15 -20 degrees hotter when sitting at a traffic light for more than 4 minutes but that has eased -as i said we shall see what happens ill keep you all posted
Pete Says:
Only old single spool jet engines used water injection. Totally replaced by new fuel efficient fan engines.
The old radial piston engines on aircraft used 115/145 octane gasoline with superchargers that required
water / alcohol injection to prevent detonation. Modern autos don’t have the high compression necessary
to take advantage of high octane fuels, or water/alcohol injection. So…… dream on buddy.
DDMan Says:
No way Jose!!! I tried it in my 97 F150 with 5.4 L engine and lost 2 mpg. From 14.7 to 12.8.
With gasoline at over $3.00 a gallon it was a expensive lesson especialy after facturing the cost of the acetone. At this time I don’t think you can beat quality gasoline with a minimal amout of ethanol, like none.
stan Says:
21.5 average town and country 3.8 2001 version
In two years all i ever got as a high was 22.8 mpg imperial
——————————–
25.1 with duralube
25.5 to 27.5 with acetone.
Same trip every weekend 52 times a year. was getting 366 miles per tank
now I get 399 miles per tank, which it never read before, for 2 years.
mpg are in imperial.
Highway 100 miles, city 125 miles city then I fill up.
I guess it does not at all work so I will give up and go back to 366 miles per tank…
Tx-James Says:
D-DAYv, It looks as though you’re looking for errors in writing and not focusing on what is written. From what I’ve read, there are substantial savings which can be attained from using acetone in gasoline. I see no reason to disbelieve what is written by the folks here who have real testimonies regarding the use of acetone in their gasoline. What I don’t understand is why you would be so critical of something which is “TOTALLY IRREVELANT TO THE SUBJECT”. I know many corporate execs who have poor spelling, but they can run a business and speak at shareholder’s meetings.
JRI-SS had a lot of good and intresting information to share and I for one appreciate what he had to say. Thank you JRI and please continue with what you were saying.
Emmett Says:
>It’s also exactly what the oil and auto industries recommend (remember >these industries are doing everything they can to keep mileage down).
You lost me there. The Oil and auto industries actively lobby against lower mileage standards. The exact opposite of your statement is true: oil and auto industry is doing everything they can to avoid keeping mileage down!
nobrainer Says:
I was repeating LaPointe’s claims. I have since edited that line for clarity.
Although I don’t think I believe that they lobby against lower mileage standards. I believe they lobby against higher mileage standards. Although I suppose they could lobby to simply have the standards remain unchanged.
Willyjoeshow Says:
All I know is I own a 2006 Dodge Caravan and have had it in the dealership 7 times for defective O2 sensors and the problem I am having with it kept occurring. I was getting only 10 mpg and having a lot of sputtering, stalling, check engine light on and loss of power until I started adding 2.5 oz Pure acetone per 10 gallons of 87 octane Shell gasoline. When we bought the vehicle it ran fine and I was getting appx 24 mpg city. now after using the “additive” I am getting appx 31 mpg city with no spitting, sputtering, power loss and the check engine light has not come on since. weather it’s a myth to everyone else or no who cares if it works for me then I am going to continue using it.
theringside Says:
I’d change gas stations! sounds like your local gas station is “cutting” the gas with petrolium sludge. this will cause your car to run like crap because it’s clogging your injectors. Acetone is used in most fuel injector cleaners.
Phil Hoey Says:
Any long term users had any issues to damage to the fuel system? Just got a used Silverado 1500HD to haul my RV and was looking for way to ‘help’ the mileage a little since the K&N filters etc, only help when you get up in the power band, not down where the rest of us live.
Also does anyone store premeasured amounts in small containers? I would also guess you would want to add it to the gas before filling up to achieve max mixing.
I have no direct knowledge but I would guess that the reason gas companies do not put it in at when the gas is manufactured is that it will most likely evoporate before it gets to the consumer.
nobrainer Says:
http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Acetone_as_a_Fuel_Additive suggests that some cars are definitely prone to damage. It makes sense because acetone will react differently with different materials. So some fuel systems will be safe and others may not be.
You raise an interesting point about vapor pressure (which is somewhat related to the ability to evaporate) that I hadn’t yet looked into. I doubt that acetone evaporates much more easily than gasoline in general, or some of the components of it, such as ethanol. However, there are regulations on gasoline related to vapor pressure. Dealers have to get waivers for certain gasolines blended with ethanol due to the vapor pressure issue. Since the logic goes that acetone will increase fuels ability to vaporize, it could be possible that if acetone came pre-mixed in gasoline, the vapor pressure would be too high and thus not allowable.
Tom Says:
For the past three years I have been experimenting with acetone and have had only good results. I drive a ‘99 24 OHV Ford Taurus and before I started using acetone I was getting about 17 mpg. My driving is mixed, about 50/50 in and out of town. After 30,000 miles this is what I found..
I have used a variety of mixtures and have found 1.5 oz of pure acetone gives me about 27 mpg. I discovered this after using 3 oz and 4 oz mixtures. The 3oz got me up to 22-23 mpg. My logic was that if “a little” bit works…MORE will be even better!.. WRONG!.. With the 4oz my mileage actually dropped back to about 18-19 mpg.
1 1/2 oz of the stuff works for me. Plus the engine runs “so much” smoother. I hate to use the metaphor of a “Singer sewing machine”…but that’s actually what I was thinking when I was grappling with the change in engine performance.
Also, the tail pipe is burning browner.. the plugs are tan. I can see how it might not work in some vehicles, but as far as I’m concerned; it’s the best thing since sliced bread!
Gabe Says:
I am totally sold to acetone, (3 oz per 16 gallons). The acetone in the gas not only increases mileage, but also makes the car to run smoothly, I am currently using acetone and I will continue using acetone in my car for the following reasons:
Car runs much better; I have a mini van Toyota Siena 2001 with 131,000 miles
The smog check went so low that the mechanic said that for an engine with these miles the engine is running like a brand new car
Acceleration is wonderful; I have same response than when the van was brand new… maybe even better
I do not smell to burnt fuel in the morning and I have no smoke coming out from the tail pipe when cold, and absolutely none when is hot.
The increase of mileage for the last three months went from 17.6 mpg to 22.7 mpg average, and this is money that I did not spend
IF I follow, your erroneous figures of 8% of mpg increase, this still representing a sizable amount. If you follow current statistics,
US OIL DEMAND, 2004: Over 20 million barrels per day and 2007 is obviously higher ref.(http://www.gravmag.com/oil.html).
Subtracting 8% 1,600,000 – 20, 000,000 = 18400,000 of barrels a day
Supposing a sale price at the pump 0f 2.50, the Oil Companies will lose 4,000,000 per day. And a year 144,000,000 of dollars
It is not rare that they refuse to implement acetone in the gas, and is not rare that ANYONE will sell their soul to the Devil for much less than this.
Unfortunately, I think this web site has serious interest in BUSTING this TRUE, “Conspiration” theories are not my forte, however hiding the truth and publicizing a lie is not ethical, moral, or professional. I am sorry to read the opinion of this publisher … Mr. publisher sorry to “bust your myth”
Gabe
nobrainer Says:
Anecdotes and testimonials do not constitute proof, let alone scientific proof.
Considering the high proportions of Americans who are bad math, science, or both, I am not at all surprised when some people think they discover something.
Considering your poor math and reasoning skills, I have little reason to believe you are capable of providing reliable test results.
A. Random Lurker Says:
After reading the material on this site and from Mr. LaPointe’s site. I think Mr. LaPoint is way to interested in conspiracy stories, however this acetone thing seems to work for some. you, NOBRAINer, seem to have issues with the perceived need to always be right. This is made very apparent by your hostile attitude toward those who carry opinions differing from your own. My view is that if it works, it works. But you both seriously need to get a life and some counseling. Its OK if people disagree with you and no, the world isn’t out to get you…
nobrainer Says:
I apologize for expecting critical thought and real evidence.
Chris Says:
My dad found out about acetone about 2 years ago. He has been using it in his ‘03 WRX and averages 2-3mpg increase per tank. I tried using it in my ‘94 Mustang GT with 130k miles. It was burning a lot of oil (1qt every 1000 miles). It didn’t appear to show any improvement. I just bought a ‘98 Civic LX (1.6L sohc non-vtec) with 95k miles. My first tank was 40.3mpg. I noticed that the oil was black, so I changed oil and filter, aired up the tires and put in about 200ml of acetone (from Ace hardware) and a splash of Marvels Mystery Oil. I just got 45.8mpg. Not bad. I think the car is only rated at 30/38mpg from Honda. I’ll definitely keep trying it out. I am only using one gas station to minimize that variable.
D. McAllister Says:
I have been using Acetone (Kleenstrip) for about a year now in my ‘98 F-150 (4.6 2wd). I have varied gas stations on several different occasions for experimental purposes and have found no real variation from my initial gain (now status quo) mpg which averaged is 17.78 mpg from pre-acetone of 14.59. Also, the carbon build-up that has been prevalent around my tail pipe has since dissipated. My two cents. Also I found my best mileage to be obtained from 1 fl. ounce per gallon of gasoline.
Valhakar Says:
NoBrainer, here is a bit of critical thought.
Acetone has an estimated octane of 150. By using the *gasp* power of math you can estimate the octane increase of 3 ounces in 15 gallons of fuel.
Gallons of fuel added 15
Octane rating of fuel 91
Ounces of Acetone added 3
Residual fuel in tank 0
Octane of residual fuel 0
Final octane rating 91.234375
Not a significant amount, but it is a boost. On forced induction cars, acetone works not only to bump the 91 octane swill we get in AZ, but also to help prevent preignition. 3 oz of Acetone will allow us to dial in and extra 2-4 degrees of timing under boost which can be as high as 20 PSI.
I suspect the increases in gas milage reported is the same effect that performance parts use advertise. Some user bolts on part ABCD and gets 15 wheel horse power. The reason they gain so much was that the part corrected a flaw in the car’s build. (Example a different intake leaning out the mixture and the car’s ECU start having the proper measurments from the MAF simply by chance). The normal driver would not see much gain. Some drivers could even lose horse power.
Acetone is not a wonder substance that will free the world of oil. It is simply hydrocarbons that burn a bit slower and evaporate rather quickly. There are probably many cars that run on that ragged edge of the correct tune when using 87 octane fuel. The tiny bump in octane may be enough to simply let the car run more smoohtly. The best suggestion is try it, but be careful.
nobrainer Says:
I can’t entirely agree. I calculate a lower final octane rating (using a weighted average calculation).
It does seem plausible that a slight increase in octane could improve some cars’ performance (those on the ragged edge of the correct tune).
However, if octane rating is the issue, the best suggestion is not to try acetone. Not at all. The best suggestion is to buy better gas. The same increase in octane can be achieved by just mixing in a couple gallons of the good stuff with the stuff you regularly use. Doing so will cost about the same as adding acetone, with less hassle and less risk.
Joe Says:
Seems the real nobrainer here would be to try it. If it works for you, it works for you, if not then it doesn’t.
You really need to stop the nonsense and find out for your self Nobrainer. If you don’t want to make a minimal investment of money, and less investment of time than it’s taking you to keep these posting wars going on, then you should really just stuff a sock in your mouth (or rather around the fingers you’re typing with) and just shut up and get a life already.
Circmand Says:
Nonsense for years we have been able to purchase gasoline with different levels of octane. All studies have shown octane does not increae mpg. Otherwise to improve gas mileage you would just have to buy premium. Now I can see oil companies wanting mpg to stay low (even though it is at the highest level in history) to make more money. But auto companies have nothing to gain by low mpg and look at what Toyota and Honda are doing they keep pushing for better mpg. Of course trhey do not want higher standards because they no the US car companies still want to shove their ideas doan our throat instead of giving us what we want. So whether acetone works or not the conspiracy theories certainly do not. Also why does the govt want poor mileage? no one ever explained the theory
tommy Says:
the octane rating of fuel is a characteristic, cannot be calculated by weight of the its components, the calculation is only applied for the reference which is a mixture of iso-octane and n-heptane.
ever heard of the octane rating of tetraethyl lead? so there
the rating is determined by tests such as Research Octane Number (RON) or Motor Octane Number (MON) or Anti-Knock Index (AKI)
now the idea of ethanol being an anti-knocking agent is a pile of steaming horse shit. the Japanese Navy knew that all too well and that was one of the reason why Japanese Zeroes outturned, outran and outclimbed all Allies fighters in WWII.
http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=5192301
show me a sample of premium aviation gasoline (not jetA fuel) that does not contain acetone and methanol.
nobrainer Says:
How about showing us samples of premium aviation gasoline that do contain acetone and methanol?
tommy Says:
where are your from? Cambodia?
nobrainer Says:
The point, which you so clearly missed, is that most of don’t know shit about aviation gasoline. Moreover, I’m not even clear on how applies to a conversation about automobile gasoline; most of us aren’t driving Japanese Zeros.
bp Says:
I tried acetone in by 2006 Chevy Uplander and I didn’t have much of an increase in milage. I knew this going into trying it. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to work well. In Illinois fuel is required to have 10% ethenol in it. This is why it didn’t work. The gas must be pure. The ethenol increased oxygenization in the fuel so it burns cleaner.
I did have an increase in milage I’m getting 2 miles to the gallon better in the city and on the highway. Driving habits can also help with milage. For example, you can coast more and use the natural terrain to you advantage. I coast on downhills, up to stop signs and traffic lights. Learn when you can cost on your daily driving and where you can start coasting. This has increased my milage a lot more than the acetone additive. (Don’t forget where I’m at has 10% ethenol in the gas). Don’t do the “jackrabbit” starts from stop signs and traffic signals. Increase speed at medium rate and do it smoothly.
I put acetone in the gas for my 1976 self propelled Lawnboy mower. The mower runs better and cleaner. It doesn’t have that 2 cycle smoke from the exhaust anymore. I’ll be checking to see how it work in the old Toro 2 cycle snow thrower this winter.
Sid Says:
Well, you can always use the left-over acetone to make penetrating oil, mixed 50/50 with tranny fluid……..
dippy Says:
You son of a bitch, I’m right behind you! Turn around and ASK me for a Heffer with cheese, yo!
GoSolarJailBush Says:
I just saw a show called futurecar in which they explored alternative fuels and propulsion systems including 4wd electric motors and compressed air motors. While the idea of improving efficiency of existing fuel types was not covered, it did give me a thought worth exploring so this question I will pose.
Has anyone applied the ‘acetone test’ to a hybrid vehicle whereby the combustion engine is used to run the dynamo which provides the electricity to propel the vehicle?
My guess is that an engine which Is not directly connected to the road would make a better test subject due to a more constant load since in this configuration the ’stop and go, fast and slow’ variable of real world driving is reduced by the inductive/
this guy is a fraud. I believe he is trying to sell his fogwarmer. He isn’t even close to being an engineer. The only thing he knows about cars is being a shadetree mechanic. None of his car facts even add up.
Well, I don’t know about mileage, but in my ‘83 ford LTD wagon it sure smooths out the rough idle while warming up. I don’t drive it much, just under a mile to work and back when it is raining or cold and I don’t want to walk, so mileage is not the issue for me. I just hate having my engine stall a a few blocks between work and home. A few cents of acetone fixed what repeated trips to a mechanic could not. Worth it for me.
Unbelieveable that there is still doubt that acetone will increase mileage…
As for Mythbusters - hate to say it, but this program is aimed at low-IQ, uneducated plebs! Also, they are only too happy to act as disinformation agents for bigoil when called upon - acetone value being a prime example. Another was the Bedini motor - although this has been already been duplicated and verified every bit as much as acetone, and even though those idiots had some MIT physicist (the same people that ‘proved’ “cold fusion” was bogus - despite the Pons/Fleishmann discovery having now been replicated 100’s of times, and MIT shown to have fraudiently tampered with the data at the time)’guiding’ them in the motors construction - IT DIDN’T EVEN HAVE MAGNETS FITTED!!! btw, the SG motor (schoolgirl - ‘cos a schoolgirl had built it with Bedini’s help) was making headlines at the time, so Mythbusters were called on to undermine it…
You have a very strange definition of the word “unbelievable.”
Trouble spelling also….”fraudiently”?????
Dazzle me some more brainiac.
fuck u