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What to do if the engine malfunction light comes on after refueling at a gas station

  • May 31, 2023
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It is especially unpleasant if something happens to the car during a long journey. Especially when it comes to summer vacations. We reveal a simple “life hack” to

It is especially unpleasant if something happens to the car during a long journey. Especially when it comes to summer vacations. We reveal a simple “life hack” to solve a sudden engine problem.

Usually, when traveling long distances, motorists fill up with significant amounts of fuel at gas stations. People prefer to stop less often, also to replenish their fuel supply. That is, when you refuel on the highway, the “new” gasoline (we’re talking about it in this material) almost immediately enters the engine. And if soon after visiting the gas station the same “check engine” lights up on the dashboard of the vehicle, then most likely the reason lies in the freshly filled fuel.

Even at gas stations operating under the franchise of major fuel brands (especially far from the “centers of civilization”), you can find fuel of dubious origin. The main complaint about such fluids is that the octane number is not high enough for the engines of modern cars. In such a situation, it will be a great success if your Ai-92 is sold under the guise of Ai-95. It’s worse when, in fact, 50 liters of something like AI-80 splash into the tank and your car’s engine is designed for AI-95. Such as the SkyActiv family of engines from Mazda or the TFSI from Volkswagen. Of course, from such “eating” they will immediately light up the “check engine”!

Urgently drain unsuitable gasoline and replace it with normal ones in the field, as a rule, it is impossible. The tow truck to the nearest car service is also clearly not going to rush to your call in five minutes. The solution can only be an emergency increase in the octane rating of the fuel.

This will allow you to get to “civilization” without outside help and not ruin the capricious modern engine. But to get such an opportunity, it’s worth (just in case!) to venture out with one of the chemicals, discussed below.

You can increase the octane number of gasoline, for example, with pure alcohol – ethyl or methanol. Its addition to gasoline increases the octane number of the fuel. In order for it to increase by 3 points, the proportion of alcohol in gasoline must be increased to 10%. It is possible to make AI-95 class fuel from 50 liters of AI-92 by pouring 5 liters of alcohol into the tank. Too much, agree!

There is an option to use the substance “from the grandmother’s closet” – naphthalene. Such an impurity in the fuel also increases the octane number. To increase it by 3-5 points, about a kilogram of naphthalene must be dissolved in 40 liters of fuel. It can only be used as a “fire” measure and for a short time, when there are no other alternatives. Because naphthalene contributes to the formation of carbon deposits in the engine and clogs the fuel lines.

However, the best “drugs” available to the motorist to increase the octane number of fuel should be considered ordinary acetone. It, unlike alcohol and naphthalene, can be purchased over-the-counter at any hardware store or roadside hardware store. Adding two liters of acetone to 40 liters of gasoline guarantees a five-point increase in octane. In this case, of course, consumption will increase slightly, but the car will drive by itself, and not “swear” at the burning “tick” on the dashboard.

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Usually, when traveling long distances, motorists fill up with significant amounts of fuel at gas stations. People prefer to stop less often, also to replenish their fuel supply. That is, when you refuel on the highway, the “new” gasoline (we’re talking about it in this material) almost immediately enters the engine. And if soon after visiting the gas station the same “check engine” lights up on the dashboard of the vehicle, then most likely the reason lies in the freshly filled fuel.

Even at gas stations operating under the franchise of major fuel brands (especially far from the “centers of civilization”), you can find fuel of dubious origin. The main complaint about such fluids is that the octane number is not high enough for the engines of modern cars. In such a situation, it will be a great success if your Ai-92 is sold under the guise of Ai-95. It’s worse when, in fact, 50 liters of something like AI-80 splash into the tank and your car’s engine is designed for AI-95. Such as the SkyActiv family of engines from Mazda or the TFSI from Volkswagen. Of course, from such “eating” they will immediately light up the “check engine”!

Urgently drain unsuitable gasoline and replace it with normal ones in the field, as a rule, it is impossible. The tow truck to the nearest car service is also clearly not going to rush to your call in five minutes. The solution can only be an emergency increase in the octane rating of the fuel.

This will allow you to get to “civilization” without outside help and not ruin the capricious modern engine. But to get such an opportunity, it’s worth (just in case!) to venture out with one of the chemicals, discussed below.

You can increase the octane number of gasoline, for example, with pure alcohol – ethyl or methanol. Its addition to gasoline increases the octane number of the fuel. In order for it to increase by 3 points, the proportion of alcohol in gasoline must be increased to 10%. It is possible to make AI-95 class fuel from 50 liters of AI-92 by pouring 5 liters of alcohol into the tank. Too much, agree!

There is an option to use the substance “from the grandmother’s closet” – naphthalene. Such an impurity in the fuel also increases the octane number. To increase it by 3-5 points, about a kilogram of naphthalene must be dissolved in 40 liters of fuel. It can only be used as a “fire” measure and for a short time, when there are no other alternatives. Because naphthalene contributes to the formation of carbon deposits in the engine and clogs the fuel lines.

However, the best “drugs” available to the motorist to increase the octane number of fuel should be considered ordinary acetone. It, unlike alcohol and naphthalene, can be purchased over-the-counter at any hardware store or roadside hardware store. Adding two liters of acetone to 40 liters of gasoline guarantees a five-point increase in octane. In this case, of course, consumption will increase slightly, but the car will drive by itself, and not “swear” at the burning “tick” on the dashboard.

Source: Avto Vzglyad

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