Automotive additives are chemical products used to maintain the performance of the engine and its associated systems, extend their service life, and resolve existing issues. These additives are generally categorized by application, such as the fuel system, engine oil, cooling system, and transmission.
Below you will find detailed information on which additive should be used, for what purpose, and under what circumstances:
1. Fuel Additives (Fuel Injector Cleaners and Performance Enhancers)
Fuel additives are added to the fuel tank and are designed to clean the fuel lines leading to the engine’s combustion chamber or to optimize fuel quality. They are formulated separately for gasoline and diesel vehicles.
Intended Uses:
- System Cleaning: Removing soot and carbon deposits that build up over time along the fuel line from the fuel tank to the combustion chamber, particularly in the fuel injectors.
- Fuel Economy and Performance: Clogged injectors cannot spray fuel properly. Thanks to the additives, the fuel is atomized (broken down into particles) during injection, which improves combustion efficiency and restores fuel consumption to normal levels.
- Corrosion Prevention: Preventing rust caused by moisture buildup in the tank and fuel lines.
In What Situations Is It Used?
- If you notice that the car is hard to start in the morning, or if the engine idles unevenly or stutters.
- When you experience issues with the engine stalling or a loss of power while accelerating.
- In cases where the vehicle emits black smoke from the exhaust or fails an emissions test.
- On a regular basis: Every 5,000–10,000 km for preventive maintenance, even if there are no issues.
2. Engine Oil Additives
These additives added to engine oil are designed to reduce internal engine friction or alleviate symptoms in worn-out engines.
Intended Uses:
- Reducing Wear: Minimizing metal-to-metal friction by creating an extra protective film layer between engine components.
- Increasing Compression: To increase the engine's compression by filling the gaps around piston rings that wear out over time.
- Preventing Oil Leakage and Smoke: Prevent oil from leaking past the piston rings and burning by optimizing its viscosity (thickness).
In What Situations Is It Used?
- In cases where high-mileage vehicles exhibit engine oil consumption (emitting blue smoke) and frequent oil loss.
- If the engine is running noisier or rougher than usual (noisy valve or piston-to-cylinder knocking sounds).
- To reduce friction and extend engine life, especially in vehicles operating under severe conditions (such as stop-and-go city driving or continuous heavy loads), this should be done in conjunction with an oil change.
3. DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) Additives
These are special additives designed for the DPF system, which is found exclusively in diesel vehicles and reduces exhaust emissions.
Intended Uses:
- To ensure that the soot accumulated in the filter is burned off at lower temperatures (regeneration).
- To reduce exhaust backpressure and protect the turbo by preventing the DPF from clogging.
In What Situations Is It Used?
- When the DPF ( Diesel Particulate Filter) warning light comes on on the dashboard.
- If the vehicle is used primarily for city driving and short trips (because the exhaust cannot reach a high enough temperature for the filter to self-clean).
4. Radiator and Cooling System Additives
The products in this group are generally divided into two categories: cleaners and crack fillers.
Intended Uses:
- Radiator Cleaner: Dissolves scale, rust, and sludge in the cooling system to ensure smooth circulation.
- Radiator Leak Sealer (Crack Sealer): Stops water leaks by chemically sealing micro-cracks in the radiator fins or block from the inside.
In What Situations Is It Used?
- When there are minor water leaks in the vehicle that cannot be detected (as an emergency/temporary solution).
- Before changing the antifreeze, when you want to completely remove rust and scale from an aging system.
⚠️ Important Reminder: Additives should be selected from reputable brands and must be used in the correct proportions as specified in the instructions on the label (for example: “1 bottle of additive is for 50 liters of fuel”). Excessive or improper use can damage the system.
