Do you always keep your car on reserve and have you ever heard that it’s bad? Do you always choose branded fuel? So let yourself be guided by this article

#car #reserve #heard #bad #choose #branded #fuel #guided #article

Jorge Martins, professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minho and author of several books, including “Internal Combustion Engines”, demystifies the issue and explains to what extent this concern is valid

“Driving with the car on reserve damages the engine” is something we’ve all heard and many drivers, whether due to forgetfulness, lack of time or money, end up doing it, many frequently. But does it really damage it?

The entire automotive industry has seen constant improvements in terms of mechanical evolution and construction of vehicle parts: decades ago fuel tanks were made of metal. Therefore, whenever the interior walls dried, they ended up creating rust, rust that could release residues that, when entering the fuel circuit, would damage the propulsion system. It was therefore advisable to keep the tank walls moist with gasoline or diesel.

This is the main reason why it is still said today that “driving your car on reserve damages the engine”. “40 years ago, filters were of poor quality, but even then it didn’t make much sense to say that reserve fuel damaged cars. Now they are always of high quality, it really doesn’t make any sense”, guarantees the university professor to CNN Portugal.

Currently, the tanks are made of plastic, which does not get damaged or rust, and there is also a fuel filter to prevent the accumulation of residue.

But it’s not just the quantity of fuel that comes into play, it’s also its quality. On the topic of driving efficiency, one of the most discussed topics is the true effectiveness (or lack thereof) of additive fuels. According to oil companies, these are its benefits: it helps to remove dirt and residues that accumulate in engine components, contributing to better performance and efficiency; corrosion protection, claiming that some additives have antioxidant properties that help protect the engine’s metal components against corrosion, prolonging its useful life; and also reduce polluting emissions – the additives present in the fuel allow for more effective cleaning of the engine, which can help reduce emissions, contributing to a smaller footprint.

For Jorge Martins, it is a “fact” that additive fuels “are better”, even though it is never possible to specify exactly how they can contribute to the proper functioning of the engine. “We don’t know exactly what additives are present and I can’t discern whether, in fact, it uses less or the engine runs better, although I believe so,” he admits. The efficiency depends on many factors, such as “the temperature, whether we turn on the air conditioning or not, the distance traveled”.

The university professor is sure of one thing and it can help when refueling your car: “Additive fuel has less foam, which allows for more efficient filling of the tank.” But it is more expensive, is it worth it? For Jorge Martins it depends on the price presented. “If the difference is between three and five cents, I would say it is worth it, after that amount, not so much.”

Still with regard to fuel quality, if you are one of those drivers who only fills up at gas stations branded, the specialist from the University of Minho recalls that “there is only one refinery in Portugal”. “Since the one in Porto stopped being operational, everything ends up coming from the same place.”