Fuel Treatment- Worth It, Or Waste of Money?
Depending on who you ask- Fuel treatment for your gasoline or diesel vehicle is either a necessity, to be used as needed or nothing but a waste of money- So which is it?
In this post we’ll attempt to explain the factors that contribute towards fuel economy and efficiency and give you reasons why to use fuel treatment.
Let’s start with what we would define fuel treatment as. We would refer to fuel treatment as any fuel additive that is aimed at increasing the performance and efficiency of fuel consumption in an internal combustion engine. There are many factors that could contribute to increasing these efficiencies, some of which are as follows:
- A clean system: The most important factor contributing to performance would be a clean fuel and combustion system— from fuel tank to combustion chamber, all the way through to the tail pipe. Any blockages or deposits anywhere will in some form, and to some degree, affect your vehicle’s performance.
- Octane/ Cetane Levels: Not to get super technical- but there is octane (in gasoline) and cetane (in diesel). In short, the higher the levels of octane and cetane the better the performance.
- Quality of fuel: The quality of what you put into your tank would obviously have a significant impact on your fuel economy, but we’re not just referring to octane and cetane levels; you also have to consider water, algae and other deposits that may accumulate in the bulk tank storage at gas stations. We have all at some point or another, experienced that “bad batch” of fuel at a random station in either Trinidad or Tobago, and doesn’t matter which gas station brand. The reason is typically a result of poor tank maintenance and highly contaminated fuel.
- Fuel burn: Getting a complete burn of fuel is critical in fuel economy— so make sure spark plugs are good, you have no leaky gaskets, hoses or manifolds, to ensure the best burn possible.
- Overall vehicle condition: Fuel economy is not only dictated by your engine— poor suspension, alignment, faulty transmission, bad wheel bearings, low tire pressure, all contribute to negatively affect your fuel consumption!
Given all the factors stated above, let’s assume your entire fuel system is clean, you have a full tank of the best fuel available with no contaminants and your vehicle is in tiptop shape from sunroof to tires, should you still use fuel treatment? According to Bari Mustapha, Director of ZMMA and the sole distributor of QMI Treatment Products in Trinidad & Tobago, it’s a must:
“Yes, you should absolutely use fuel treatment in your vehicle every time you put fuel in your tank. Even though your vehicle may be in tip top shape, with every drop of fuel burned you create carbon, and over time this accumulates in your system to cause problems down the road, so using QMI fuel treatment helps remove any build up already existing as well as lubricates the system to help prevent any further buildup from occurring in the combustion chamber”. Bari Mustapha, ZMMA
In addition to keeping your fuel system and combustion area clean and lubricated, QMI fuel treatment increases both octane and cetane levels in gasoline and diesel respectively, contains combustion modifiers to create a more complete fuel burn and increase fuel efficiency, reduces harmful emissions from your exhaust, scavenges water by permanently solubilizing and micronizing water into fuel by creating a hydrogen bond between water molecules and fuel molecules, thus converting water from a potential fuel system “problem” into a “combustion improver” by squelching hot spots in the combustion chamber.
So, the short answer to the question is yes- you should use fuel treatment in your vehicle to not only increase your fuel efficiency but to more importantly maintain your vehicles performance over time.
For best results, Use QMI Fuel treatment every time you’re at the pump. Available in various sizes best suited to your needs:
Size/Vehicle size guide:
| Size | Vehicle Type | Vehicle Model |
|---|---|---|
| 1-ounce bottle | Small Cars Hatch Backs | Nissan Tiida Suzuki Swift Toyota Corolla or similar |
| 2-ounce bottle | Wagons SUVs | Nissan Wingroad Nissan X-trail Kia Sportage Toyota RAV4 or similar |
You can also purchase 32 ounce and Gallon sizes, available for boats, heavy equipment, generators or bulk tank treatment.
Usage ratios:
| Size | Gas | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 1-ounce bottle | 10 gallons (37 Liters) | 5 gallons (18 Liters) |
| 2-ounce bottle | 1200 gallons (4840 Liters) | 600 gallons (2420 Liters) |
The 2 oz size is most popular says Bari, as it gives the reassurance that the minimum ratio is achieved when applied.
Conclusion
As you can see, efficient fuel consumption is based on many factors, and your personal experience will vary. Whether it makes sense to use a fuel treatment will depend on the level of savings you are able to achieve and if that is enough for you. Over time savings will add up, especially if your fuel usage is high, like owners of taxis, heavy vehicles and fleet owners.
Tell us your experience; leave a comment and let us know how fuel treatments have worked for you.
QMI Fuel treatment is well known in the automotive industry in Trinidad & Tobago and the brand name is synonymous with high quality and performance. QMI fuel treatment is readily available at all your leading gas stations and auto parts suppliers nationwide, or buy in store or online directly from ZMMA at zmmaltd.com. 
