Miracle for fuel economy?

[gone_fishin]

If acetone worked, race teams would be using it. They don't.

Actually, you're wrong. Acetone is a slightly basic molecule. Basic additives to gasoline increase its volatility factor (the rate at which evaporation occurs) and therefore thermodynamically increases the efficiency/rate of combustion.

Paint-thinner is a solution of acetone, toluene, and xylenes. People have been adding paint-thinner in measured volumes to gasoline to make illegitimate race fuel for a long time. Race gas has basic additives, and therefore likely contains acetone. So although race teams are not dumping bottles of pure acetone into their tank, it is certainly an additive (among many) in race gas.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Subbin to read through posts later to see if this acitone thing is for real and if it will damage a car in any way.

 

[FlyinMSP]

Interesting to see that this old thread is back!
I've tried acetone for one year, recording everything. Here's my findings:

-Acetone will not damage in any way the car. It's 100% safe. E10 is way more corrosive and can be used no problem.

- I did not have improvement in my mileage. Same as before. NEVERTHELESS, the car seems peppier with better throttle response. While I was experimenting with acetone I found myseld driving the car a bit harder than usual b/c this added "zip". So this could have evened out any gains... Only rigourous lab testing would prove it, maybe we should ask the Myths Busters to test it!

-Acetone doesn't work the same way with all fuels. It doesn't seem to make any diff. with Shell V-Power and that's why I've stopped using it b/c I love that fuel!

 

[SNike05]

...maybe we should ask the Myths Busters to test it!...

they did test it. The results were no change in consumption.

 

[mhrebin]

they've done studies you know..... it works 60% of the time, everytime!

lol maybe ill give this acetone thing a wirl.

 

[camrycev6]

Forgive me if this is a double post...but here is a link with a lot of real world data from people who have tried it. The cars are listed by company as well. As you will see most experience a modest increase in gas mileage, while some actually get worse.

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Acetone_as_a_Fuel_Additive