How to Restore Fuel Lubricant

Including a fuel additive each time you fill up can help lubricate the fuel injection system.

The fuel you add to your vehicle contains a certain amount of lubricating oil to keep your fuel injectors running smoothly. In the mid-1990s, low sulfur became the fuel of choice at gas stations around the country. Some believe that the low sulfur fuel contains less lubricant, and therefore does not protect your injection system as well as it should. When the injection system is not properly lubricated, it can result in poor performance and bad gas mileage. There are several choices for fuel lubricant additives available for diesel and gasoline engines through gas stations and auto parts stores. Remembering to include these additives can make a big difference in the life of your fuel injection pump and injectors.

Things You'll Need

• Fuel additive
• Funnel
• Small notebook
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Fill your car's gas tank with gasoline or diesel as usual. Most fuel additives require you to add the product to a full tank of gas. Be sure to read the instructions on the bottle before, though, as there are a few products that encourage you to add the additive to an empty gas tank and then refuel with gasoline or diesel.

2. Insert a funnel into your car's fuel tank.

3. Pour the additive through the funnel into your car's fuel tank. Most fuel additive products work best with 8 to 20 gallons of gasoline. Therefore, you may choose to include a fuel lubricant additive each time you refuel your car.

4. Note the date and mileage when you add the fuel lubricant. Keep a small notebook and pencil in your car's glove compartment, and note any changes you see in the performance of your car and gas mileage after using the additive. If you have difficulty with your engine after beginning fuel lubricant treatments, you will be able to recall the exact date and mileage of your vehicle when you began including additive. This can help a mechanic diagnose an engine problem. If you choose to treat your injection system with fuel lubricant once a month, or every other refueling, noting the date and mileage of the additive treatment will help you remember when your car is due for another treatment of lubricant.

References

• Diesel Fuel Systems: Diesel FAQ's