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Gasoline additive

Gasoline additives increase gasoline's octane rating or act as corrosion inhibitors or lubricators, thus allowing the use of higher compression ratios for greater efficiency and power, however some carry heavy environmental risks. Types of additives include metal deactivators, corrosion inhibitors, oxygenates and antioxidants.

Additional recommended knowledge

Daily Sensitivity Test

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Better weighing performance in 6 easy steps

Additives

Oxygenates
- Alcohols:
  - Methanol (MeOH)
  - Ethanol (EtOH)
  - Isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
  - n-butanol (BuOH)
  - Gasoline grade t-butanol (GTBA)
- Ethers:
  - Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)
  - Tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME)
  - Tertiary hexyl methyl ether (THEME)
  - Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE)
  - Tertiary amyl ethyl ether (TAEE)
  - Diisopropyl ether (DIPE)

Antioxidants, stabilizers
- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- 2,4-Dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol
- 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol (2,6-DTBP)
- Phenylene diamine
- Ethylene diamine

Antiknock agents
- Tetra-ethyl lead
- Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT)
- Ferrocene
- Iron pentacarbonyl
- Toluene
- Isooctane

Lead scavengers (for leaded gasoline)
- Tricresyl phosphate (TCP) (also an AW additive and EP additive)
- 1,2-Dibromoethane
- 1,2-Dichloroethane

Fuel dyes, most common:
- Solvent Red 24
- Solvent Red 26
- Solvent Yellow 124
- Solvent Blue 35

Others
- Nitromethane (increases engine power, "nitro")
- Acetone (vaporization additive, mainly used with methanol racing fuel to improve vaporisation at start up)
- Butyl rubber (as polyisobutylene succinimide, detergent to prevent fouling of diesel fuel injectors)
- Ferox (catalyst additive that increases fuel economy, cleans engine, lowers emission of pollutants, prolongs engine life)
- Ferrous picrate (improves combustion, increases mileage)
- Silicones (anti-foaming agents for diesel, damage oxygen sensors in gasoline engines)