Comment from Greg Becerra
Time: June 6, 2007, 7:33 pm

The acetone helps gas vaporize by reducing the surface tension of the gas. If you are using high octane gas (the only reason to use this is if you have a performance engine or maybe if your engine knocks) then that could account for no efficiency increase.

You might also consider that older cars usually have sediment build-up in their gas tanks so the tank could be in effect smaller than you think. I’ve heard stories of a tank losing a few gallons to sediment build-up but that might just be talk. Older gas stations tend to have more foreign matter in their gas.

From what I’ve been able to find, acetone helps within a specific ratio. Too much and you will actually lose performance.

Also you might consider that mileage varies over time based on several environmental conditions. In my case, I have one car that gets on average 22.433 miles/gallon with a standard deviation of 2.519 miles/gallon over a period of 13 gas fill-ups. That is an 11.2% variance. My second car averages 12.022 miles/gallon (no comment) with a standard deviation of 3.188 miles/gallon over a period of 7 gas fill-ups. This is a 26.5% variance.

So based on this data, it becomes statistically possible to have an experiment report a 22.4% increase on my first car, and a 53% increase on my second car without even adding the acetone (the controls of the experiment). You would probably have to have a lot more data before making a conclusion and base it on averages over a long period of time.

Comment from Hammer
Time: June 6, 2007, 9:09 pm

I acknowledged that with further experimentation and adjusting the ratios that I might actually achieve some fuel savings, but considering the fact that the first test produced zero increase, I don’t think it’s worth the time.

I also realize that mileage can vary from week to week depending on the distances driven and whether more miles are in town or on the highway, however, the car I tested is used for virtually the same types of trips week after week and as far as I’m concerned, the test was relatively fair.

Some people swear by the stuff, so who knows. All I can do is report my results, which I found disappointing.

Comment from Bucky
Time: June 7, 2007, 9:50 am

Submit this to the Mythbusters. Maybe they will do a show out of it.

Comment from Sornie
Time: June 14, 2007, 10:39 am

I have to say that things like this are always some sort of scam. If they actually worked, I can surely say that the entire population would already be using tricks like this.

Comment from Matt
Time: June 17, 2007, 12:09 pm

I will offer no support for whether or not adding acetone will actually increase MPG’s. However, you say “after driving 20 miles or so, I reset the computer trip odometer” then later you do a calculation without accounting for that and you certainly can not say what exactly you reset the odometer. Furthermore you continue: “So, can I conclusively say that adding acetone to your fuel — I say fuel because it supposedly works for diesel too — will definitely not increase your mileage?” I truly hope everyone sees you have no creditability. Additionally, what scientific methodology are you using that results are conclusive after a single trail.

Comment from Hammer
Time: June 17, 2007, 12:40 pm

Matt, I never claimed my test was scientific, did I? I simply offered the results I experienced. Everyone is welcome to conduct their own tests.

As for the odometer, I said I reset the computer based odometer, not the one on the speedometer. I set the main odometer when I refueled the car and did not reset it until I refueled. Some cars also have onboard computers, as mine does, and that’s the one I reset part way through the test. It’s not as accurate as the main odometer and is not the one I used to base my mileage calculations. I simply used the onboard computer odometer to give me a quick visual idea of what kind of mileage I was getting.

Comment from Tom
Time: December 14, 2007, 11:54 pm

I have been using acetone in my 03 powerstroke diesel for over a year and 35,000 miles. I have consistently gained 5 mpg. Your experiment was useless. First of all, add the acetone, then fill your tank so that a proper mix is done. Not all engines respond immediately. Acetone acts as a cleaning agent. An engine must be in good condition to get immediate results. You stated you do alot of city driving. No wonder you did’nt see results immediately. I predict dirty injectors and high carbon build-up. Let the acetone clean out your engine and injectors. This may take a few tanks, your mileage will begin to increase and your emmisions will get cleaner. Give it time.

Comment from Pete Antisen
Time: March 27, 2008, 2:15 pm

I too tried to add acetone in my tank with no apparent increase in milage. I did it for a month. I have a fairly new vehicle with only about 15,000 miles. At first it seemed like there was some increase but i attributed to better driving habits trying to get better mileage…kept the Air off more, stpped the engine when i was parked…etc…I beleive on older vehicles there many be a slight increase in mileage be cause the acetone is cleaning up the fuel system and injectors…but on a fairly new vehicle all systems are probably in optimal condition already…so hence, no improvement …this

Comment from Pete Antisen
Time: March 27, 2008, 2:17 pm

I too tried to add acetone in my tank with no apparent increase in milage. I did it for a month. I have a fairly new vehicle with only about 15,000 miles. At first it seemed like there was some increase but i attributed to better driving habits trying to get better mileage…kept the Air off more, stpped the engine when i was parked…etc…I beleive on older vehicles there many be a slight increase in mileage be cause the acetone is cleaning up the fuel system and injectors…but on a fairly new vehicle all systems are probably in optimal condition already…so hence, no improvement …this is only my opinion and not scientific experiment

Comment from Jim Moudy
Time: April 24, 2008, 7:31 pm

OK, I wanted to try it for myself. I traveled about 140 miles each way, same day, same weather, almost identical traffic, trip was almost exactly due north with a breeze from the west, and fueled with the exact same brand of fuel. Results: Trip A, 146.0 miles / 6.69 gallons used / 21.82 MPG Trip B: 136.8 miles / 5.21 gallons used / 26.26 MPG. Only difference was trip B has 6 oz of Acetone in the tank. No noticeable change in performance. (1998 Toyota Avalon with 355,000 miles — engine has ~70,000 miles).

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Time: June 19, 2008, 6:10 pm

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Comment from Brad M
Time: June 20, 2008, 1:53 pm

I am not sure if the acetone added in the gas tank works or not to increase mileage. However, I have read that if the gas you buy contains E10 / ethanol 10% as a fuel additive, the acetone is rendered useless and you will not get any results/benefits.
Info says the E10 negates the effects of the acetone. If this is true, not worth me even experimenting because here in western PA most all gas stations sell gas containing E10 to reduce auto emissions.

Comment from Brandon
Time: June 24, 2008, 3:02 pm

I have done this experiment many times with my MX-3, which by the way has a 10 gallon tank. I know first hand that Acetone essentially would clean your injection system and valves if you run it in your gas tank. Which ultimately would increase your MPG. But that is no different from any other fuel injection cleaner that you can buy in any auto part store. I guess it depends on how you want to look at it. But overall, Acetone additive, does not improve your MPG just keeps your fuel system clean. =D hope that helps for any of you

Comment from julian
Time: July 26, 2008, 7:41 am

hmm… some cars are not designed for premium fuel… my dad blew an engine with high octane gas…

(high octane burns slower, therefore it would be pushing flames out the exhaust valves)

but i dunno the legendary ***kipkay*** did a video about this and he seemed to increase his gas mileage by 4 or 5…

guess all cars respond differently

Comment from Matt
Time: August 14, 2008, 2:06 am

wait.

so you set out to be a scientist. so far so good.
you had a pretty steady baseline. still good.
you got the needed equipment. (now lets remember you specifically mentioned 16oz)
you offer that you used only 3 ounces during your first *and only* experiment.
citing it “wasn’t worth the time” to try a different mixture.

now, you still have ~13oz of the product left
you still have a funnel you bought
you obviously invested time in this.
*) the time it took to pick up the equipment
*) the time to measure everything out
*) the time to write this blog

… not a very good scientist.

and its unfortunate this page came up so high on google.

Comment from Hammer
Time: August 14, 2008, 10:28 am

I clearly said that my results were inconclusive and at what point did I say I was a scientist? lol

I tried it out of curiosity and conveyed my personal findings. I didn’t think the results were encouraging enough to continue.

Comment from lorna
Time: August 20, 2008, 11:46 am

this is true acetone can double a mileage wow!!!!!! are you kiding?????

Comment from BoomBox
Time: August 21, 2008, 12:08 am

-Smacks Matt-

Comment from Neo
Time: September 12, 2008, 8:22 pm

kipkay done this to his car and he said it worked. Suss him out on youtube, username kipkay

Comment from Slide
Time: October 13, 2008, 6:51 pm

Acetone helped my car. 2000 v6, minivan, went from 28mpg to 31mpg. As my tank gets 3/4 empty I also feel more power. I can’t figure that out. If it works for you use it, it doesn’t don’t. Look at this site: http://pesn.com/2005/03/17/6900069_Acetone/

Comment from egleaves
Time: October 27, 2008, 10:34 am

I am about to try this with my motorcycle as I have had fellow riders report gains in fuel mileage. Anyone claiming an increase of 70% or even 50% is out of their mind, that’s just not going to happen. An increase of around 10-15% is a more realistic figure, but depending on the vehicle this number may still be a bit high. While I don’t know yet for certain my guess is that you would see a more significant result from a carburetor fuel system than you would with fuel injection. A carburetor is much older technology and could benefit from a helping hand more so than fuel injectors which are inherently more efficient. I plan to use the same acetone/gasoline ration in my carbureted motorcycle and my fuel injected car to compare any gains. I have closely monitored the mileage on both of these vehicles for the past year, so I already know what to expect without the acetone. Now it’s off to the hardware store……

Comment from Andreas
Time: March 30, 2009, 7:42 pm

Wow, there are so many negative articles about Acetone. Three years ago I decided to add acetone to my 2006 Jeep liberty 3.7 litre gas engine. After three years using acetone my Jeep runs awesome, great power and modest fuel consumption. The mileage fluctuate from time to time, however my average was about 420 miles (600 km) per tank with acetone using 2 oz per tank, 350 miles without acetone. My advice try acetone in different amounts every time you fill up, the result may surprise you. Too little acetone does nothing to improve mileage, too much acetone does not improve mileage either. Measure properly.

Andreas

Comment from jeff
Time: January 18, 2010, 7:12 pm

please bear some things about acetone in mind before you add it to your gas tank to increase gas mileage. number one being acetone will bond with water over “thinning” gasoline causing more of a water removing effect than vaporization effect, much like adding HEET to your gas tank. two acetone is more of a cleaning agent so over the course of three to four tanks worth you will mostly be cleaning the inner workings of your engine. as for increasing gas mileage, yes if your fuel injectors are that dirty or you are running a carburetor style engine, but if you are using it in a brand new car or have new or recently installed fuel injectors not much will occur. however i can say that pure acetone is an excellent engine cleaner and is much cheaper at $1.50 for 8oz (only 2oz being needed) than the other items on the shelf that have 4 or 10 chemicals must average people cannot pronounce and cost between $3-$20 with the entire container being needed for the treatment.

Comment from Soensaeng
Time: January 19, 2010, 10:09 pm

Someone said that more people would be using devices on their engines or additives that increase fuel mileage “IF” they are out there. Then why do the fuel companies have lawyers that do nothing but go around buying out patents & or products that have been proven to work? (The individual(s) that developed these couldn’t get backing for production. So they sold out for some cash.) High mileage vehicles have been around LONG before the supposed “fuel crisis” began in the 70’s. I personally owned an 84 Toyota Camry Diesel that consistently got 52 MPG highway. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rjH_Ezb4C0) I’ve even called Toyota to ask why they don’t produce the vehicle or something similar again. They would not give me a definitive answer. ( I find it interesting that they go on about their “high mileage” vehicle, the Corolla, which only gets 32 city/41 highway .) That’s 11 MPG LESS than the vehicle I was driving 25 years ago!!!!