Acetone MPG!

[Spumonti]

Well, I've gone through a full tank...

First of all, let me set the stage a little bit. I drive the same routes daily, and used to average about 300 miles to a topped-off tank. Ever since I put 16 inch wheels with wider tires, I haven't been able to get more than 285 miles to a tank...

Enter acetone...
I mixed in 2 ounces of acetone while filling my tank, however this time I did not top off the tank.

Even with wider tires I was able to get more mileage out of this tank, using acetone, than I ever did with the stock tires...322 miles!!! I just filled up again and added 2 ounces again. I'm eager to see if these results will replicate. As an added note, I made constant mental note to not change my driving habits.

The fuel:acetone ratio that I am using is about 557:1, based on the tank being 8.7 gallons

[SuperGeek]

How many gallons? Now, repeat over four fillups for an average to reduce the natural error from pump shut-off timing and placebo effect - i.e. wishful thinking causing you to subconsciously let up on the pedal just 5% and not even feel the difference.

[Spumonti]

Originally Posted by SuperGeek

How many gallons? Now, repeat over four fillups for an average to reduce the natural error from pump shut-off timing and placebo effect - i.e. wishful thinking causing you to subconsciously let up on the pedal just 5% and not even feel the difference.

I fill the tank to top-off. That means that I fill it until it starts to regurge. As for the "placebo", I have driven a couple of tanks with the intention of getting the best mileage out of a tank. With my wider tires the best that I have achieved while driving conservatively was in the 280s. With the acetone added I drove like I normally do, which normally gets me 270ish miles per tank. However, with the acetone I got 322 miles...

Well see with a few more tanks...

[Spumonti]

I guess that one big unknown to me is in regards to the low-tank fuel-left meter. I don't know if that is an accurate measurement. That is why I am not claiming any certain MPG, but the overall miles per tank. My constants are that I always fill the tank to the regurge point, and I fill the tank at .2 gallons remaining. So, I actually would have had a hair more mileage if I had burned it to a stall. I could implement that into my test... I do have a small 1 gallon gas can that I could fill, in order to let the car burn completely out...

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by Spumonti

I do have a small 1 gallon gas can that I could fill, in order to let the car burn completely out...

If you did that, you could answer a lot of other questions on this site (specificly how far past 0.0 you can go and how much gas can fit into that tank)

Remember the Seinfeld episode at the SAAB dealer where Cramer took a test drive and they went for the thrill of how long they could go after the guage read E.

Go for it! Im not going to.

[Jimbo]

Well, Acetone does flash and burn at a lower temperature, lower vaporization temprerature, higher vapor pressure at a given temperature, and has more BTU's than gasoline. Stands to reason you'd get more energy in your tank. the big question, is the price of a couple of ounces of acetone cheaper than a gallon of gas, if all the variables are the same you're looking at about the equivalent mileage of a gallon of gas. What induced you do decide to do this?

[burtandnancy]

Jimbo, how close is taoulene to acetone?

[pdboilermaker]

I dont understand this acetone thing, it has been around and been around like the giant alligator in the sewer system that eats little kids. I am convinced that this is yet another unicorn, similar to the browns gas generator, the "VORTEX" air cleaners, the 100mpg carbs, etc. let me explain:

1. Car companies - If this or any of these other things actually worked dont you think the car companies would have tested them on their cars years ago and put them on or put something in the manual that says "add chemical ???? to your gas at XXX rate". I know, I know, I am going to get the car company / big oil conspircy theory people up in arms but look at the facts. Americans by and large love big, high horsepower v8 engines, it just so happens that until recently those have also proven for the car companies to be the most profitable. Now lets imagine for a minute that I am the head of GM and I can sell you a 400 hp HUMMER H2 that gets 40mpg, I would sell them faster than I could build them, employ many thousands of US workers, my profits would soar, and I would "bail-out" the USA quacks in Washington out. Would I care if I made the oil companies mad? I think not because I would be transferring the wealth from them to me, plus, I could buddy up with the acetone folks, maybe buy some shares in their comapny and make myself a little "Golden parachute"

2. Gas companies - If at my refinery, I added some acetone and it increased your cars mileage by 30% wouldnt I do it? Again, big oil conspircy people stay with me. If I am Speedway, and I can prove, advertise, and my customers actually see it that if you buy my gas with "super secret squirel chemical ???" in it you will gain 30% on your MPG. Of course I am going to sell less gas and oil because the rate of use drops - HOWEVER - all of those people that buy Shell or BP gas are going to switch to me without a thought. I will make soooo much more money because I have crushed the competition, do you think I care if I offend one of the other gas companies? In fact, I may buddy up with the acetone people, buy some shares and get myself a nice big "Golden parachute"

3. Oil companies - Same as the gas companies

[jimvw57]

Acetone can have a bad effect on certain components such as plastics. Would you want to introduce a product without fully testing it? I don't think so. Such testing is expensive as would be the porential of lawsuits for something you missed. (We are talking a large company distributing to millions of users..) A completely different story when you are one guy testing on your own vehicle.

As for just saying add this amount.. You'd have to assume someone will add too much and make sure it would have no bad effects. I guess thats why all the snowmobiles went with oil injection, to control how much oil is used, plus it is more convienient.

as for the other gizmos, I can only say that with over 200,000 miles on my Expedition WITH a Tornado in the intake hose, my fuel use stays right around 17 MPG not great but better than the previous 13-15MPG. it cost me 60 bucks. After 200,000 miles, I think it has paid for itself. Never tried any 'cow magnets'.

My opinion (and it is only an opinion) is that you are maybe getting close to the summer mixture of gasoline and thus seeing the miles difference. (I can't prove that but thats what I think) nothing wrong with that. If it works for you, go for it!!

I would guess if you did find the secret to amazing gas milage, you would finally know where Jimmy Hoffa is resting...

[Spumonti]

Originally Posted by pdboilermaker

I dont understand this acetone thing, it has been around and been around like the giant alligator in the sewer system that eats little kids. I am convinced that this is yet another unicorn, similar to the browns gas generator, the "VORTEX" air cleaners, the 100mpg carbs, etc. let me explain:

1. Car companies - If this or any of these other things actually worked dont you think the car companies would have tested them on their cars years ago and put them on or put something in the manual that says "add chemical ???? to your gas at XXX rate". I know, I know, I am going to get the car company / big oil conspircy theory people up in arms but look at the facts. Americans by and large love big, high horsepower v8 engines, it just so happens that until recently those have also proven for the car companies to be the most profitable. Now lets imagine for a minute that I am the head of GM and I can sell you a 400 hp HUMMER H2 that gets 40mpg, I would sell them faster than I could build them, employ many thousands of US workers, my profits would soar, and I would "bail-out" the USA quacks in Washington out. Would I care if I made the oil companies mad? I think not because I would be transferring the wealth from them to me, plus, I could buddy up with the acetone folks, maybe buy some shares in their comapny and make myself a little "Golden parachute"

2. Gas companies - If at my refinery, I added some acetone and it increased your cars mileage by 30% wouldnt I do it? Again, big oil conspircy people stay with me. If I am Speedway, and I can prove, advertise, and my customers actually see it that if you buy my gas with "super secret squirel chemical ???" in it you will gain 30% on your MPG. Of course I am going to sell less gas and oil because the rate of use drops - HOWEVER - all of those people that buy Shell or BP gas are going to switch to me without a thought. I will make soooo much more money because I have crushed the competition, do you think I care if I offend one of the other gas companies? In fact, I may buddy up with the acetone people, buy some shares and get myself a nice big "Golden parachute"

3. Oil companies - Same as the gas companies

..."and if you'll buy that, I'll throw the Golden Gate in free"...

History records that, until recently, everyone who has come up with a way to significantly increase fuel economy has been mysteriously killed or had their patents purchased for millions (if not billions) by entities that never have used them, and never intend to use them...

It's not conspiracy theory... It's conspiracy fact...