Fuel & Fuel Additives

Old smart · 01-15-2009, 04:56 AM

Page 307 of the U.S. Operators Manual has some pretty specific language concerning fuel and fuel additives. I am using Shell V-Power intake valve and fuel injector detergent (6oz at 2,500 mile intervals) but I decided to ask my smart center for the official recommendation on products and application. Though it is published in the OpMan, the smart centers have not been provided with such information. The smart center passed my inquiry on to smart USA. smart USA has no such recommendation to return. sUSA sent the question on to Germany.

One wonders if M-B will pull out some existing piece of paper pertaining to M-B engines (ala M-B Sheet 229.5) or pass the buck to Mitsu in Japan (neither of whom are involved with U.S. EPA spec fuel or additives). One also wonders how long it will take for the official word to filter back.

Out of interest, I checked the Euro W451 Operators Instructions, and they do not mention fuel quality or additives at all (just the required octane).

joker565 · 01-16-2009, 03:07 PM

Hi.

Actually i have never heard about any fuel additives for any smart engine.
Since i drive a Smart Roadster, which shouldnt be too different from a Smart Fortwo, the only thing you should take care for is the required octane.

Hope i could help, greets from germany.......

Old smart · 01-16-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joker565

Hi.

Actually i have never heard about any fuel additives for any smart engine.
Since i drive a Smart Roadster, which shouldnt be too different from a Smart Fortwo, the only thing you should take care for is the required octane.

Hope i could help, greets from germany.......

The difference is that in the U.S., the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) requires a level of gasoline detergent (additive) to keep intake valves and injectors clean to conform to federal pollution requirements. Some gasoline brands only use the bare minimum required by law; others use a higher level that smart USA prefers. Thus supplimenting low(er) detergent gasolines with the required additive. This is not a European issue - the EC doesn't look at the suppliment issue or require it. It may be that all EU gasolines are properly treated to the desired EC level.

jetfuel · 01-16-2009, 04:25 PM

Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel only:
The octane number(posted at the pump)must be 91 min.
It is an average of both the Research Octane number(RON) and the Motor Octane Number(MON): (RON+MON)/2.This is also known as the Anti-Knock Index.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as ethanol, IPA, IBA, and TBA can be used provided the ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed 10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3% plus additional co solvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is not allowed.
Gasohol, which contains 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements, such as resistance to spark Knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.

Additive:
...smart recommends only the use of quality gasoline containing additive that prevent the build-up of carbon deposits.
...in areas where gasoline's lack these additives smart recommends the use of additive approved by us for use on smart vehicles. Contact an authorized smart center for a list of approved products....

Data taken from the only book available to the owner/operator...the Operator's manual

jetfuel

racer · 01-16-2009, 05:42 PM

I know its just me... but do folks really bother with additives and detergents anymore?

Old smart · 01-17-2009, 08:48 AM

The original additive query now having been forwarded to Germany, it is likely that the response will come back as one approved product: M-B P/N # 000 989 25 45 10, only available guess where.

headless · 01-17-2009, 01:02 PM

Just read this thread and can clear up a few points.
Here in Britain if you get the superunleaded petrol, and I always use the Shell optimax 98 ron, it has additives and detergents already added to keep valves etc clean, normal unleaded has no additives or detergents and is a lower octane rating usually 95ron.
In the smart owners manual you get with the car it advises you to always use superunleaded, but I have asked the salesman and he said you can use ordinary, go figure!
So that is probably why there is no European additive advice as it is already added to the fuel over here anyway.
Hope this helps.
El

jefferios · 01-17-2009, 01:19 PM

Whats wrong with putting some Dawn dish detergent into the gas tank??? That will make the engine sparkling clean...with a fresh apple or lemon scent!

bigcritter · 01-17-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefferios

Whats wrong with putting some Dawn dish detergent into the gas tank??? That will make the engine sparkling clean...with a fresh apple or lemon scent!

Maybe the apple Dawn! You SAVE the lemon stuff for lemonade!! :>)
YUMMM!!

jediknight36 · 01-17-2009, 01:55 PM

This leads me to a question i had posted months ago: Is there anything a person can do who has no choice buy to buy Gasoline with 10% ethanol in it? I use Chevron that has the same amount of Techron in all three of its choices (Texico has merged, so they have it too). Sure, it will keep the engine clean, but is there anything I can add to cut back on the MPG robbing ethanol?