How Do Gasoline Additives Affect Performance?
For the past several years, federal law has required that all gasoline sold in the USA branded, unbranded, regular, mid-grade and super be treated with additives to keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean. The “LAC” or Lowest Additive Concentrate indicates the level at which a deposit control additive must be mixed with gasoline to meet the federal “keep clean” regulations. A majority of gasoline suppliers treat all their gasoline at a rate over the LAC to make sure that they always comply with federal law. Also, most major brand suppliers treat their gasoline with additive concentrations well over the LAC to enhance and value and performance of their gasoline. Treating at higher concentrations than the LAC can actually “clean up” deposits on injectors and intake valves as opposed to “keeping clean” components that are already clean. But, all additives are not the same. Most of these same major brand suppliers use additives based on poly butane amine chemistry or “PBA.” PBA additiv
