Why do diesel engines get better fuel mileage?
The diesel cycle is inherently more efficient than the “Otto” cycle used in gasoline engines. Diesel fuel is also heavier and contains more energy. But diesel engines do not accelerate well, are extremely noisy and pollute more. Those conditions are quickly changing as government regulations will soon force diesel engines to run almost as clean as current gas engines. My grandfather says he put mothballs in his gas tank to make his car run faster. Does that trick still work? No. It’s true that gasoline formulas in the ‘40s retained some oxygen when mothballs were dissolved in the tank. This additional oxygen might have compensated for a rich fuel condition in the engine and improved performance. Today’s fuels and engine-management systems are so sophisticated that mothballs will not make any difference, except possibly to clog up filters. Should I use over-the-counter additives? Gasoline already has a high dose of chemical additives to keep fuel injectors and valves clean under most dr
