Liqui Moly: how additives can help cut costs
Diesel injection ports before and after Super Diesel Additive is applied
While additives initially represent an additional cost factor, fleet operators can save a lot of money in the longer term by using such chemical tools, according to German-based provider Liqui Moly, which has more than 60 years’ experience of producing additives.
Additives are certainly not miracle-workers, says the firm: they cannot halve fuel consumption or make an engine ten years younger, and manufacturers making this kind of claim can’t really be taken seriously.
However, says the company, additives are useful chemical tools that when used correctly, can help reduce operating costs and avoid unexpected breakdowns within a fleet.
One example of Liqui Moly’s products is the Super Diesel Additive, which cleans the injection system, removes deposits on the sensitive injectors and prevents new ones from forming. The fuel is then finely atomised again and burns particularly efficiently, says the company.
Secondly, it lubricates the injectors, thereby increasing their service life. Thirdly, it increases the cetan number; this improves the ignition properties of the fuel, so the engine runs more quietly and economically. Fourthly, it protects the entire fuel system from corrosion.
Customers include Dirk Sauer, who runs a shipping agency in Germany. His trucks already run on Liqui Moly engine oil, so he wanted to test the Super Diesel Additive.
For this purpose, he chose the stationary Volvo truck engines that power his block-type thermal power station. These engines sometimes run for 24 hours at a stretch at maximum load.
“We were able to reduce consumption from 75 litre to 72 litres per hour,” said Dirk Sauer. “This alone saves us about 2,160 litres of fuel per month. It’s good for our budget – and good for the environment, too.”
The second effect in terms of savings is the reduction in maintenance costs and downtime.
“Previously, we had to replace the expensive injectors every year due to the high loads,” Dirk Sauer continued.
“Since we started using Liqui Moly, we’ve had no damage or malfunction in the injectors at all.”
For fleet operators, Super Diesel Additives are also available in large containers – including drums of up to 205 litres – and in the form of a concentrate, too. This reduces costs per litre and makes the use of Super Diesel Additives particularly economical, says Liqui Moly.
It means customers can use the additive at their own filling stations, eliminating the need for cumbersome handling of the cans when refuelling and ensuring that every vehicle can benefit from the advantages the additive has to offer.
Also available from Liqui Moly is Engine Flush. This is added to the existing oil shortly before the oil change and the engine is run at idling speed for around 10 to 15 minutes.
During this time, the active ingredients dissolve deposits and contamination in the oil circuit, allowing them to be drained out simply with the oil. The fresh oil enters a clean engine and can then achieve maximum performance.
This prevents wear and slowly-developing engine problems, says Liqui Moly. Such treatment is particularly recommended for vehicles with a high mileage or problematic fuel quality.
The downside of increasingly efficient engines is the fact that they are more and more sensitive to contamination, the firm contends; even minor impairments can have a major impact.
“That’s why engine cleanliness is so important nowadays – and additives are the best choice,” the company says.
Liqui Moly provides a range of around 4,000 products including motor oils and additives, greases and pastes, sprays and vehicle care, glues and sealants.
