Mercedes Mullins
Aviation fuel, or jet fuel, is a powerful fuel that is very similar to kerosene but with added anti-static agents and other additives. It is possible to run a car on jet fuel, however, it is not recommended as it will likely cause the engine to knock and run poorly, or not run at all. Aviation gasoline, or avgas, is a high-octane fuel that can be used in cars without causing damage to the engine, but it will hurt your emissions system. It is also much more expensive than pump gas.
Can you run a car on aviation fuel?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility | Yes, it is possible to run a car on aviation fuel. However, it is not recommended as it may cause the engine to run poorly or not at all. Aviation fuel has about 40-50 octane in a gasoline engine, which can cause knocking and poor performance. |
| Fuel type | Aviation fuel, or jet fuel, is similar to kerosene but with additives such as an anti-static agent. Commercial aviation fuel (Jet A/A-1) has a high sulfur content (400-800 ppm) compared to US road transportation fuel (<15 ppm). |
| Engine compatibility | Aviation fuel may work in older diesel engines, which are more resilient. However, modern diesel engines may not be compatible due to their complexity and sensitivity to fuel requirements. |
| Emissions | Using aviation fuel in a car will likely affect the emissions system negatively. |
| Cost | Aviation gasoline (avgas) is significantly more expensive than pump gas. |
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel is similar to kerosene but with additives
Jet fuel and kerosene are chemically similar, but jet fuel is specifically formulated for use in jet engines. Kerosene is a general term used to describe many different types of fuel with different applications.
Kerosene is used to power some types of aircraft tugs and pushback tractors, while jet fuel is used for jet engines. Jet fuel is derived from crude oil and was first formulated during World War II. It is designed for jet engines operating at high speeds and altitudes. Jet fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline, and it burns more slowly and relatively coolly, making it safer to use.
Kerosene, on the other hand, is used in lanterns and space heaters and rarely has to deal with sub-zero temperatures. It has a higher flash point than jet fuel, which is the temperature the fuel needs to be at to ignite when exposed to a flame or spark. Jet fuel's lower flash point reduces the risk of accidental ignition during refueling and other aircraft operations, making it safer than kerosene.
The key difference between jet fuel and kerosene lies in their additives. Jet fuel contains additives such as anti-static and de-icing agents, corrosion inhibitors, and antioxidants, which enhance its safety and performance. These additives prevent ice build-up, fuel tank corrosion, and static electricity discharge during flight.
The additives in jet fuel also ensure that it conforms to global standards, so jet fuel purchased anywhere in the world will have the same characteristics. This reliability and consistency are crucial for aircraft operations, ensuring that all aircraft, regardless of type or location, can rely on the same fuel source.
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Jet fuel has a higher sulphur content than road transportation fuel
The higher sulphur content in jet fuel provides better lubricity, and it does not currently require a lubricity additive as all pipeline diesel fuels do. However, the use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) in pipeline diesel has led to the need for lubricity modifiers. Before the introduction of ULSD, pipeline diesel could contain up to 500 ppm of sulphur and was known as Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD).
The higher sulphur content in jet fuel has been a subject of concern due to its environmental and health impacts. Aircraft emissions can reduce air quality and have adverse health effects, including an increased risk of premature mortality. To mitigate these health impacts, the use of desulfurized jet fuel has been proposed, similar to the approach taken for road transportation in many jurisdictions.
Transitioning to ultra-low sulphur jet fuel is estimated to increase the cost of jet fuel by 1.6-6.6 ¢/gal, or just over a 1% increase in the cost of a gallon at 2011 prices. While this transition may lead to a slight increase in CO2 emissions due to the process of desulfurization, it is expected to have a net positive impact on the environment and public health. Modeling has shown that aircraft sulfates contribute to warming, and reducing sulfate emissions through the use of low-sulphur jet fuel is projected to prevent 1000-4000 premature mortalities per year globally.
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Jet fuel has 40-50 octane in a gasoline engine
Jet fuel, or aviation turbine fuel (ATF), is a type of aviation fuel designed for aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is a mixture of various hydrocarbons, including alkanes, naphthenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons, and its appearance is typically colorless to straw-colored. The most common types of jet fuel are Jet A and Jet A-1, which are used in commercial aviation and produced according to international specifications. Jet B is another variety used for its improved performance in cold weather.
While jet fuel is designed for aircraft, the question arises as to whether it can be used in a gasoline engine. In a gasoline engine, jet fuel or ATF has an octane rating of approximately 40-50. An octane rating represents the fuel's resistance to spontaneous detonation, with higher octane ratings indicating greater resistance. However, higher octane ratings do not equate to higher power or performance in engines not designed for such fuel.
When jet fuel with 40-50 octane is used in a modern car with a gasoline engine, it is likely to perform poorly or not run at all. This is because the octane rating of traditional unleaded gasoline for cars is typically 87 in the United States. The higher octane rating of jet fuel is intended for the higher operating temperatures within aircraft engines, where it prevents pre-combustion and misfiring.
Additionally, using jet fuel in a car's engine can have detrimental effects on the emissions system due to the presence of lead in aviation gasoline, which coats the catalysts and impairs their function. Therefore, while it may be theoretically possible to use jet fuel in a gasoline engine, it is not recommended due to the potential damage it can cause to the engine and emissions system, as well as the higher cost of aviation gasoline compared to pump gas.
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Aviation gasoline has very high octane
Aviation gasoline, or avgas, has a range of octane ratings, the most common of which is 100 octane. This is significantly higher than the 87 octane standard for North American automobiles today. The high octane rating of avgas allows aircraft engines to run at higher compression ratios. The higher the octane rating, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating. This is important for aircraft engines, which require high power to propel heavy aircraft.
The high octane rating of avgas is achieved through the use of tetraethyl lead (TEL) additives. TEL boosts the octane rating of the fuel and helps to prevent engine knocking (premature detonation). TEL also acts as a lubricant for the engine, reducing valve wear damage. While TEL was once a common additive in all gasoline engines, it has been phased out of automotive gas due to its toxic lead content and adverse health and environmental effects.
Leaded avgas is still in use due to the durability and performance of high-octane fuel in aircraft engines and the lack of a suitable alternative. Avgas is specifically designed to meet the unique demands of aviation, and the alloys used in aviation engine construction are chosen for their synergistic relationship with lead. However, leaded avgas is not compatible with modern car components, and using it in a car engine would ruin parts such as the catalytic converter.
While avgas has a high octane rating, it is not suitable for use in modern car engines due to the presence of lead additives. The use of leaded fuel in automobiles has been discontinued in favour of unleaded fuel and catalytic converters for pollution reduction. Automotive gasoline may be used in some aircraft engines, but modifications are often necessary, and engine wear is a potential problem.
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Aviation gasoline will hurt your emissions system
In addition, aviation gasoline contains lead, which has been shown to cause or contribute to air pollution. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that lead emissions from aircraft engines are a source of dangerous lead air pollution, with communities near general aviation airports experiencing disproportionate exposure to lead. While jet aircraft used for commercial transport do not operate on leaded fuel, small piston-engine aircraft carrying 2-10 passengers typically use leaded aviation gasoline. These aircraft are, on average, 45 to 47 years old.
To address the issue of lead emissions from aviation gasoline, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the industry have announced the "Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions" (EAGLE) program, which aims to achieve a lead-free aviation system by 2030. As part of this program, the FAA has approved the use of unleaded fuels, such as G100UL and UL94, which can be used by piston-engine aircraft. However, these unleaded fuels are not yet widely available, and the use of leaded aviation fuel is still prevalent, particularly at general aviation airports.
Therefore, using aviation gasoline in a car is not advisable as it can damage the emissions system due to its high sulfur content and contribute to lead pollution, posing risks to nearby communities. It is important to use the correct type of fuel recommended for your vehicle to ensure optimal performance and minimize negative environmental impacts.
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Frequently asked questions
Aviation fuel is very similar to kerosene but with an anti-static additive and other additional components. In a gasoline engine, jet fuel has about 40-50 octane, so it will likely make your car run poorly or not at all. Therefore, it is not recommended to use aviation fuel in a car.
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is the same as kerosene. Commercial aviation fuel (Jet A/A-1) contains sulfur at concentrations of 400-800 ppm. In comparison, US road transportation fuel has an ultra-low sulfur standard of 15 ppm, which is about 97% less than jet fuel.
Saab developed an engine in the 1970s that could run on kerosene. Some Valmet tractors and small Finnish engines can also run on aviation fuel.
Yes, jet fuel is a type of aviation fuel, also known as Aviation Turbine Fuel or ATF.
