Sylvie Willis
It is technically possible to run a car on jet fuel, but it is not recommended. Jet fuel is a kerosene-based substance that lacks the lubricating properties of diesel fuel, which can cause increased wear on fuel pump seals and other engine components. Using jet fuel in a car can also result in legal repercussions, as it is considered waste fuel and is heavily taxed. Additionally, jet fuel may not be compatible with modern car engines, which are designed to run on gasoline with specific octane ratings and are sensitive to impurities in the fuel. Overall, while it is possible to run a car on jet fuel, it is not a practical or sustainable solution and may lead to engine damage and legal issues.
Can you run a car on jet fuel?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a car run on jet fuel? | Yes, but it is not recommended and may be illegal in some places. |
| Engine damage | Jet fuel lacks lubricating properties, which can cause increased wear and damage to the engine over time. |
| Fuel pump seals | Using jet fuel can cause the car's fuel pump seals to wear out more quickly. |
| Performance | Jet fuel has about 40-50 octane in a gasoline engine, which will likely cause the engine to knock and run poorly, if at all. |
| Emissions | The lead in aviation gasoline can coat catalysts in the emissions system, causing them to stop functioning properly. |
| Cold weather | Jet fuel is not recommended for use in cold temperatures as it could cause a loss of power. |
| Legal issues | Using jet fuel in a car may result in legal repercussions, including confiscation of the vehicle, fines, and court appearances. |
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel in modern cars
Jet fuel is a kerosene-based substance. While it is possible to run a car on jet fuel, it is not recommended. Modern cars, in particular, are prone to problems when running on jet fuel. In a gasoline engine, jet fuel has about 40-50 octane, which will cause the engine to knock and run poorly, if at all. Modern diesels are susceptible to impurities in the fuel, and jet fuel lacks the lubricating properties of diesel, which can cause increased wear on the engine over time.
Some people have run their cars on JET-A1, a type of jet fuel. However, this is illegal and can result in confiscation of the car, a fine, and legal repercussions. Additionally, the car fuel pump seals will wear out more quickly when using non-specific products like jet fuel.
Running a car on jet fuel can also cause problems with the fuel pump, especially in cold weather. In very cold temperatures, jet fuel could cause a loss of power. It is also important to note that while aviation gasoline (avgas) will not hurt a car engine, it will damage the emissions system. The lead in avgas coats the catalysts, stopping them from functioning properly.
Overall, while it is technically possible to run a modern car on jet fuel, it is not advisable due to the potential for engine damage, legal issues, and negative impacts on performance.
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Jet fuel in classic cars
Classic cars are rarely driven long distances, usually only travelling a few hundred metres at a time. This means that the fuel used in these cars does not need to be as stable as the fuel used in everyday vehicles.
Classic car owners have considered using aviation fuel (Avgas) in their vehicles. Avgas is a high-octane gasoline that is more resistant to detonating under pressure than regular car gasoline. Avgas is also more stable than road gas, which tends to turn into turpentine over time.
However, Avgas contains lead, which coats the catalysts in the emissions system and stops them from functioning properly. Leaded fuel is illegal to use on roads and is considered highly irresponsible.
Some piston-engine aircraft can run on automotive gas, but jet aircraft cannot. Jet fuel is a kerosene-based substance that has a cetane rating. In a gasoline engine, jet fuel has an octane rating of 40-50, which would cause the engine to knock and run poorly, if at all. Therefore, jet fuel is not suitable for classic cars.
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Legality of using jet fuel in cars
While there is no explicit global law against using jet fuel in cars, doing so is not recommended and may cause significant damage to your vehicle. Jet fuel is a kerosene-based substance, and while it is chemically similar to diesel, it contains less lubricating oil. It also has a much higher sulfur content than regular road transportation fuel, which can cause issues with modern engines.
In a gasoline engine, jet fuel has an octane rating of about 40-50, which will cause knocking and poor engine performance. In modern cars, jet fuel may even cause the engine not to run at all. Avgas, or aviation gasoline, is a high-octane fuel that will not harm your engine but will quickly damage your emissions system due to its lead content. This will render your catalytic converter useless, so if your car is older and does not have a catalytic converter, you can consider using avgas.
Some dirt track racers use avgas in their race cars to boost performance. Avgas covers a range of fuels designed for aviation use, with the most common grade for race cars being 115, which has a lower volatility than gasoline. This higher octane rating allows for higher dynamic compression ratios, resulting in increased engine performance. However, it is important to note that avgas is typically much more expensive than pump gas.
It is worth noting that once aircraft fuel is drained, it cannot be returned to the fuel truck or airplane and must be recycled. Therefore, obtaining jet fuel for your car may be challenging and could involve legal issues if not sourced properly.
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Lubrication issues with jet fuel
The use of jet fuel in automobiles has gained attention, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns resulted in a decreased demand for jet fuel. This prompted refiners to blend surplus jet fuel into automotive diesel fuel. However, this practice has highlighted some lubrication issues that need to be addressed.
Firstly, jet fuel is a kerosene-based substance, and increasing the kerosene content in automotive diesel fuel blends can impact diesel fuel lubricity requirements. Lubricity additives have been used in diesel fuels to reduce engine component wear and are now mandatory in most diesel fuels. The addition of jet fuel to diesel fuel may increase the need for cetane improver treatment, which, in turn, increases the lubricity severity of the final diesel fuel blend. Therefore, careful selection of lubricity additives is crucial to mitigate these issues.
Secondly, jet engine lubricants have evolved significantly since the jet age began in the late 1940s. The increasing fuel and turbine inlet temperatures in jet engines demanded more advanced lubricant chemistries. Synthetic lubricants, such as diester synthetics, became necessary to withstand the higher temperatures. Today, most jet engine lubricants are based on synthetic polyolesters, which offer superior thermal stability and oxidation resistance compared to petroleum-based oils.
Additionally, ester-based lubricants, commonly used in jet engines, are highly hygroscopic and prone to water contamination. Water contamination of ester fluids can lead to hydrolysis and the formation of acids, particularly in sealed systems. This is a constant challenge for the aviation lubrication industry, and ester-based lubricants must be carefully packaged and sealed to prevent water exposure.
In conclusion, while jet fuel can be blended into automotive diesel fuel, it has highlighted lubrication issues that require careful consideration. These issues include the impact on diesel fuel lubricity, the need for specific lubricity additives, and the challenges associated with ester-based lubricants used in jet engines. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure the safe and efficient use of jet fuel in automotive applications.
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Jet fuel vs. gasoline
While it is theoretically possible to run a car on jet fuel, it is not advisable to do so. Jet fuel and gasoline are similar but have different compositions, uses, and properties. Gasoline is primarily used in internal combustion engines of automobiles, motorcycles, and small engines like lawnmowers and generators. On the other hand, jet fuel, or aviation fuel, is specifically designed for use in aircraft.
Jet fuel and gasoline have different sources and compositions. Both jet fuel and gasoline are derived from crude oil refinement, but they differ in the types of hydrocarbon molecules they contain. Gasoline consists of hydrocarbons that contain anywhere from 7 to 11 carbon atoms with hydrogen molecules attached. Jet fuel, on the other hand, is typically made from kerosene, which has a lower freezing point, making it suitable for the low temperatures experienced during flight. Jet fuel also has a higher flash point, the lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture, making it safer and reducing the risk of accidental ignition.
In terms of performance and functionality, jet fuel and gasoline have different additives and are designed for different operating conditions. Gasoline typically includes additives like detergents, anti-knock agents, and antioxidants to improve engine performance and reduce emissions. Aviation fuel also contains additives, such as anti-icing agents, antioxidants, and static dissipaters, to enhance performance and ensure the safe operation of aircraft. Gasoline is formulated to perform efficiently at ground-level conditions, while aviation fuel is designed to perform under extreme conditions, including high altitudes, low temperatures, and varying pressures.
The handling and storage procedures for jet fuel and gasoline also differ due to their intended applications. Gasoline is more widely stored and handled, from large underground tanks at fuel stations to portable containers for small engines. The handling procedures for gasoline are generally less stringent than those for aviation fuel because of the less critical application environment of automobiles compared to aircraft. Aviation fuel requires meticulous handling and storage to prevent contamination and maintain quality. Strict regulations govern the storage, transportation, and refueling processes of aviation fuel to prevent accidents and ensure safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is technically possible to run a car on jet fuel, but it is not recommended. Jet fuel is kerosene-based and lacks the lubricating properties of diesel, which can cause increased wear on fuel pump seals and other engine components over time.
Running jet fuel in a modern car will likely cause it to run poorly or not at all. This is because jet fuel has a lower octane rating than gasoline, which can cause knocking in the engine.
While it is not explicitly illegal to use jet fuel in a car, doing so may result in legal repercussions. In the UK, for example, using jet fuel in a car may result in confiscation of the vehicle, fines, and legal action from the HMRC for tax evasion.
In addition to potential legal consequences, using jet fuel in a car can damage the engine and fuel system. It can also affect the emissions system, as the lead in jet fuel can coat the catalysts and impair their function.
Yes, there are alternatives to jet fuel that can be used in cars, such as biodiesel, which can be produced from crops, or aviation gasoline (avgas). However, avgas is more expensive than pump gas and can also impact the emissions system due to its high lead content.
