Sylvie Willis
Aviation fuel is 100 octane leaded gasoline, which can run a car but will ruin its catalytic converter. Using standard car gas in an airplane, on the other hand, will likely cause detonation, where the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder explodes instead of combusting normally. This is because lower-octane fuels have lighter molecules that vaporize more easily and combust faster. Additionally, auto gas containing ethanol can damage an aircraft's engine unless the engine contains ethanol-tolerant parts.
What happens if you put airplane fuel in a car?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine failure | Unlikely to happen quickly, but could create issues down the line |
| Lubrication | Auto gas does not supply the engine with lubrication through lead, unlike 100LL aviation fuel |
| Detonation | Standard car gas will likely cause detonation as it vapourises more easily and combusts/detonates faster than higher octane aviation fuel |
| Anti-knock rating | The anti-knock rating needed depends on the engine, some may be compatible with highway ethanol, others with 100/130 or 100LL |
| Ethanol | Auto gas containing ethanol can damage aircraft engines unless the engine contains ethanol-tolerant parts |
| Seals and gaskets | Ethanol can damage seals and gaskets if the aircraft is left sitting for long periods, and it draws moisture out of the air which can affect performance |
| Catalytic converter | Avgas will ruin a car's catalytic converter |
| Cetane rating | Jet fuel, diesel, and kerosene have a cetane rating, while avgas has an octane rating |
| Legality | Using avgas in a road-going vehicle may require a waiver |
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What You'll Learn
- Aviation fuel will run a car but will ruin its catalytic converter
- Using standard car gas in an airplane will likely cause detonation
- Auto gas with ethanol can damage an aircraft's engine
- Aviation fuel is more resistant to detonation than car gas
- Using auto gas in an aircraft may void the manufacturer's warranty
Aviation fuel will run a car but will ruin its catalytic converter
Aviation fuel is 100 octane leaded gasoline, which is also known as AvGas. It is more resistant to detonation under pressure than regular car gasoline and has a higher octane number, which means that it will combust faster. AvGas is more volatile than jet fuel and has a higher resistance to knocking and pre-ignition.
AvGas will run a car but will ruin its catalytic converter. The lead in AvGas will damage the sensors and catalytic converters in many engines designed for unleaded fuel. This is due to the micro-welding under heavy load which results in the accelerated erosion of the valve seats, and the lead creates a protective coating to prevent this. However, this same coating will damage the sensors and catalytic converters.
Older cars without catalytic converters can use AvGas. One mechanic reportedly ran a diesel car with half a tank of diesel and half jet-a, while another ran a 1967 Chevy with aviation fuel.
It is important to note that the octane rating for aviation gas is not directly comparable to the octane rating for car gas. The octane number is measured by running a specialized piston engine on the gas and increasing the compression ratio until knocking occurs. This compression ratio is then compared to a reference fuel. As the Standard Test Engine is different for aviation and car gas, the octane numbers are not directly comparable.
Additionally, auto gas that contains ethanol can damage aircraft engines unless the engine contains ethanol-tolerant parts. Ethanol draws moisture out of the air and pulls it into the gas, so it can cause issues in humid environments and lead to engine failure if the aircraft sits for too long.
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Using standard car gas in an airplane will likely cause detonation
Using standard automobile gas in an airplane will likely cause detonation. This is due to the fact that standard automobile gas has a lower octane rating than aviation fuel. Octane ratings are a measure of a fuel's ability to resist "knocking" or pre-ignition when compressed in an engine. Because aviation engines typically operate at higher compression ratios than automobile engines, they require fuel with a higher octane rating to prevent detonation.
Standard automobile gas typically has an octane rating of 87, while aviation fuel (AvGas) has an octane rating of 100 or higher. This higher octane rating makes AvGas more resistant to detonation under pressure than regular car gasoline. The lower octane rating of standard automobile gas means that it will vaporize more easily and combust faster, leading to the potential for detonation in an aviation engine.
Additionally, the use of automobile gas in an airplane can have other negative consequences. Automobile gas often contains ethanol, which can damage the seals and gaskets in an aircraft engine if the plane sits for extended periods. Ethanol also absorbs moisture from the air, which can cause issues with starting and running the engine. Furthermore, the use of automobile gas may void the manufacturer's warranty for the aircraft.
It is worth noting that some aircraft engines are certified to run on automobile gas, but this requires obtaining an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) and making alterations to the fuel system, such as using different seals or a different fuel pump. However, even with these modifications, there is still a risk of adverse reactions, such as detonation or vapor lock.
In conclusion, using standard automobile gas in an airplane is not recommended due to the risk of detonation and other potential issues. While it may be tempting to use cheaper automobile gas instead of expensive aviation fuel, the consequences could be severe and costly in the long run.
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Auto gas with ethanol can damage an aircraft's engine
The seals and materials of an airplane's fuel system may not be compatible with the ethanol formula. Ethanol can also cause moisture problems, reducing the storage life of the fuel and leading to the formation of gums and gunk. Additionally, ethanol is highly correlated with metal corrosion of fuel system parts during storage.
Another issue with using auto gas with ethanol in aircraft is the low energy density of ethanol. It has only 60% of the energy content per mass unit of Jet-A fuel, which means that more fuel would be needed to generate the same amount of energy. This would increase the weight of the aircraft and reduce its payload capacity.
To avoid potential damage to aircraft engines, it is recommended to use airports that market auto gas or unleaded 94 octane fuel. If buying auto gas off-site, it is important to test every batch for ethanol content, even if it is marked as ethanol-free.
While auto gas with ethanol can damage an aircraft's engine, it is important to note that aircraft engines are designed to operate on a specific type of fuel, and using the wrong type of fuel can lead to engine problems and even damage. It is always best to consult the aircraft's manual or a qualified technician to determine the appropriate type of fuel for a particular aircraft.
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Aviation fuel is more resistant to detonation than car gas
Aviation fuel and car gas are fundamentally different. Aviation fuel, or AvGas, is a high-octane fuel that contains tetraethyl lead (TEL) to improve engine component lubrication and boost its octane rating. The octane rating of a fuel is a measure of its resistance to detonation, also known as "knock" in automotive engines. Detonation occurs when the fuel ignites spontaneously under compression before the normal firing of the spark plug.
The high octane rating of aviation fuel is necessary due to the extreme operating pressures and temperatures that aviation piston engines are designed for. Aviation engines are designed to operate at or above 75% maximum continuous power throughout their entire lifecycle, without the aid of electronic controls. This means that aviation fuel needs to be more resistant to detonation than car gas.
The difference in octane ratings between aviation fuel and car gas can be attributed to the different methods of calculating the octane number. The octane number of aviation fuel is measured using a specialized piston engine, while the octane number of car gas is calculated using the standard test engine. As a result, the octane numbers of the two fuels are not directly comparable.
While it is possible to use aviation fuel in a car, it is not recommended as it can cause damage to the catalytic converter and other components. Additionally, aviation fuel is more expensive and harder to obtain than car gas.
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Using auto gas in an aircraft may void the manufacturer's warranty
Additionally, the seals and materials used in aircraft fuel systems may not be compatible with the ethanol formula commonly found in car gas. Ethanol can cause moisture problems, reduce storage life, and lead to the formation of gums and gunk during storage. It is also correlated with metal corrosion of fuel system parts. These issues can cause damage to the aircraft engine, which may not be covered under the manufacturer's warranty.
Furthermore, the use of auto gas in an aircraft may be considered "misuse" or "abuse" of the vehicle, which is often listed as a reason for voiding warranties. Aircraft engines are designed to run on specific types of fuel, and using car gas may be interpreted as operating the vehicle outside of its typical use. This could lead to warranty administrators denying claims for repairs or replacements.
It is worth noting that the specific terms and conditions of warranties can vary, and it is important to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to understand the specific circumstances under which the warranty may be voided. However, in general, using auto gas in an aircraft can increase the risk of engine damage and may void the manufacturer's warranty.
To avoid voiding the warranty and potential engine damage, it is recommended to use the type of fuel specified by the aircraft manufacturer and to follow the maintenance guidelines provided.
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Frequently asked questions
Airplane fuel will run in a car and is very similar to diesel, but it will ruin the catalytic converter. If your car is older and doesn't have a catalytic converter, you can use airplane fuel.
Airplane fuel, or AvGas, is 100 octane leaded gasoline. It is more resistant to detonation under pressure than regular car gasoline.
Airplane fuel has a higher octane rating than car fuel. Car fuel has a lower octane rating, which leads to lower compression.
Ethanol in car fuel can have a damaging effect on an airplane unless the engine contains ethanol-tolerant parts. The seals and gaskets can be damaged if the plane is left sitting for more than 10 days.
Airplane fuel can be used in older diesel cars, which are more resilient to wear and tear. Modern diesel cars are more susceptible to impurities in the fuel and may experience problems with fuel pumps.
