Sylvie Willis
The Trabant is a series of small cars produced from 1957 until 1991 by former East German car manufacturer VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. The Trabant 601, produced until 1990, had its fuel tank located on top of the engine. This was because the car did not have a fuel pump, so the fuel had to reach the carburettor by gravity. The fuel tank had a capacity of 24 litres and used a two-stroke two-cylinder engine, requiring a mix of gasoline and oil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of Fuel Tank | Above the engine |
| Reason for Location | Trabant had no fuel pump, so the fuel tank was placed above the engine to allow fuel to reach the carburettor by gravity |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 24 liters |
| Fuel Consumption | 7 L/100 km (40 mpg-imp; 34 mpg-US) |
| Fuel Type | Two-stroke engine, requiring a mix of gasoline and oil |
| Ratio of Gasoline to Oil | Optimum ratio of 97:3; adding more oil will reduce performance |
| Fuel Gauge | Not available in older models; a dipstick was used to check fuel levels |
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What You'll Learn
The fuel tank is located above the engine
The Trabant is a series of small cars produced from 1957 until 1991 by former East German car manufacturer VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. The fuel tank on a Trabant is located above the engine. This is because the Trabant did not have a fuel pump, so the fuel tank had to be above the engine to allow the fuel to reach the carburettor by gravity. This design increased the risk of fire in front-end accidents.
The Trabant's engine was a small two-stroke engine with two cylinders, which produced a smoky exhaust and was a significant source of air pollution. Its fuel consumption was 7 L/100 km (40 mpg-imp; 34 mpg-US). As the engine was two-stroke, oil had to be added to the fuel at a specific ratio of fuel to oil at each fill-up. The fuel tank on the Trabant has a capacity of 24 litres, and the fuel consumption is around 7.5 L/100 km of a two-stroke mix, giving the Trabant a range of 320 km.
The design of the Trabant remained largely unchanged from its introduction in the late 1950s until the last model was introduced in 1990. The location of the fuel tank above the engine was a feature of this consistent design. The Trabant became symbolic of the former East Germany's stagnant economy and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc due to its unchanged design over many years.
The process of filling the fuel tank on a Trabant involves adding oil and gasoline directly to the engine at the correct ratio. This is because the Trabant does not have a separate oil reservoir and fuel tank. The recommended ratio is 97% gasoline to 3% oil, and adding more oil can reduce performance. The fuel tank on the Trabant is removable, and the car has a plastic body mounted on a steel chassis.
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This is because the Trabant has no fuel pump
The Trabant is a series of small cars produced from 1957 to 1991 by the former East German car manufacturer VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. The name "Trabant" comes from the German word for "satellite" or "companion". The car's name was inspired by the Soviet Sputnik satellite. The Trabant became the most common automobile in East Germany and came to symbolise the country during the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
The Trabant had a two-stroke engine, which required oil to be added to the fuel tank at a specific ratio of fuel to oil at each fill-up. This is because the Trabant has no fuel pump; the fuel tank is located above the engine, and the oil and gasoline mixture needed to reach the carburettor by gravity. This design increased the risk of fire in front-end accidents.
The lack of a fuel pump also meant that earlier models of the Trabant had no fuel gauge. Instead, a dipstick was inserted into the tank to determine how much fuel remained. This was a manual process that required opening the gas tank to check the fuel level.
In addition to the unique fuel system, the Trabant had several other notable features. The car body panels were made from a cotton-based plastic called "Duroplast", which did not rust. The car was also front-wheel drive and used independent suspension, which was considered advanced when it was first introduced in the late 1950s. However, by the 1980s, these features were no longer considered as groundbreaking, and the Trabant was known for its smoky exhaust and poor fuel efficiency.
Despite its shortcomings, the Trabant gained a following among car tuning and rallying enthusiasts. It became symbolic of the former East Germany's stagnant economy and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. Today, older models of the Trabant are sought by collectors due to their low cost and the ease of importing antique cars.
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Oil must be added to the fuel tank at a 50:1 ratio
The Trabant is a series of small cars produced from 1957 until 1991 by former East German car manufacturer VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. The car was known for its two-stroke engine, which required a mixture of gasoline and oil to be added to the fuel tank. Due to the lack of a fuel pump, the fuel tank was positioned above the engine, allowing fuel to reach the carburettor via gravity. This design increased the risk of fire in front-end accidents.
The two-stroke engine in the Trabant required a specific fuel-to-oil ratio of 50:1, which equates to 50 parts gasoline to 1 part oil. This ratio is crucial for ensuring proper lubrication and combustion within the engine. Achieving the correct ratio is relatively simple, requiring individuals to multiply the litre amount by 2 and add a zero. For example, for every 2 litres of gasoline, you would add 100ml of oil.
When mixing oil and gasoline, it is essential to follow safety precautions. Always use an approved gasoline container, such as a No-Spill® fuel container, to reduce the risk of spillage, evaporation, and permeation. Additionally, choose a mid-grade unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 89 to prevent increasing engine temperatures, which could lead to piston seizure and engine damage.
Before mixing, it is recommended to read the product instruction manual for specific guidelines and additional information on fueling and fuel mixtures. Always pour the oil into the canister first, followed by the gasoline. Securely close the canister and shake it vigorously by hand to ensure a proper mix of oil and fuel. It is important to only mix sufficient fuel for a few days' work, as fuel storage should not exceed three months.
The 50:1 ratio is commonly used in two-stroke engines and is considered one of the easiest ratios to calculate. It is important to note that contemporary gas stations in countries where two-stroke engines are common may offer a premixed gas-oil mixture at the pump, eliminating the need for manual mixing.
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The tank has a capacity of 24 litres
The Trabant is a series of small cars produced from 1957 until 1991 by former East German car manufacturer VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. The car's name was inspired by the Soviet Sputnik satellite, with the German word "Trabant" meaning "satellite" or "companion". The Trabant became symbolic of the former East Germany's stagnant economy and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc.
The car's engine was a small two-stroke engine with two cylinders, accounting for its modest performance. Its curb weight was about 600 kg (1,323 lb). The engine produced a very smoky exhaust and was a significant source of air pollution. Its fuel consumption was 7 L/100 km (40 mpg-imp; 34 mpg-US).
The Trabant did not have a fuel pump, so the fuel tank was located above the engine, allowing fuel to reach the carburettor via gravity. This design increased the risk of fire in front-end accidents. The tank has a capacity of 24 litres. Due to the engine design, oil had to be added to the fuel tank at a 50:1 (or 33:1) ratio of fuel to oil at each fill-up. This was a unique feature that contributed to the Trabant's reputation as a "wonderfully terrible little car".
The 24-litre capacity of the fuel tank in the Trabant is a notable feature, as it is smaller than the fuel tanks of most other four-wheeled vehicles. This capacity allowed for a range of approximately 320 km, which was considered suitable for the car's intended use. The small fuel tank also contributed to the compact design of the Trabant, which was known for its small size, earning it the nickname "spark plug with a roof".
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The car has no separate oil reservoir
The Trabant, an iconic car from the former East Germany, is known for its unique features, including its fuel tank setup. Unlike many other cars, the Trabant does not have a separate oil reservoir. This is because the Trabant's engine is designed to be lubricated by a mixture of fuel and oil, known as a "two-stroke" engine.
In a two-stroke engine, the fuel and oil are mixed together in a specific ratio, typically ranging from 16:1 to 50:1, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations and the type of oil used. This mixture is then stored in the fuel tank, which is typically located at the rear of the car, just in front of the engine.
When the engine is running, the fuel-oil mixture is drawn from the tank and enters the cylinders, where combustion occurs. The oil in the mixture helps to lubricate the piston, crankshaft, and other moving parts of the engine, ensuring smooth operation and reducing wear and tear.
While the lack of a separate oil reservoir simplifies the design and maintenance of the Trabant, it's important to note that it also has some drawbacks. One of the main disadvantages is that the oil can burn and produce smoke during the combustion process, leading to increased emissions and a distinctive smell associated with two-stroke engines.
Additionally, the absence of a separate oil reservoir means that the engine's lubrication system is entirely dependent on the fuel-oil mixture. Therefore, it's crucial for Trabant owners to maintain the correct fuel-oil ratio and use the specified type of oil to ensure adequate lubrication and prevent engine damage.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tank on a Trabant is located above the engine.
The Trabant does not have a fuel pump, so the fuel tank is placed above the engine so that fuel can reach the carburettor via gravity.
The Trabant has a 24-litre fuel tank capacity.
