Even if the prices of cars are getting lower, one thing remains and it is very disturbing for the drivers: the price of fuel. So it’s no wonder more and more people are turning to LPG installations.
Here’s everything you need to know about using gas as a fuel for your car.
Why pay more for a liter of gasoline when you can go longer and pay less for a liter of gas? That’s the difference between gasoline and LPG. And whatever you do, no matter how you calculate it and no matter how you take it, the LPG installation is always a winner and saves you nice money. Especially if you are a driver who travels a lot.
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Does LPG increase consumption?
The question many drivers ask is whether you will have a higher gas consumption than gasoline. The answer is yes, but it differs from one car to another. It can be an extra 1 liter, it can be an extra 5 liters per 100 km traveled. However, because the price of gas is, in most cases, half the gasoline, it still benefits in any situation.
Does the gas affect the functioning of the engine?
Another question that drives the driver’s mind is whether the LPG damages the engine. The answer is NO. In the old days, when there were no injector installations, mounted on the old petrol cars, there is a legend that says the motor set changes more often.
But in reality, the new LPG sequential installations do not harm the engine at all. On the contrary, gas keeps the engine clean, with no deposits like the ones found on diesel or petrol cars.
The mentality that the LPG installation leads to premature engine wear is totally wrong. Studies have shown that LPG protects the engine more than gasoline due to near-complete combustion (99% versus 86% gasoline) and reduced emissions by 40-50% compared to the gasoline engine.
What is an LPG system made of?
An LPG system consists of a power supply device, a tank, a vaporizer reducer, an injection device and the computer that controls the entire power supply. Also important are the gas pipes that make the connection between the tank and the injectors. More details in this article
Are there any differences between expensive and cheap LPG installations?
Of course. As in any other field, LPG installations have good and less good products. A higher price for installation means that it is from a reputable manufacturer, which produces quality LPG installations, checked and with more rigorous quality control.
But a high price also means that the installation has better components that offer increased reliability. Therefore, a high price means a clear advantage package.
What does a sequential LPG installation mean?
It means an installation mounted in parallel with the supply of the car. The gas enters through independent injectors on each piston, controlled by a computer. The gas flow is optimized according to the needs of the engine.
What are the advantages of a sequential LPG installation?
Minimal power loss, precise gas metering, low pollutant emissions, safe operation, quiet engine operation, and increased autonomy. Specifically, all gas is used optimally, exactly as an electronic injection system, for low consumption and high performance.
Can LPG be mounted on a diesel car?
Yes, but it will have low efficiency. Because, unlike petrol engines that can run 100% on gas, diesel engines must run on a gas mixture with diesel. Which means we will have a lower fuel economy than petrol engines equipped with gas. In addition, the LPG installation for diesel cars is more expensive, which is why it is not worth it to be mounted on such engines.
Do LPG installations need special approval?
Besides the fact that the installations marketed today are approved and in compliance with the laws, after installation, some drivers have to approve the fresh LPG installations mounted on the car at the car register in their country. This usually consists of the fact that in the documents of the car it is mentioned the LPG installation.
Why are there big differences between LPG installations for 4-cylinder and those mounted on engines with more cylinders?
Cars with engines in 6, 8, 10 or 12 pistons need more special installations than those dedicated to 4-cylinder engines. They are installations designed to provide increased power, in line with that of the car, ie a high gas flow.
These installations are naturally more expensive because they will be fitted with a high flow vaporizer, a special control unit for a certain number of cylinders and more injectors are needed. In addition, we are talking about a longer assembly time.
How long does it take to install an LPG system in the car?
Generally, if there are no complications or unforeseen situations, the installation of an LPG is done in about 5-8 hours, depending on the number of cylinders. In addition to the installation, after that, some adjustments are made, which is why it takes about a whole day for a labor “by the book”.
Therefore, the customer must leave his car in service all day.
How often is the LPG installation revised?
Depending on the manufacturer of the installation, it must be checked every 10,000 or 15,000 kilometers (62000 – 93000 miles). The verification is done only in specialized service and involves a revision that costs between 100 and 200 $.
Do you need special engine oil and special LPG spark plugs?
Even if there are products on the market dedicated to a gas engine, we recommend that the engine works exactly with the products specified in the car’s manual. Special oils for LPG are, in general, a market ad, the advantages being difficult to prove compared to an ordinary oil. As for the spark plugs, they must be the factory model of the car, for the engine to run on gasoline and gas.
How safe is the LPG installation?
I have heard many stories, as the gas installation is dangerous. So wrong. First of all, if we look at a gas tank, it is made of extremely thick steel that also resists to a bullet. Everywhere there are sensors and valves with automatic shut-off, in case of a gas leak. Therefore, a car equipped with LPG is as safe as petrol or diesel engines.
The conclusions we can draw regarding LPG installations would be:
- an LPG installation does not decrease engine power (in theory it would be a 0.x% decrease, but this is not feasible);
- an LPG installation increases the consumption with values between 10% and 30% (many factors can influence these figures);
- the LPG system automatically passes on gas after the engine has reached a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, or 95 Fahrenheit (this is done in a few seconds in summer, in winter it can take 3-4 minutes);
- there is no engine oil with special additives for LPG. You can continue using the oil recommended by the car manufacturer;
- in the event of an accident, it is more likely that a petrol tank to explode than the LPG tank (this is to remove the myth that they are unstable and prone to explosions);
- the tank can be fully loaded up to 80% of capacity. The gas has a high degree of expansion, so it is necessary to have space in the tank to do this (especially in summer).
The disadvantages of using LPG would be:
- decreased autonomy;
- loss of space in the trunk (in addition to the spare wheel storage, a few cm of the height trunk is lost);
- you are not allowed to enter underground parking (as a recommendation).
photo by: 天然ガス, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
