You may have come across the saying that the impact of Coke on car engines can make fuel last by 50 percent longer. Pour a two-liter bottle and voila your car will gain points in feel, look, horsepower, and even be able to clean its engine! If you have started to think by now, “This sounds too good to be true”, that’s because it essentially is. This urban legend has less science and more fiction backing it up.
This story or myth has been thrown around since forever ago and is often paired with a distant relative who tried adding coke in their car engine once and got amazing results. However, one should not take a step that may seem even remotely dangerous to your car’s internal systems without researching it properly so let’s find out if pouring Coke in Car Engine gives your car the sugar rush you are expecting.
The Science Behind Adding Coke In Your Fuel System
To start off, we must discuss the chemical makeup of coke and fuel and then find out whether they would combine together in harmony or not. The main ingredients in Coke are carbon dioxide, phosphoric acid, sugar syrup, food coloring, and other additives. On the other hand, fuel or gasoline are a combination of hydrocarbons that are composed to power your car linearly and keep your engine functioning.
Now although the mixing of the two inside your fuel tank may entice a child-like wonder in your mind, rest assured that your fuel system was not designed to handle any ingredients other than gasoline or diesel. Once the coke enters the fuel system it will be combusted and the sugary substance will be leading to a sticky situation, literally!
What Will Happen When Coke Is Added To Your Tank
Sugar and Fuel Never Mix:
While there may be myths saying that coke sugar can caramelize and lead to your car engine being choked up, the reality is not too far off. Sugar and fuel particles do not mix and the sugar builds up a blockage the same way sand particles would. The engine, fuel injectors, and fuel filters can get choked up leading them to stop functioning.
Acidic Corrosion:
The Phosphoric acid present in coke is a corrosive ingredient that can chip away at the internal systems of your car. This effect can be highly hazardous because acid on metal has the exact reaction that comes to your mind.
Engine Failure:
This should not come as a surprise that Coke is one of the Worst Liquids to Put in Car Gas Tank. The only liquids meant to enter your car’s fuel system are gasoline and diesel; adding anything other than that can be detrimental to your car’s health and in turn to your safety. Gasoline is devised in such a way that it burns at an efficient rate suitable to your car’s engine, and any other liquid mixing with it can cause your engine to function erratically and unevenly, potentially leading to a dangerous situation on the roads.
Costs of Fixtures:
Once the damage is done, it truly takes a lot to undo it. Cleaning out coke in the fuel tank and car engine, especially with sugar particles in it, is no easy or simple task. Some of your car parts may get so affected that they need to be replaced. Hence, if you do not want to spend tons of money at your local mechanic shop, it’s best to put the Coke bottle back in the fridge.
Hence, it is always advised to just stick to fuel, and if you are to hear of any hack relating to your car, make sure to research it well to avoid any trouble in the future. SAT Japan understands the responsibility of not just selling used cars, but also maintaining them; hence, the tips above will help you understand the reason coke can be harmful to your car engine.
FAQs
What should I do if I accidentally put coke in my car engine?
Firstly, do not panic and turn your car off immediately. Do not start your engine again because the fuel system is likely plugged up from the sugar in the Coke. The best-case scenario is that there is minimal damage to the inside of your car and you need to have your fuel tank fully drained by your mechanic.
How much coke would it take for the engine to malfunction?
Even minimal amounts of sugar entering your engine can be hazardous and can lead to a large bill cost at the mechanics.
What about other types of sodas?
It does not matter whichever flavor of beverage you add to your gas tank, adding anything other than gasoline or petrol will cause damage to the inner workings of your car. If you are looking for a drink of choice for your car, keep it to diesel only.
What else can be poured into your tank for a quick fix?
There are fuel additives available that target the fuels in your engine system to clean it of any impurities and improve your fuel efficiency. If you are to take the risk of mixing anything into your engine, make sure it is these specifically designed additives instead of any random substances.