Today, if desired, it is possible to convert almost any make and model of car to run on gas. However, car owners who decide to install LPG face a lot of questions, the answers to which were provided by experts from the company “Vremya Gaza”.
The conversion of cars from the standard gasoline or diesel fuel system to gas fuel has been carried out for a quarter of a century, yet installing LPG remains relevant. It’s no wonder, as gasoline prices in Ukraine are approaching European levels, while gas remains at least twice as cheap. Those who are “in trend” and are going to convert their car to gas fuel will find useful information from experts in this segment – employees of the LPG installation station network “Vremya Gaza”.
What is LPG?
LPG is special liquefied petroleum gas equipment that is installed in a car and allows it to run on gas fuel: methane or a propane-butane mix. Installing LPG is a vehicle conversion; however, the operation of the regular fuel system is not disrupted: the engine continues to run on gasoline or diesel.
The standard LPG kit includes:
- electronic control unit (ECU);
- gas injectors;
- reducer;
- gas cylinder;
- gas level sensor.
LPG generations for cars
LPG equipment continuously evolves: at the moment, six generations of LPG have been developed. The first three generations of gas systems can be found only on older cars. This equipment lacks electronic gas injection control, injectors mechanically injected gas into the engine cylinders. Today such gas equipment is practically not installed on cars, except possibly LPG of the 2nd generation for carburetor engines of older cars.
The most popular is the 4th generation LPG, which is equipment with electronic “brains”, where electronics control the gas injection system. It operates on methane and propane-butane, alongside the gasoline fuel system. This is the optimal choice in terms of economy and reliability.
The most modern – gas equipment of the 5th and 6th generations. The innovations of these systems are the high-pressure pump and injectors, which allow not using gasoline before starting LPG. These generations are installed on the latest car models, but are less popular due to the high cost of the equipment.
What savings does LPG installation provide?
You will feel savings from the first gas refueling since the price difference between gas and gasoline is almost twofold. Even considering that an engine on LPG consumes more fuel, financial expenses on refueling the car decrease by 30–40%. LPG equipment pays off on average in 1–2 years, depending on monthly mileage, engine capacity, LPG generation.
However, it should be remembered that for maximum efficiency and economical operation of gas equipment, regular maintenances should be done. The initial check-up – after the first 10,000 km traveled with installed LPG, subsequently – every 100,000 km traveled. Scheduled service involves filter replacements, diagnostics, and adjustment of gas equipment.
Where to convert a car to gas?
Installing LPG on a car can be done in a specialized service. No preliminary preparation of the car is required before installing gas equipment. At the “Vremya Gaza” stations in Kyiv and the region, a turnkey car conversion service is offered: the car owner arrives at the service, leaves the car, and after 5–6 hours leaves in a car already filled with gas.
After installation, testing, and adjustment of LPG, the installer provides a package of documents needed for the vehicle’s registration with the MIA SC. A warranty for the installed equipment is also issued. The masters conduct a briefing on the operation of the LPG and answer all the car owner’s questions. The installation company further engages in the service maintenance of the liquefied petroleum gas equipment.