LPG: Tips for good maintenance of a gas car

There are best practices for the maintenance of all vehicles, including those that run on autogas, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

As a car workshop manager, you know that good vehicle maintenance is key to good performance and longevity.

When the first autogas car comes into the workshop for a repair, some mechanics show some hesitation. Fortunately, doing the maintenance of these vehicles is not a complicated procedure.

Find out how a LPG-powered car works, what precautions you should take and what kind of maintenance is essential for it to keep working properly.

 

How does the LPG-powered car work?

Liquefied petroleum gas, also known as LPG, is a mixture of propane and butane gases and it is an economical and ecological alternative to gasoline and diesel.

Cars that run on LPG are dual fuel, which means they have a dual carburetion system with two tanks: one for gasoline or diesel and the other for gas.

LPG vehicles work very similarly to gasoline powered vehicles with internal combustion engines. They have a check valve, a filling limiter, a flow limiter and a valve that guarantees their safety.

Around the world, there are millions of vehicles powered by LPG. It is a safe and economical fuel with simple maintenance requirements.

As a general rule, engines require less oil per volume than a diesel engine and do not require after-gas treatment systems, as the chemical properties of this fuel allow it to energize the engine while reducing emissions.

Still, there are some precautions that should be considered when servicing or repairing an autogas-powered vehicle. Among them are:

 

1. Assign specific parking places for LPG cars

This cars must be parked away from sources of heat or flames. It is also important that they are away from openings in the ground, such as drains and ditches.

Do not park vehicles leaking LPG inside your workshop or other building, as dangerous concentrations of vapor can build up.

Some specific work, such as removing LPG system components, must be carried out outdoors. Before doing so, disconnect the battery from the vehicle and flag the surrounding area as hazardous.

 

2. Properly identify the LPG-powered vehicles

Make sure LPG cars are properly identified inside your workshop.

Make sure you give your workers the proper tools and equipment to maintain these cars.

Make sure your employees wear appropriate protection equipment to prevent static electricity discharge, burns or other injuries.

A LPG-powered car, just like any other vehicle, requires regular maintenance so that it can remain fully operational and safe over time. For this to happen, it is important that you do some periodic maintenance on the vehicle, such as:

 

1. Oil change

On older engines or engines with a big mileage, it is not advisable to change the brand or type of oil, since such a change can accelerate engine wear.

If you cannot determine which lubricant to use, refer to the information in the manufacturer’s manual to avoid making any mistakes. It is always wise to choose the oil that meets the car manufacturer’s requirements.

 

Depending on the year of manufacture, some cars may require liquid, gas, or both.

Filter longevity is closely related to engine displacement – the larger the displacement, the greater the LPG consumption and the sooner the filters tend to wear out.

 

The sealing control of the LPG system must be done at least once a year.

This system can lose its sealing shape as a result of gas filter replacement, bodywork repairs, bumper replacement or other mechanical interventions performed by untrained technicians.

Make sure this test is carried out thoroughly.

The procedures described above are essential to keep the system operational and reliable for as long as possible. That said, it is worth carrying out them regularly, as each unexpected repair (usually the result of negligence and not reliability problems in the car itself) becomes more costly and time-consuming than a periodic inspection.