Despite the risks, the use of cooking gas as fuel in cars is still a reality in Brazil. Find out why this practice can be extremely dangerous.
With the constant increase in fuel prices, some people have resorted to questionable practices in an attempt to save fuel. One of these is the clandestine installation of cooking gas (LPG) cylinders in their cars.
Although the National Traffic Council (Contran) prohibits this practice Since 1986, there are still those who take the risk, motivated by the lower cost of LPG compared to gasoline or ethanol.
Contran Resolution 673 defines the use of LPG as a serious infraction, punishable by 5 points on the driver's license, a fine of R$195,23 and seizure of the vehicle.
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Still, conversion kits are widely sold on online platforms for between R$500 and R$1.000. However, the risks are alarming, ranging from serious accidents to permanent damage to the vehicle.
Why is LPG not safe for cars?
Liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, is a compound derived from butane and propane, different from CNG (natural gas for vehicles).
While CNG is designed for vehicles, LPG is not. The use of this fuel poses significant technical and safety challenges. For example, the typical gas cylinder is designed to remain stationary, not to withstand constant vibrations and movements in a vehicle.
Clandestine installations, often made by hand, use inadequate parts, such as improvised hoses and connections adapted from forklifts. The result is a system that is highly vulnerable to leaks and explosions.
Furthermore, the lack of safety standards increases the risks, exposing drivers and passengers to constant dangers.
Vehicle damage: hidden cost of the economy
In addition to the obvious dangers, adapting to LPG seriously compromises the vehicle's mechanics. Engines designed for gasoline, ethanol or natural gas do not have the compression ratio required to run on LPG, resulting in loss of power and increased wear on parts.
Components such as spark plugs and ignition cables have their useful life reduced by half, from around 30 km to just 15 km, according to experts.
The cylinder head is also particularly vulnerable and can crack due to the irregular pressure generated by the use of gas. Valve problems, such as sticking and accelerated wear, are common, since LPG does not offer lubrication like liquid fuels.
Improvised installation of gas cylinders also affects the resale value of the car. Drilling holes made to fix the gas cylinders and other unauthorized modifications devalue the vehicle. Not to mention the loss of space in the trunk or cargo area, where the gas cylinder is usually placed.
History and legal status of LPG
The practice of using LPG in vehicles is not new. During the 1980s, especially in peripheral communities, it was common to find cars adapted to run on cooking gas, even though it was prohibited.
In 1991, the use was officially classified as “crime against the economic order“, in a period of instability in the global oil market, aggravated by the Gulf War.
Despite this, there are efforts to regulate the use of LPG in vehicles. In 2019, Bill 4217 was introduced in the Chamber of Deputies, proposing the authorization of cooking gas in various engines. The bill has already been approved by the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) and is awaiting a vote in the Plenary.
Savings that can be expensive
Until regulation is implemented, the practice remains illegal and risky. LPG is a seemingly cheap solution, but it hides high costs, whether due to the reduction in engine life or safety risks.
Furthermore, the environmental impact of LPG should not be ignored either. Although it is cleaner than gasoline or diesel in terms of emissions, its production and transportation still generate significant impacts.
Using LPG in vehicles is a choice that, although it may seem advantageous at first glance, can bring considerable losses. Between the mechanical risks and safety issues, the initial savings can quickly turn into a bigger problem. For those looking for economical alternatives, investing in legal solutions, such as converting to CNG, is always the best option.
Drivers need to be aware of the consequences before giving in to the temptation to save money at any cost. After all, the price of a poorly planned decision can be high, both for their wallet and for their safety.
Let's go. LPG works at lower pressure than natural gas, causing less damage to the engine compared to natural gas. Cars in Europe use LPG gas in their vehicles, and some manufacturers already install the LPG gas kit at the factory, and have a cylinder head lubrication system to solve this problem. I suggest you do some research before publishing an article like this full of untruths. The problem with LPG here in Brazil is that it is illegal, it can be stored in an inappropriate cylinder and, worst of all, someone wants to fill up LPG with natural gas in an LPG cylinder, which will explode due to the difference in pressure between the two cylinders and become liquefied.