The pros and cons of octane boosters – Jalopnik

Octane numbers relate to the stability of fuel and determine at what pressure the fuel will spontaneously ignite. Engine knocking can happen if the octane rating is too low, which in the long run can lead to knocking noises, hesitations and even engine damage. This is where octane boosters can help because these liquid additives, when poured into your fuel tank, increase the octane number of gas so that it can burn more smoothly and also at the right time.

There are numerous benefits to using octane boosters, and perhaps the biggest of these is improved performance. High-performance engines thrive on, and usually need, high-octane fuel. When the correct fuel rating is used, whether through premium gas or octane boosters, everything from air induction to ignition timing falls into place. The difference is real, too: you should be able to notice restored horsepower, smoother acceleration, and more responsive throttle input. In addition to restoring lost performance, octane boosters also help prevent the aforementioned knocking and pinging, protecting the engine and extending its life.

The third advantage of octane boosters is that they also clean the inside of your engine. Over time, combustion chambers collect carbon deposits, and that can sap the engine’s power and efficiency. Some octane boosters address this by cleaning out those deposits and flushing connected fuel lines. That means fewer hiccups, better combustion and an engine that doesn’t feel sluggish. There is a fourth and final advantage: ease of use. For most products, all you need to do when refueling is pour the recommended amount into the tank and the booster will do the rest. Nice and simple, but there are also disadvantages to using octane boosters.

Now the downside: Octane boosters aren’t perfect. The biggest drawback to using them is that while they are affordable for most, they come with an additional cost. Driving a performance car is rarely cheap, so any additional costs are always negative, and adding such a car to every tank of fuel quickly adds up to the price. For drivers who fill up regularly, the costs can quickly overshadow the modest benefits.

Another issue is reliability, as not every octane booster will suit your car, and choosing the wrong one may mean little to no improvement. In the words of Dr. Carroll from the chemistry department at Indiana University Bloomington, octane boosters are like vitamins. He says, “They are at their best and most necessary when correcting a deficiency, but despite what some people think, huge doses of vitamins have not been shown to have a reliably large positive effect. Octane boosters are similar.” So choose the wrong octane booster, and it’s like taking a vitamin you don’t need: it’s just a cost with no real benefit.

Finally, your own expectations of the product may be the biggest drawback of all. Octane boosters are great for specific applications, such as keeping an older car designed for leaded gas running smoothly, or bridging the gap when your local pump doesn’t sell the octane your car needs. However, pouring a booster into your tank won’t fix a broken down old truck, or magically make your horsepower soar north. And if your car is already running smoothly on the recommended fuel, you may not notice any difference at all. In other words: the product excels under the right conditions, but is not a one-size-fits-all solution.