Buggeroff6

Hi
I'm not sure I'd save much $$, but with the cost of fuel going up the backside, is there any point of buying a case of "104 octane boost" for use with reg. gasoline? I wonder if it would be more economical. Don't start lecturing me about how "all gasolines aren't the same, brand wise", nor so-called additives put in hi-test..that's just marketing.

jimisbell

I agree, thats just marketing. Once watched three differeent brand name trucks fill up from the same storage tank. I was later told the companies add their own additives after all using the same gasoline.
But as to your question, I think the octane boosters are just snake oil. And these days with most cars having a knock detector that adjusts the ECM to the octane of the fuel, they wouldnt help even if they really worked.
Alcohol is added to fuel as an octane booster, increases the ignition point. All gasoline now has alcohol added. But increased octane does NOT buy you more BTUs (power) It just delays ignition to prevent knock.

oneround

Some octane boosters and some injector cleaners have a healthy quantity of Toluene. You can source that cheaper at most Ace Hardware stores. In terms of octane, it has a RON of 112 and a MON of 124.

I personally would probably step down to a mid-grade fuel if money got tight. Non-aggresive driving coupled with modern anti-knock sensors would likely be enough to prevent engine damage.