Does octane booster additive really work as advertised?

Cyanfall · 07-25-2018, 10:40 AM

I just did some math.
Im living in Canada, assume 15 cents/L difference between 89 and 91 octane gasoline, 80 litres is 12 CDN.
A bottle of STP octane booster is 5.5 dollars, claimed to be able to treat 80L of gasoline. MotoMaster's is 7 CDN but still cheaper.
Could the octane booster do the job and save me some money?
Anyone has good experience or scientific test results about those booster additives?

Coercion Shaman · 07-25-2018, 10:52 AM

This is going to be just like the 89 Octane thread you were in that I presume led you to asking this.

Opinions and tests will vary wildly.

enjoythemusic · 07-25-2018, 12:06 PM

Can meets worms

Many gas companies also use a different 'add pack' to their higher grade products. Thus there's more benefit than just octane.

Sea-Tac · 07-25-2018, 05:09 PM

Minimal effect that you would probably never notice. Stay with a reputable brand of Top Tier hi octane gas and not worry about it.

EDWYER · 07-26-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea-Tac

Minimal effect that you would probably never notice. Stay with a reputable brand of Top Tier hi octane gas and not worry about it.

+1

Speedwell-Industries · 07-26-2018, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProjectBoost

+1

+2

BEAR-AvHistory · 07-26-2018, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea-Tac

Minimal effect that you would probably never notice. Stay with a reputable brand of Top Tier hi octane gas and not worry about it.

+3

JamesWWIII · 07-26-2018, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

+3

+4

jmg · 07-26-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesWWIII

+4

+5

lmao.its.me · 07-26-2018, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

+5

+6

uncleruckus · 07-26-2018, 04:18 PM

"Octane booster" as a generic category of products definitely works (e.g. adding 120 octane race fuel to 87 octane gas will boost the octane). However, the over the counter/generic "octane booster" products probably won't have a noticeable effect, unless added in mass quantities. Generally speaking, when they say it boosts it "10 points", it doesn't mean it boosts it from 87 to 97, rather it boosts it from 87 to 88 (as example).

Another words, you are better off getting top tier premium gas.

akgambino · 07-28-2018, 11:04 PM

Motomaster octane booster lol!
Get boostane it is proven and actually will increase octane unlike the crap listed in the OP

BEAR-AvHistory · 07-29-2018, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akgambino

Motomaster octane booster lol!
Get boostane it is proven and actually will increase octane unlike the crap listed in the OP

That has a major dose of MMT as an active ingredient. Phased out by the major oil companies as a problem with pollution control systems.

The following companies are not currently using MMT in US gasoline: Amerada Hess, Amoco, Arco, BP America, Chevron, CITGO, Clark, Conoco, Exxon, Marathon, Mobil, Pennzoil, Phillips, Shell (Equilon), Sun, Texaco, Unocal (Tosco).

The Afton Chemical Corporation changed its name from the Ethyl Corporation. They were the prime suppliers of the additive that made leaded gasoline.

Wonder why they changed a famous name they had for decades. Conection that "Ethyl" was the lead in gas?

chuckr · 08-20-2018, 03:41 PM

I run Royal Purple Octane Booster in my 320. I add about 1/4 bottle on fill up to off set the evils of Ethanol. I try and use no ethanol 91 octane gas. The additive should be giving me about 93 octane gas. Car loves it.... noticeable improvement in mileage. Last mileage test I did got me about 50 miles more per tank.

NavS · 08-20-2018, 04:07 PM

Man just stick that 93 in, pump it, and flip it to sport mode. We're never gonna save money.

Gen13 F36 · 08-20-2018, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavS

Man just stick that 93 in, pump it, and flip it to sport mode. We're never gonna save money.

Buy Race Gas

Or like the old days....I use Toluene... now I wonder if someone here use a mixture of toluene and premium gas.🤔

chuckr · 08-21-2018, 08:56 AM

Cannot get 93 non ethanol gas in Louisiana. Have you priced race gas lately ?

jd_perspective · 08-21-2018, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmao.its.me

+6

+7

aerostar · 08-21-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckr

I run Royal Purple Octane Booster in my 320. I add about 1/4 bottle on fill up to off set the evils of Ethanol. I try and use no ethanol 91 octane gas. The additive should be giving me about 93 octane gas. Car loves it.... noticeable improvement in mileage. Last mileage test I did got me about 50 miles more per tank.

Yeah, there's about a 0% chance this is true.

There's no way you're getting 50 miles more per tank just from octane booster.

You're either driving like a grandma when you're on the test day or you're lying.

XutvJet · 08-21-2018, 11:48 AM

Just an FYI, octane boosters typically say they'll raise the octane by X number of points. Do not be mislead. If the booster says a bottle will raise the octane of 20 gallons by 5 points, that means it will take 20 gallons of 91 octane to 91.5 octane, NOT 96 octane.

AngelFarelli · 12-28-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd_perspective

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmao.its.me

+6

+7

+8

deviantspeed · 12-28-2019, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelFarelli

+8

Eight point gain is nearly 0.8, so your 87 might become 87.8, and that might be per gallon, per bottle. So with 8 gallons of fuel, your $10 additive got you from 87 to 87.1. Congrats to all the squirrels you are killing, too.

Surprised nobody mentioned this snake tactic already.

07-25-2018, 10:40 AM	#1
Cyanfall Private First Class 42 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 2017 f32 440i coupe Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW F32 440 [0.00]	Does octane booster additive really work as advertised? I just did some math. Im living in Canada, assume 15 cents/L difference between 89 and 91 octane gasoline, 80 litres is 12 CDN. A bottle of STP octane booster is 5.5 dollars, claimed to be able to treat 80L of gasoline. MotoMaster's is 7 CDN but still cheaper. Could the octane booster do the job and save me some money? Anyone has good experience or scientific test results about those booster additives?
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07-25-2018, 10:52 AM	#2
Coercion Shaman Private First Class 48 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2019 Audi A5 Prestige S/B Join Date: May 2018 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	This is going to be just like the 89 Octane thread you were in that I presume led you to asking this. Opinions and tests will vary wildly. __________________ Also own: 2012 Z4 35is M Sport Adaptive (Atacama Yellow)
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07-25-2018, 12:06 PM	#3
enjoythemusic Captain 364 Rep 775 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 435i Dinan Stage 4 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Can meets worms Many gas companies also use a different 'add pack' to their higher grade products. Thus there's more benefit than just octane. __________________ Enjoy the Drive, Steven 2014 435i M-Opt, M LSD, Dinan CAI/IC/BTurbo/Stage 4, ER TIC/CP, GFB DV+, Fabspeed HJS cat DP & Mich PS4S.
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07-25-2018, 05:09 PM	#4
Sea-Tac Major 1453 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: 2108 X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 xDrive30i [0.00] 2016 328i xDrive [0.00]	Minimal effect that you would probably never notice. Stay with a reputable brand of Top Tier hi octane gas and not worry about it.
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07-26-2018, 04:18 PM	#11
uncleruckus no relation 130 Rep 442 Posts Drives: F30 328i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	"Octane booster" as a generic category of products definitely works (e.g. adding 120 octane race fuel to 87 octane gas will boost the octane). However, the over the counter/generic "octane booster" products probably won't have a noticeable effect, unless added in mass quantities. Generally speaking, when they say it boosts it "10 points", it doesn't mean it boosts it from 87 to 97, rather it boosts it from 87 to 88 (as example). Another words, you are better off getting top tier premium gas.
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07-28-2018, 11:04 PM	#12
akgambino Lieutenant 272 Rep 529 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 335xi M-Sport (PWG) Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Saskatchewan iTrader: (0)	Motomaster octane booster lol! Get boostane it is proven and actually will increase octane unlike the crap listed in the OP __________________ 2013 F30 335i xDrive M-Sport 6MT (FBO/BM3 custom tune by HCP, 91 oct, 550i clutch, xDelete)
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08-20-2018, 03:41 PM	#14
chuckr Enlisted Member 30 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2021 330i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Monroe Louisiana iTrader: (0)	I run Royal Purple Octane Booster in my 320. I add about 1/4 bottle on fill up to off set the evils of Ethanol. I try and use no ethanol 91 octane gas. The additive should be giving me about 93 octane gas. Car loves it.... noticeable improvement in mileage. Last mileage test I did got me about 50 miles more per tank.
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08-20-2018, 04:07 PM	#15
NavS Private 24 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2018 440i Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i [0.00] 2011 BMW 535i [0.00]	Man just stick that 93 in, pump it, and flip it to sport mode. We're never gonna save money.
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08-21-2018, 08:56 AM	#17
chuckr Enlisted Member 30 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2021 330i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Monroe Louisiana iTrader: (0)	Cannot get 93 non ethanol gas in Louisiana. Have you priced race gas lately ?
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08-21-2018, 11:48 AM	#20
XutvJet Major General 5540 Rep 5,366 Posts Drives: 2011 Cayman Base, 2016 M235 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (-1)	Just an FYI, octane boosters typically say they'll raise the octane by X number of points. Do not be mislead. If the booster says a bottle will raise the octane of 20 gallons by 5 points, that means it will take 20 gallons of 91 octane to 91.5 octane, NOT 96 octane. __________________ The forest was shrinking, but the Trees kept voting for the Axe, for the Axe was clever and convinced the Trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them.
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