I just got my X3 from BamaChips today and I was just wondering, is it ok to use a higher octane fuel than 93?? Only reason I'm wondering is because I use a 108 octane booster additive and its in the tank now! Will it make a difference or not!??

 

I'm no expert, but I believe the only problem will/would be is if u use less of an octane for a higher octane tune.

 

yes its ok to run a higher octane. I run 94 octane with my 93 race tune. I have also on occassion advanced my timing a degree or 2 in order juice that little extra out of the octane. Not neccessay but more power is always better. Just make sure to listen for pinging if you do advance the timing

 

Why are you running the octane booster? If you already have 93 in the tank, the octane booster will not help you make any more power. It may in fact hurt the spark plugs, and is unnecessary in almost all applications.

 

I'm not running it with 93+OctBst. I put in regular to save a little money at the pump and then add in the octbst. !Thanks for the info guys!

 

How much is a can of the octane boost? How much do you figure you are saving? I saw some at Wal-Mart yesterday for $5 a can, and you use one can per tank. $.30 extra per gallon for premium X 14 gallons = $4.20.

 

Yeah Octane boost almost never boost more then 1 or 2 points max. Just buying the fuel is better.

 

No you don't. What you have now is around 89 Octane at the most, and after a short while, you'll need new plugs.

DO NOT USE COMMERCIAL OCTANE BOOSTERS

Hey, I did the same thing a couple of years back at the track. Eventually I developed a missing condition in the upper rpm ranges that nobody could figure out. Pulled the plugs and they were shot. Fouled with a reddish substance.

Put new plugs in, and the problem went away never to return.

If you really need more octane, use race gas

 

Agreed with SixtySix. I had some plugs screwed up big time by either octane booster or Fuel Injector cleaner in my old 89 Mustang. They were red and chewed up so bad I was running on 2.5 cylinders (out of 4 total).

 

LOL 2.5 cylinders... But seriously that stuff doesn't do anything, it'll say adds up to 10 points but when you read the fine print they say 10 points = 1 octane, at least I've seen that on the bottle! It's junk and if you buy major brand gas most have additives to keep injectors clean.

 

The octane boosters that do work, contain MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl). The MMT is what causes the redish-brown color on the plugs and foules them out. And if it is killing your plugs, chances are it is not helping your cats out any (if you have them). When the bosster says "boost octane level 2 points" it is not boosting it from 89 to 91, but boosting it from 89 to 89.2. Waste of money. Fuel today is 100 times better than it was in the 60's, 70's or 80's. If you need an octane booster chances are all you really need is a tune up. Octane is not a cleaner, it will not clean your engine. Octane level determines how fast the fuel will burn when ignited in the cumbution chamber. 89 will burn faster than 93. Cars that manufactures recomend 87/89 will run better on 87/89 than on 91 or 93. I have seen cars loose mpg when burning a higher octane gas than what was recomended. If you don't have pinging or detination run the lowest octane you can. Just be sure to buy good gas, not a hole in the wall station that has it for 5 cents cheeper. My moms 1999 crown vic has started to detinate with Kroger gas, so be careful where you buy. Shell and Chevron is the best. Hope this helps.

 

I just asked a question here! Not to get a you don't know your *** from your elbow bash

 

No comment.

 

[quote=Redrocket06;5526298]Octane level determines how fast the fuel will burn when ignited in the cumbution chamber.quote]

The octane rating of gasoline tells you how much the fuel can be compressed before it spontaneously ignites. When gas ignites by compression rather than because of the spark from the spark plug, it causes knocking in the engine as we all know.

 

Well they are basically just telling you that not only are you wasting your money on the stuff, but most likely causing damage to your engine. I don't see any comments here that indicate they are telling you that you don't know anything. They are just trying to give you sound advice and I completely agree. Stop wasting money on Octane boosters.

 

[QUOTE=tw0scoops123;5526618]True, but the definition og octane is
A flammable liquid hydrocarbon with a chemical formula of C8H18, which is found in petroleum.

 

[QUOTE=tw0scoops123;5526618]True, but the definition of octane is:
A flammable liquid hydrocarbon with a chemical formula of C8H18, which is found in petroleum. The hydrocarbon substance in gasoline that reduces engine knock or pinging, which is a noise caused by premature ignition of fuel in the cylinder combustion chamber. The higher the octane number, the less chance of premature ignition. The higher the octane level in your gasoline, the slower the fuel burns, and the less likely your engine will knock. The higher the rating, the slower and more controlled the fuel burns. This allows its use in high compression engines.

The higher the octane the more you can compress it, due to its burn rate.

 

sorry for the double post.