Fuel additives?

[elcamino85]

So I was wondering if anyone adds anything to their fuel. Like a fuel system cleaner or that octane boost stuff (never used that). I have always used the fuel system cleaners on all my cars and it really helps out when I begin to notice a drop in gas mileage.

[tjmac49]

[nosrettap58]

Here in montana our max octane is 91. The higher the elevation, the less octane needed. Wonder how that effects the computer settings?

[Soundwave]

If you google this topic you'll find a lot of discussion about how none of them do anything at all. The octane rating you gain is VERY MINIMAL.

What DOES work is mixing your fuel. I was getting the 101 octane (unleaded) and filling 1/4 tank with it, and 91 (the highest we have here) for the rest. The 101 is $7 a gallon so for 1/4 tank I'm paying about $25 but I'm actually raising my octane level instead of just throwing my money away with the gimmick octane boosters.

[elcamino85]

What about fuel cleaners since those actually work for me.

[Soundwave]

I'm sure a fuel cleaner wouldn't hurt. I haven't researched that enough to really tell you though. I wouldn't expect amazing results still. Higher octane rating doesn't equal faster car necessarily. Keep that in mind.

[elcamino85]

Thanks for the info

[Lbness]

Techron every 20 tanks or so ... does clean fuel systems

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by elcamino85

So I was wondering if anyone adds anything to their fuel. Like a fuel system cleaner or that octane boost stuff (never used that). I have always used the fuel system cleaners on all my cars and it really helps out when I begin to notice a drop in gas mileage.

You ever looked on the back and read what was in it? Most of the stuff you can buy in the store is almost nothing but ethanol and rubbing alcohol, both of which is terrible for gasoline engines, and it takes more then just the 1 tank most people use for it to work. The octane booster only increase the octane level by .5-1 point in a 20 gallon tank, such a huge ripoff.

Use the highest grade octane for your area (either 93 or 91) and you'll notice better results then any of these off the shelf additives will give. Mix in a gallon or two of racing gas like mentioned above and you're see a lot more gain for your money.

[elcamino85]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

You ever looked on the back and read what was in it? Most of the stuff you can buy in the store is almost nothing but ethanol and rubbing alcohol, both of which is terrible for gasoline engines, and it takes more then just the 1 tank most people use for it to work. The octane booster only increase the octane level by .5-1 point in a 20 gallon tank, such a huge ripoff.

Use the highest grade octane for your area (either 93 or 91) and you'll notice better results then any of these off the shelf additives will give.

Like I said I have never used the octane stuff before I just always see it next to the fuel cleaner which I use regularly like the other post said 20 fill ups or so sometime 10.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by elcamino85

Like I said I have never used the octane stuff before I just always see it next to the fuel cleaner which I use regularly like the other post said 20 fill ups or so sometime 10.

Better off buying a $1 bottle of rubbing alcohol and putting in half of it imo. You'll get the same results as that's mostly what it is made of.

[RCLapCar]

Looks like my local Petro Canada stations are going to start selling 94 octange gas No need for additives I guess.

[joe h]

No gas station in North Dakota offers 93 octane, despite the elevation in the state ranging from just less than a thousand feet out east and about 1500 to 2000 for the central. So I have been mixing 10% e85 with 91 octane. If I done the math right it should give you about 92.1 to 92.5 octane. Of course depending on the ethanol content in the 91 octane I could be putting up to 16% ethanol in the tank. Tried looking for unleaded racing gas in the Bismarck area, but no one had any.

Just my opinion, but it would be nice if gm would have their higher compression cars as flex fuel, since these cars can take advantage of the higher octane.