An octane booster, or octane enhancer, is a product that is designed to increase the octane (is a designation that refers to the detonation resistance of a particular fuel mixture) of the fuel. Best octane booster are marketed in specially designed packaging, which denotes the effectiveness of the product. But some tests of octane boosters in controlled environments have suggested that these products are not really very effective. Since many octane boosters are very expensive, it is often also more cost effective to buy high octane fuel than to use an octane booster, even a product that works.
The idea behind octane booster supplies is that by increasing octane in certain types of engines, it is possible to increase the horsepower and sometimes the efficiency of the vehicle. This is only true for high compression engines, however, such as those found in sports cars, a number of factors can influence vehicle behavior, which means that adding an octane fuel boost to a Average car can not create a very demonstrable effect.
Most cars come with manufacturer-specific octane levels. The engine, timing system, and other systems in the car have been calibrated to operate on gas over a specific octane range. Sports cars, performance cars, and race cars tend to be designed to run on better octane fuels because these fuels can generate more energy. The higher the octane rating, the higher the pre-ignition resistance, which translates into an ability to increase the engine's compression ratio, generating more power.
Octane enhancers can improve the power of car engines.
In-car computer systems are usually designed to make minor adjustments to deal with changes in octane and other conditions. This means that high octane fuel must be regularly used to perform well, and that a reinforcement must be added well in advance of the time required. A pro trying to increase the octane of a racing car, for example, could not add the octane booster on the track because the engine would not have time to adjust.
There are a number of concerns about octane boosters that the consumer should be aware of. Complaints about such products are unchecked, and statements like "adds eight octane points" can be very misleading. Consumers who are interested in using these products should ask for recommendations from auto mechanics professionals or specialists who work with cars similar to those treated by the consumer.