Anyone know anything about octane boosters??

[Big D McGee]

Just wondering if octane boosters really work. The reason I ask is that my '01 Pathfinder needs fuel with an octane rating of at least 91. Since premum fuel is around $.20 more per gallon than 86, it costs me around $3.50 extra each time I fill up. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but it's almost $10 a week over using regular gas. I tried using 86, even 89, but after a couple of fill ups I could tell I was losing mucho power, plus the enging knocked and pinged like a mother. The car has 96,000 miles on it, and I plan on keeping it until I reach around 200,000.

 

I can get octane boost additive for around a buck a bottle. Does the stuff actually work? Will it damage my car?

 

Thanks, any info is appreciated!

[cannibible]

Unless your vehicle is super/turbo-charged, or it has an unusually high compression ratio (>10:1), You don't NEED Premium gasoline.

 

This is not totally true. His pathfinder calls for 91. Now, while it will run mostly fine on stuff below that, it is not the best stuff for the engine.

 

In the short run, you will experience a slight decrease in power, and some knocking and pinging (just as Mcgee described).

 

In the long run, that knocking and pinging can develop into some bad stuff...

[Big D McGee]

^^Moreover, I have an extended warranty on the engine and powertrain (150,000 as compensation for a recall of the fuel filler nozzle corroding), and using any octane lower than 91 will void the warranty. Would the Nissan dealer know? I really don't want to take that chance.

 

Also, as you said, I lose power when using a lowe octane. The car has 250hp, but it needs every last horse. I mean, it goes like a raped ape, but it's so heavy that any less power wouldn't be enough to pass someone on the freeway.

[Realist]

^^Moreover, I have an extended warranty on the engine and powertrain (150,000 as compensation for a recall of the fuel filler nozzle corroding), and using any octane lower than 91 will void the warranty. Would the Nissan dealer know? I really don't want to take that chance.

 

Also, as you said, I lose power when using a lowe octane. The car has 250hp, but it needs every last horse. I mean, it goes like a raped ape, but it's so heavy that any less power wouldn't be enough to pass someone on the freeway.

 

Yes, they will find out that you're using lower grade.

 

 

And octane boosters only boost octane levels a fraction of a grade. There won't be much difference.

[wildwilly911]

yes octane boosters do work, the buck a bottle stuff doesnt its probably nothing more than alcohol and will not do any thing. contact your nissan dealer and see if they can reprogram the computer to run lower octane fuel. the pinging your hearing with lower octane is death to your motor. the fuel additives that work are going to cost you about 10 bucks or more to treat 20 gallons so its not a savings

[Big D McGee]

^^^If the Nissan guys can reprogram my car's computer to run on lower octane fuel, wont' that still have an adverse effect on the engine?

 

Man, I keep seeing these little Nissan Versas & Honda Civics and *shudder* Toyota Priuses (Priuses? Priusii?) that are starting to look good to me. But I plan on living near Lake Perris, (in Riverside CA) and I know I wanta get me one'r them pontoon boats. The Pathfiner tows like a mutha.

 

Eh, at least it'll be paid off in like 8 months.

[GDWindowpane]

My Dodge truck (yes it does have a hemi) requires mid-grade. I work for a petroleum company which owns quite a few fleet fueling stations (and don't get pissed at me, the refineries are making all the profits). Well the one by my house stopped selling mid grade so I had to start mixing my own. I now fill up with 14 gallons regular and 7 gallons premium which gives me my mid grade. I would think that you could probably find the right ratio to come up with your 91 octane. But with premium being 92/93 octane you might not see that great of a savings... Just my .02 cents...

[wildwilly911]

^^^If the Nissan guys can reprogram my car's computer to run on lower octane fuel, wont' that still have an adverse effect on the engine?

 

Man, I keep seeing these little Nissan Versas & Honda Civics and *shudder* Toyota Priuses (Priuses? Priusii?) that are starting to look good to me. But I plan on living near Lake Perris, (in Riverside CA) and I know I wanta get me one'r them pontoon boats. The Pathfiner tows like a mutha.

 

Eh, at least it'll be paid off in like 8 months.

no it wont have adverse affect, its retarding the timing curve a bit, pretty soon instead of seeing performance chips for cars were going to see pooch chips

[Bogeyman82]

On a related note, I heard that installing a cold air intake can improve gas mileage. Can anyone confirm or deny?

[wildwilly911]

On a related note, I heard that installing a cold air intake can improve gas mileage. Can anyone confirm or deny?

it can but it isnt going to be a noticeable amount, most cars today have a pretty efficient breathing system all ready to maximize power out put

[GDWindowpane]

I put a cold air intake in my truck, didn't notice any appreciatable increase in gas mileage. But I wasn't really going for gas mileage, I was going for horsepower. Haven't had it on a dyno but I'm sure it went up a bit. Of course if you drive it like you stole it you're not going to be getting that great of gas mileage anyway...

[Big D McGee]

^^True. But dang, it's hard driving the speed limit! It seems like I'm standing still! LOL