Question on octane booster
02-18-2013, 03:55 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 52
Question on octane booster
As we all know gas prices are getting ridiculous. Some gas stations in Massachusetts its 40 - 50 cent difference between regular and premium So my question is could i add a bottle of octane booster to a full tank of regular gas in order to save a few bucks?
18.5 gallons x .50 more for premium over regular gas = 9.25$
18.5 gallons of regular plus one can of octane booster = 6.00$
just throwing the thought out there.. was curious to know your opinions
18.5 gallons x .50 more for premium over regular gas = 9.25$
18.5 gallons of regular plus one can of octane booster = 6.00$
just throwing the thought out there.. was curious to know your opinions
02-18-2013, 04:06 PM
#2
Thats a good question. I never thought of that but theoretically, it would work out.
02-18-2013, 04:58 PM
#4
02-18-2013, 06:24 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 10,349
Don't waste your money on octane booster. Suck it up and pay the price at the pump like the rest of us, or make adjustments in your lifestyle to put more money in your pocket.
02-18-2013, 08:09 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 10,349
I get low rpm knock running 87 with my car. I can run midgrade 89 with no problems, and that's what I have in the tank right now. Since gas prices went up 50 cents in the last month (93 is now over $4/gal again) I thought I'd try 89 instead of the 93 I usually run, and it's working so far.
02-18-2013, 08:19 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: El Barrio N.Y.C
Posts: 333
an extra 7 or 8 bucks is nothing dude if u want to keep ur car running well thats a small price to pay
02-19-2013, 12:31 AM
#17
I get low rpm knock running 87 with my car. I can run midgrade 89 with no problems, and that's what I have in the tank right now. Since gas prices went up 50 cents in the last month (93 is now over $4/gal again) I thought I'd try 89 instead of the 93 I usually run, and it's working so far.
02-19-2013, 08:22 AM
#19
I get low rpm knock running 87 with my car. I can run midgrade 89 with no problems, and that's what I have in the tank right now. Since gas prices went up 50 cents in the last month (93 is now over $4/gal again) I thought I'd try 89 instead of the 93 I usually run, and it's working so far.
02-19-2013, 08:35 AM
#21
CONFIRMED. Gas stations only have 2 main tanks, the regular and the premium. To get the midgrade, they siphon from both tanks. I used to work at a Shell gas station a few years ago.
02-19-2013, 10:56 AM
#24
this times a million. If you don't like the idea of 91 octane fillups go buy somethin else.
you can run 89 on a full stock car going without full throttle (higher load May knock). The difference between 91 and 94 up here in Canada is only $0.02 Per liter which is awesome and only ends up being like 1.50 extra per tank! a full tank costs like $90 lol
octane booster is a joke, stop being cheap where it counts
you can run 89 on a full stock car going without full throttle (higher load May knock). The difference between 91 and 94 up here in Canada is only $0.02 Per liter which is awesome and only ends up being like 1.50 extra per tank! a full tank costs like $90 lol
octane booster is a joke, stop being cheap where it counts
02-19-2013, 01:01 PM
#25
Some stations in my area offer supreme gas for mid-grade price, but only on Fridays. Have anything like that in your area? Some grocery stores that have gas stations (even Walmart) will offer 10 cents off per gallon with $X spent. May be another way to save.
Overall, changing your driving habits will save you the MOST at the pump. Time I think for all of us to take some cues from our grannies!
Overall, changing your driving habits will save you the MOST at the pump. Time I think for all of us to take some cues from our grannies!
02-19-2013, 01:34 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: vancouver
Posts: 336
Some stations in my area offer supreme gas for mid-grade price, but only on Fridays. Have anything like that in your area? Some grocery stores that have gas stations (even Walmart) will offer 10 cents off per gallon with $X spent. May be another way to save.
Overall, changing your driving habits will save you the MOST at the pump. Time I think for all of us to take some cues from our grannies!
Overall, changing your driving habits will save you the MOST at the pump. Time I think for all of us to take some cues from our grannies!
02-19-2013, 01:43 PM
#27
Just get another job or ride the damn bike stop Bishing about it use either 93-97 or GTFO! This is a big boys world and things cost money how would you like to fill up with GT Race Fuel 2x a week.
02-19-2013, 04:10 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Muncie, IN
Posts: 436
We've been using 89 octane in the Maxima for years with no ill effects.
02-20-2013, 12:27 AM
#30
You drive 10 min out of your way (and back) at an average speed of 30 mph. You average 20 mpg and pay $3.50 out of town ($3.60 along your normal in-town route). On an 17.5-gallon fill-up, you save a maximum of $1.75, most or all of which is used up by your trip to get the cheaper gas.
10 mi / 20 mpg = 0.5 gal --> $1.75 (cost to get cheaper gas)
17.5 gal * $0.10 less per gal = $1.75 (savings)
Total savings = $0.00
Each person should seriously consider their own situation. Maybe it is not that far out of your way to get the cheaper gas. On the other hand, how often do we really fill up 17.5 or 18.5 gal? It is probably more often 15-16 gal. If we are honest, how often is it $0.10/gal cheaper -- usually it is more like $0.06-$0.08/gal cheaper. Also, if you drive completely out of your way to get cheaper gas, you have less gas in your tank when you get home (or wherever you are going) because it is not along your normal route. And then there is the time you spend making the extra trip.
At the end of the day, is that warm fuzzy feeling you get by "saving $0.10/gal" really worth it? I bet not.
My advice: find a quality station near your home, fill up with higher octane fuel and learn to drive more efficiently. And keep prices in perspective: I usually fill up my 2001 530i in Germany for between 100-125€, or $130-165. And it has the same size tank as my Maxima. That is 1.659€/L or $8.29/gal.
Last edited by tcb_02_max; 02-20-2013 at 12:37 AM.
02-20-2013, 12:50 AM
#31
I've heard Redbull is good to add to your gas. LOL. Joking man don't put Redbull in your gas thank. Don't waste your money on these gimmicks claiming to do what clearly won't. These so-called boosters are well marketed to attract the motorist who's just trying to save money. When the gas is high just use the 91 octane and atleast once a month hit it with the 94 octane. I use 89 most of the time and atleast once a month I use the 94 and haven't had any issues with my engine for the pass 7yrs plus
02-20-2013, 04:17 AM
#32
3.0 liter uses 89
3.5 uses 87
you can use higher for additional performance, etc, but there's no need to waste money pointlessly.
there's a ton of 3.5 guys that think they need to run 89+, you don't.
3.5 uses 87
you can use higher for additional performance, etc, but there's no need to waste money pointlessly.
there's a ton of 3.5 guys that think they need to run 89+, you don't.
02-20-2013, 07:06 AM
#33
Just cause you guys up north run your cars on a 50/50 blend of petro and moose fat dont bring that crap down here brudder!
02-20-2013, 01:37 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: vancouver
Posts: 336
And even then, you have to ask if it is worth it. Hypothetical case:
You drive 10 min out of your way (and back) at an average speed of 30 mph. You average 20 mpg and pay $3.50 out of town ($3.60 along your normal in-town route). On an 17.5-gallon fill-up, you save a maximum of $1.75, most or all of which is used up by your trip to get the cheaper gas.
10 mi / 20 mpg = 0.5 gal --> $1.75 (cost to get cheaper gas)
17.5 gal * $0.10 less per gal = $1.75 (savings)
Total savings = $0.00
Each person should seriously consider their own situation. Maybe it is not that far out of your way to get the cheaper gas. On the other hand, how often do we really fill up 17.5 or 18.5 gal? It is probably more often 15-16 gal. If we are honest, how often is it $0.10/gal cheaper -- usually it is more like $0.06-$0.08/gal cheaper. Also, if you drive completely out of your way to get cheaper gas, you have less gas in your tank when you get home (or wherever you are going) because it is not along your normal route. And then there is the time you spend making the extra trip.
At the end of the day, is that warm fuzzy feeling you get by "saving $0.10/gal" really worth it? I bet not.
My advice: find a quality station near your home, fill up with higher octane fuel and learn to drive more efficiently. And keep prices in perspective: I usually fill up my 2001 530i in Germany for between 100-125€, or $130-165. And it has the same size tank as my Maxima. That is 1.659€/L or $8.29/gal.
You drive 10 min out of your way (and back) at an average speed of 30 mph. You average 20 mpg and pay $3.50 out of town ($3.60 along your normal in-town route). On an 17.5-gallon fill-up, you save a maximum of $1.75, most or all of which is used up by your trip to get the cheaper gas.
10 mi / 20 mpg = 0.5 gal --> $1.75 (cost to get cheaper gas)
17.5 gal * $0.10 less per gal = $1.75 (savings)
Total savings = $0.00
Each person should seriously consider their own situation. Maybe it is not that far out of your way to get the cheaper gas. On the other hand, how often do we really fill up 17.5 or 18.5 gal? It is probably more often 15-16 gal. If we are honest, how often is it $0.10/gal cheaper -- usually it is more like $0.06-$0.08/gal cheaper. Also, if you drive completely out of your way to get cheaper gas, you have less gas in your tank when you get home (or wherever you are going) because it is not along your normal route. And then there is the time you spend making the extra trip.
At the end of the day, is that warm fuzzy feeling you get by "saving $0.10/gal" really worth it? I bet not.
My advice: find a quality station near your home, fill up with higher octane fuel and learn to drive more efficiently. And keep prices in perspective: I usually fill up my 2001 530i in Germany for between 100-125€, or $130-165. And it has the same size tank as my Maxima. That is 1.659€/L or $8.29/gal.
02-20-2013, 01:57 PM
#36
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Saline, MI
Posts: 28
I drive my '02 Maxima 152 miles total every day to and from work. The drive is 60 miles highway, 16 miles 55mph 2 lane roads each way. I log every mile and gallon of gas in all 3 of my cars and decided to do a study on the difference between 87 and 93 in my Max. I will create a new thread with all the detail, but the conclusion is that 87 results in 2mpg less than 93. If I can get 93 for <=$.20 more than 87 then it saves me at least $.05 per mile. If its anymore than that then it is more cost effective to run 87. I haven't experienced ANY knocking or pinging when running 87, and the performance difference is negligible.
I recommend switching to 87 and don't look back! If you happen to find a station with 93 for no more than $.20 extra then fill up with that, otherwise enjoy the savings!
I recommend switching to 87 and don't look back! If you happen to find a station with 93 for no more than $.20 extra then fill up with that, otherwise enjoy the savings!
02-20-2013, 07:35 PM
#37
I know I'm a noob here on the site, so heres my 2 pennies. I bought my 03 six speed just over a week ago. I've been foolin around with the mpg computer and different octanes and I noticed that 93 gives me about 3mpg more over 89. This is combined city and highway.
Throttle response is a lil crisper too on 93.
Throttle response is a lil crisper too on 93.
02-21-2013, 12:09 AM
#38
I know I'm a noob here on the site, so heres my 2 pennies. I bought my 03 six speed just over a week ago. I've been foolin around with the mpg computer and different octanes and I noticed that 93 gives me about 3mpg more over 89. This is combined city and highway.
Throttle response is a lil crisper too on 93.
Throttle response is a lil crisper too on 93.
02-21-2013, 04:44 AM
#39
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Saline, MI
Posts: 28
Exactly, I didn't use the computer for my calculations, they were all done by taking the miles traveled and dividing it by the gallons used to fill the tank to one click every time.
02-21-2013, 04:48 AM
#40
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 87
The gen5.5 owner's manual says you can get by on 87, but recommends at least 91 for improved vehicle performance.
Many gas stations around here only have a $0.10/gal jump going from 87 to 89, and another $0.10/gal jump to 93. Anymore I always buy 93 for the max.
On 93 I can drive in 1 higher gear, compared to 89. ie. cruising around at 2K rpm, instead of 2.5K. So it totally makes sense that many drivers would get better gas mileage with 93.
For me, when gas prices are this high, spending an extra $0.10/gal means spending an extra 2.5% on a fill-up. So if I get 5% better gas mileage (probably usually more like 10%), I am actually saving money.
Of course this could be different depending on how you drive.
Many gas stations around here only have a $0.10/gal jump going from 87 to 89, and another $0.10/gal jump to 93. Anymore I always buy 93 for the max.
On 93 I can drive in 1 higher gear, compared to 89. ie. cruising around at 2K rpm, instead of 2.5K. So it totally makes sense that many drivers would get better gas mileage with 93.
For me, when gas prices are this high, spending an extra $0.10/gal means spending an extra 2.5% on a fill-up. So if I get 5% better gas mileage (probably usually more like 10%), I am actually saving money.
Of course this could be different depending on how you drive.
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