I was reading the thread on the octane and it got me interested, are the octane boosters worth the money? The ones you can buy form k-mart and walgreens? You just dump them into your tank right? how much octane do you get with the increase?

 

waste of money.... acutally it might even hurt ur engine....

 

You read that thread and still have a question? The big question is why WOULD you need it???

I don't think you really understand what "octane" does.

1. only need it if you are boosted (are you?)
2. nissan specifically recommends 91 for 2002... not sure about '97 but I do know it's not higher than that
3. nissan specifically states not to use additives... (below)

OFFICIAL nissan stance:
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any fuel
additives (i.e. fuel injector cleaner, octane
booster, intake valve deposit removers, etc.)
which are sold commercially.

 

Recommends yes, but in my owners manual they recommend "at least" 91.

With the VQs high compression, sensitive knock sensor, and tendency to heat soak quickly, I think 93 would be ideal.

As for octane boosters, they're worthless. You'll be lucky to get .5 of a point raise in octane with those so-called "boosters".


Dave

 

Right. The only fuel additive which is "unofficially" recommended is Chevron Techron Concentrate.

 

To answer your question Yes and no. Mostly no. One of my best friends is a chemist who works for a petroleum additive company. He develops the additve packages that are put into gasoline. 99% of off-the-shelf octane boosters/fuel injector cleaners/fuel additves are watered down to the point where they are not effective on a full tank of gas for a car or truck. These products have to contain 2-10% of the active ingredient and most companies are closer to the 2%.

It's not unusual to see long distance motorcycle riders carry octane boosters because you don't always have access to quality fuel in remote areas. Why does it work for motorcycles and not cars? Motorcycles have small gas tanks, typically less than 6 gallons. With less than 6 gallons, the concentration of the octane booster is high enough to raise the octane number. Dump the same bottle into a 12+ gallon gas tank and the effects are minimal.

If you were to dump two bottles of octane booster in say a 1/4 tank or less you will raise the octane number. Whether or not you feel the $10-$15 is worth a couple of hp is up to you. Me, I'd rather spend the money on getting into the track.

 

what is chevron techron concentrate?

 

I hope they support Techron!: It is in Chevron pump gas. It's a good idea to put in a bottle of concentrate every 3000 miles (every oil change) to keep your fuel system clean. Maxima's run like crap when they start to gunk up.

 

so where can i pick up a bottle of htis techron stuff?

 

Gunk up?

I've never put any fuel treatment in my Maxima (94K miles). If you change your fuel filter on a regular basis and buy quality gasoline, there shouldn't be any "gunking". Gasoline is very clean.


Dave

 

I see the Techron bottles in the local Chevron.

 

I sometimes have to use it when I let one of the dingy females in my family use my car and they ignore me telling them they have to use 91 or better.

 

I use strictly 93 octane Chevron gas. So, I really dont need to use the additive since it is added to their gas.

 

That's the truth!

However it is important to mention one important fact about Chevron gas and why it is one of the better brands available. Whenever a fuel company "brands" a fuel, i.e. the name "Techron" it falls under a stricter set of requirements. It must be superior than the company's standard fuel. I remember texaco used to have a "tech 3" fuel but I haven't seen it in my area for some time.

My friend has told me that the majority of fuel companies are scaling back on the additive packages put into fuel. As it stands now there is no difference in the additive packages between low-grade and mid-grade. Only the high octane fuels are getting the decent fuel additive packages.

 

i've been using Shell's 91 octane gas for awhile. There's a lot of Shells in my area. I guess their gas are of good quality.

 

Anybody heard or know about this brew?
They be makin' some powerful claims
(see excerpt from website below)

Duralt puts the "muscle" back into "muscle cars"
In Gasoline engines:
Duralt reduced fuel consumption
by about 2% in new clean laboratory test engines and
7.5% to 8.5% in actual road tests.

Reference:
SAE Technical Paper Series #890214:
"A Broad-Spectrum, Non-Metallic Additive
for Gasoline and Diesel Fuels: Performance in
Gasoline Engines"

More info at their site
http://www.buyduralt.com/

 

STOP THE INSANITY!!