Fuel additives and octane boosters....do they really work?

Shan2nu · 10th November 2007, 10:44

In a recent episode of Fifth Gear, some fuel additives were tested on an engine under ideal conditions in a laboratory. Some of these additives boast of upto 10% gains in power but the test revealed some shocking results.

See for yourselves -

YouTube - Myth about fuel additives, 5th Gear

Shan2nu

1self · 10th November 2007, 12:50

Just saw the video...shucks man....what a revelation!

carboy · 10th November 2007, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

In a recent episode of Fifth Gear, some fuel additives were tested on an engine under ideal conditions in a laboratory. Some of these additives boast of upto 10% gains in power but the test revealed some shocking results.

See for yourselves - YouTube - Myth about fuel additives, 5th Gear

Shan2nu

Can someone give a summary for those who can't watch the video?

iraghava · 10th November 2007, 14:31

Wow! So does that put the myths of Octane Booster's to rest??

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy

Can someone give a summary for those who can't watch the video?

Basically, they tested 4 popular products all of which claimed to improve Power/Acceleration, End result on the dyno was that all of them actually reduced the power of the engine rather than improving upon it.

Jaggu · 10th November 2007, 14:57

i guess these are helpful (if any) for moded high performance engine and will not help in regular street spec's.

rohan_fonseca · 10th November 2007, 17:58

Good headsup video that.

adityamunshi · 11th November 2007, 18:23

I am surprised with the video. I use System-D in my Indica and it does seem to make some difference. Definitely in the engine noise levels and smoothness. About the power i cant really be sure.

dadu · 11th November 2007, 18:40

yes, they tested only for power increase no the other factors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adityamunshi

I am surprised with the video. I use System-D in my Indica and it does seem to make some difference. Definitely in the engine noise levels and smoothness. About the power i cant really be sure.

goldsun · 11th November 2007, 19:22

Suprising! Then, how the manufacturers make money by seeling products with such tall claims?

Jaggu · 11th November 2007, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by adityamunshi

I am surprised with the video. I use System-D in my Indica and it does seem to make some difference. Definitely in the engine noise levels and smoothness. About the power i cant really be sure.

System D is an injector pump cleaner for Diesel engines, NOT octane booster.

rider60 · 11th November 2007, 22:17

nice revelation buddy keep it up!

hyper123 · 11th November 2007, 22:27

That is a shocking revelation! So we indians are not the only ones being fooled.

Fuel additives and octane boosters are different stuff. In the video, they do not clearly mention whether the all products were octane boosters or just additives (two of them were octane boosters). I wonder what is the octane rating of the 'normal' unleaded fuel they used?

rohan_fonseca · 12th November 2007, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyper123

That is a shocking revelation! So we indians are not the only ones being fooled.

Fuel additives and octane boosters are different stuff. In the video, they do not clearly mention whether the all products were octane boosters or just additives (two of them were octane boosters). I wonder what is the octane rating of the 'normal' unleaded fuel they used?

Definately not going to be 87!

n_aditya · 12th November 2007, 15:11

I feel with the hype created through advertisements, most people easily believe everything / most of the things they read or see. The positive effects could be psychological. But in some cases such products may actually produce a positive result but difference would be very negligible.

I have been using SystemG Injector cleaner for around 2 years. I feel the engine is slightly smoother. Cant say its a miracle product. And I dont even use it if i am tanking up at shell. While for some its a matter of "feeling safe with adulterated fuel" which can be termed psychological, I can feel reduction in engine knocking and slightly better response from the engine. Other factors like state of tune etc play a major role too.

Cant comment on octane boosters as I havent used them yet.

One should ensure to have realistic expectations from the products they buy, take feedback from real users (Thank God for sites like Tbhp) and not from the advert's/media.

raghaviyengar · 13th November 2007, 10:13

Since we are discussing additives, i thought i would ask a question about System G. I have a ford ikon and i was recommended i use System G by BP. I do see some improvement in the performance of the engine but i am really not sure what i does and how it does it

. Can anybody clarify this for me please?? thanks in advance.

10th November 2007, 12:50	#2
1self BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 629 Thanked: 334 Times View My Garage	Just saw the video...shucks man....what a revelation!
	() Thanks

10th November 2007, 14:57	#5
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,402 Thanked: 16,949 Times	i guess these are helpful (if any) for moded high performance engine and will not help in regular street spec's.
	() Thanks

10th November 2007, 17:58	#6
rohan_fonseca BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Panaji Posts: 984 Thanked: 9 Times View My Garage	Good headsup video that.
	() Thanks

11th November 2007, 18:23	#7
adityamunshi BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baroda Posts: 771 Thanked: 6 Times	I am surprised with the video. I use System-D in my Indica and it does seem to make some difference. Definitely in the engine noise levels and smoothness. About the power i cant really be sure.
	() Thanks

11th November 2007, 19:22	#9
goldsun BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 230 Thanked: 49 Times	Suprising! Then, how the manufacturers make money by seeling products with such tall claims?
	() Thanks

11th November 2007, 22:17	#11
rider60 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bhagyanagaram. (A.K.A. Hyderabad) Posts: 1,620 Thanked: 56 Times View My Garage	nice revelation buddy keep it up!
	() Thanks

11th November 2007, 22:27	#12
hyper123 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 321 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	That is a shocking revelation! So we indians are not the only ones being fooled. Fuel additives and octane boosters are different stuff. In the video, they do not clearly mention whether the all products were octane boosters or just additives (two of them were octane boosters). I wonder what is the octane rating of the 'normal' unleaded fuel they used?
	() Thanks

12th November 2007, 15:11	#14
n_aditya Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 5,373 Thanked: 3,801 Times View My Garage	I feel with the hype created through advertisements, most people easily believe everything / most of the things they read or see. The positive effects could be psychological. But in some cases such products may actually produce a positive result but difference would be very negligible. I have been using SystemG Injector cleaner for around 2 years. I feel the engine is slightly smoother. Cant say its a miracle product. And I dont even use it if i am tanking up at shell. While for some its a matter of "feeling safe with adulterated fuel" which can be termed psychological, I can feel reduction in engine knocking and slightly better response from the engine. Other factors like state of tune etc play a major role too. Cant comment on octane boosters as I havent used them yet. One should ensure to have realistic expectations from the products they buy, take feedback from real users (Thank God for sites like Tbhp) and not from the advert's/media. Last edited by n_aditya : 12th November 2007 at 15:13.
	() Thanks

13th November 2007, 10:13	#15
raghaviyengar Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 9 Thanked: 0 Times	Since we are discussing additives, i thought i would ask a question about System G. I have a ford ikon and i was recommended i use System G by BP. I do see some improvement in the performance of the engine but i am really not sure what i does and how it does it . Can anybody clarify this for me please?? thanks in advance.
	() Thanks