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9 Best Octane Boosters (To Help Your Engine Stay At Its Best)

Getting the most out of your car requires that you give it the care and attention it deserves. In some cases, this may include giving your car the best octane booster to help you motor perform at its very best.

And, there’s also the environmental impact to consider.

Using an octane booster will help you get the most out of your gasoline, meaning you won’t have to use as much gas. This is a big money saver, but it’s also an environmental saver.

Octane boosters help you get the best experience out of your car, save you money, and help to keep the environment clean!

What Is an Octane Booster?

Octane boosters raise the octane of the fuel in your tank, giving your car more power. They also generally help clean your engine as the gas processes through it, giving you an efficient ride.

Aren’t All Octane Boosters The Same?

Octane boosters use different additives to increase the octane in your tank. The four that are most common are Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT), Ferrocene, Aromatic Alcohols, and Ethanol. Different chemical additives used in the best octane boosters have different effects on how your car runs.

Once the octane booster is added to your gasoline tank, a chemical change takes place, leaving you with fuel with a higher octane level.

MMT

This popular chemical is used in refineries around the world to help raise the octane level of fuel. It’s used because it’s an effective alternative to TEL, or tetra-ethyl lead, but it far more environmentally friendly. Lead is extremely harmful to the environment, whereas methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl is not, and it’s also not harmful to emission control devices. It makes the perfect active ingredient for lots of octane boosters.

Ferrocene

This is an iron compound that is a cheaper alternative to MMT. It’s used because it’s a more environmentally friendly option than TEL, but it’s also a more affordable and economical option than MMT. While this is still used in octane boosters, it’s not used in refineries as often because most counties prohibit the use of ferrocene by refineries.

This is because the iron oxide that is formed during combustion is highly abrasive and can result in massive increases in engine wear.

Aromatic Alcohols

Aromatics like Toulon and benzine are effective in increasing the octane level of fuels, giving your engine better performance. This isn’t the most preferred active ingredient for octane levels because you generally have to use a very large amount of aromatic alcohols to produce a significant change octane levels.

It’s easier for most octane boosters to use MMT, but some still take advantage of the beneficial properties of aromatic alcohols.

Ethanol

Of course, ethanolis used by some race cars to help boost their octane levels. It’s a very effective method, but there are several things you should be aware of if you are using ethanol. It has a different stoichiometric ratio to petrol, which means that the car engine will run leaner than normal; using anything more than a 10% mix of ethanol requires the car be tuned for the fuel.

The car will have to run richer, which usually results in higher fuel consumption. You also have to keep in mind that ethanol absorbs water from the surrounding air. This can cause corrosion and algae in the fuel system.

Where Can I Buy the Best Octane Boosters?

You can purchase octane boosters wherever you buy auto equipment or online.

How We Reviewed

When it comes to finding the best octane booster for your car, the decision can vary based on what you’re looking for. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve gathered some of the most highly reviewed octane boosters on the market and will review them based on key characteristics.

Overall Price Range

Depending on what brand you decide on, you can expect to spend somewhere from around $5 to $50 on the best octane booster. The jury is out about to what degree price equates with quality, so for this product we recommend reading reviews carefully and choosing a product based on your particular needs rather than just springing for the most expensive one out there.

Lucas Oil 10026-PK12 Octane Booster - 15 oz (Pack of 12)

1. Lucas Oil 10026-PK12 Octane Booster

Features

This octane booster from Lucas Oil (found here) promotes clean fuel burning to reduce your emissions and give you an overall better performance. It’s safe for turbos, oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. It can be used in fuel injected or carburetted engines and will give them the best performance you’ve seen.

This is one of the best octane booster options because it gives you more of a boost than most other brands. It is sold in a case pack of 12.

Price $$$

BOOSTane Professional Octane Booster 32oz (1 Pack)

2. BOOSTane Professional Octane Booster

Features

This BOOSTane Professional Octane Booster (found here) is perfect for use in high compression engines, as well as in turbocharged motors and blower motors. It uses a proprietary chelated carrier as well as cleaning agents to breathe life back into your motor and get the best performance possible out of it.

It also works to extend your fuel life, so you can get better gas mileage, and save yourself some money. 

This is one of the best octane booster options because it features an anti-corrosion agent that protects your engine from ethanol by preventing phase separation. The formula also works as an anti-carbon build up agent. It treats from 94 to 116 octane and is ratio specific. One bottle is enough for multiple uses.

Price $$

Royal Purple Max Boost Octane Booster, 16 fl. oz (Case of 3)

3. Royal Purple ROY11757 MAX BOOST

Features

This Royal Purple MAX Boost (found here) replaces lead additives to give you better protection of non-hardened valve seats. It can raise the octane rating up to 30 points, or 3 numbers, giving your engine a superpowered boost.

It works to restore power and fuel economy while also cleaning deposits from the fuel injectors. This octane booster reduces the power that can get lost due to knock-retard in automobiles that happen to be controlled by a computer.

It also works to reduce the engine knocking and pinging and can help to stabilize the fuel. This MAX Boost is a racing formula that is intended for racing cars.

Price $

TORCO F500010TE Unleaded Fuel Accelerator Black, 32 Ounces

4. Torco F500010TE Unleaded Fuel Accelerator

Features

This Torco Unleaded Fuel Accelerator (found here) offers you a blend of components that transforms the make up of premium pump gas to make it more closely resemble race fuel, giving your car an added power boost that helps it perform in ways you have yet to experience. It works by significantly raising the octane level of premium fuel.

If you’re using 91 octane fuel, you can use this 32 ounce bottle to raise 5 gallons of fuel to 105 octane. Plus, this fuel accelerator won’t harm sensitive oxygen sensors or catalytic converters.

Price $

Klotz Higher Octane Booster - 4 Pint Value Pack

5. Klotz Higher Octane Booster

Features

This Klotz Higher Octane Booster (found here) increases octane level in your regular pump gasoline by up to 10 numbers. It uses a tetraethyl lead substitute to give it extra lubricity. The proprietary formula works to stabilize the flame front and control the burn speed.

It also helps to clean your engine, injector, and carbureter, which will also get your engine functioning at its very best. Use this octane booster with caution and be aware that it can discolor paint, plastic, and fiberglass.

Price $$$

Octane Booster, Bottled Fuel System Cleaner Restores Lost Power and Acceleration, 5.25 Oz, STP

6. STP Octane Booster (5.25 fluid ounces)

Features

This STP Octane Booster (found here) is a great option because it is available at such an affordable price! It features a two-in-one formula that boosts the octane in your fuel and cleans the fuel intake system. It helps to restore power and acceleration to your fuel and your engine.

It also can help to reduce knocking and pinging. To keep your car happy and healthy, you should use the best octane booster regularly when you fill up your tank. This booster is compatible with capless gas systems.

Price $

104+ (10406) Octane Boost - Boosts Octane And Cleans injectors To Improve Engine Performance - Improve Gas Mileage - 1 Bottle Treats Up To 18 Gallons, 16 fl. oz.

7. 104+ 10406 Octane Boost

Features

This 104+ formula (found here) is the best way to boost your power. It will give you better gas mileage, more power, and more control over your engine. It works to clean the fuel injector to give you the most efficient ride possible.

It can reduce knocks, pings, and hesitation in your engine. This formula is safe for catalytic converters and oxygen sensors in your motor.

Price $

Berryman 1512 Octane Booster Fuel Treatment Pour-in Long-Neck Bottle Capless Tank Compatible, 12-Ounce

8. Berryman 1512 Octane Booster

Features

Berryman 1512 Octane Booster is one of the best options because it comes in an easy pour-in long-neck bottle that takes the fuss out of application. It uses MMT to increase the octane value of whatever gasoline you are using.

It’s approved for use in all automotive, marine, and farm applications. It protects your engine by helping to eliminate rough idling, engine stalling, pinging, spark knocking, after-run, and run-on. It’s compatible with all grades of gasoline, so you can trust that it will work for you. It is safe for use with an oxygen sensor and catalytic converter.

Price $

Gumout 510022 Octane Booster, 10 oz.

9. Gumout 510022 Octane Booster

Features

This Gumout formula (found here) works to boost the octane level in the gas to give your engine the best performance possible. It restores proper combustion within the engine and works to reduce emissions. It helps to stop knocks and pings.

It’s safe for use in turbocharged and supercharged vehicles, as well as for use with oxygen sensors or catalytic converters.

Price $

The Verdict

If you’re looking to get the most out of your diving experience, you need the best octane booster to give your engine a breath of fresh air, figuratively. Octane boosters are appealing for so many reasons. They help you drive faster and smoother, and they save you money because they keep your engine clean and running well, and make the most out of every drop of gas so you don’t have to tank up as often. 

If you’re looking for the best octane booster for every car, you can’t do better than the Lucas Oil 10026-PK12 Octane Booster. Of course, if you’re using an octane booster regularly, the price can add up. If you’re looking for an octane booster that will give you all of the power, but at a little lower price, you might want to try the Torco F500010TE Unleaded Fuel Accelerator.

Whether you’re speeding through crowded streets or making your way along a deserted, open road, you can always benefit from having an octane booster on board. Make sure that your car is performing at its best and make a habit out of regularly using an octane booster.

You want to get the most out of your gasoline, and an octane booster will help you get there.