You’ve probably heard of octane. After all, it has been a major talking point in automotive circles since the days of leaded gasoline. This article will discuss octane and how to use octane boosters as an additive to your fuel.
What is Octane?
Octane is the fuel rating of gasoline. Gasoline with a high octane number burns cleaner and produces fewer emissions than low-octane gasoline.
Octane is a measure of the ability of a fuel to resist ignition at high temperatures. It is measured on a 100-point scale, with 100 being the best. In the early 1900s, when most cars were built using carburettors, the U.S. government set the minimum octane requirement at 87. Today, we have much more sophisticated engines that require higher octanes.
Why Is Octane Important?
Octane is important because it gives us more energy and improved performance while running. A key factor in octane is the compression ratio of the fuel (how much air is compressed into the fuel). This can make or break your car’s performance. With high-octane fuels, you will have a higher compression ratio, which means that your engine will run faster with less effort on your part. A car with high-octane fuel will also have better acceleration and get better mileage than one with low-octane fuel.
Differences In Octane Ratings
Regular gasoline has an octane number of around 87. Midgrade has an octane rating somewhere between 88 and 92. And premium gas has an octane number ranging from 91 to 94. But what does it mean?
Midgrade gas has an octane level between 88 and 90. It’s still high enough to prevent knocking in many vehicles, but it doesn’t contain nearly as much carbon monoxide as regular gas. This allows the engine to run cooler, reducing emissions. However, midgrade gas isn’t as efficient as premium grade gas.
Premium gas has an octane range of 91 to 94. It’s the highest quality gas there is, containing no sulphur or aromatics. It burns cleaner and produces fewer harmful pollutants. Because of this, premium gas is generally recommended for use in older cars with catalytic converters, as well as some newer high performance vehicles.
How to Boost Octane in Your Fuel
There are two main ways to get an octane boost in your fuel. You can add a small amount of alcohol to increase its octane rating, or you can add an octane booster additive. My preferred way is to make use of modern science and use octane booster in the form of a fuel additive.
Fuel additives are often single-use bottles that you can easily pour into your tank when you fill up with gas. There are others that are a small tablet that you can place in your tank when filling up. Most additives are designed for a standard car tank of around 15 gallons of fuel.
Most fuel additives would boast to have a two-in-one formula that improves fuel economy and cleans the your vehicles fuel injectors.
The recent release of organometallic technology in tablet form by Govvi seems to be the leader in improving mileage while raising octane in gasoline and cetane in diesel fuels. Other features of Govvi is that it is a catalyst that results in a more complete clean fuel burn in the combustion chamber, and it's a fuel stabilizer.
From industry expert, Dr. Jose A. Araujo (Master Petroleum Engineering) on the Govvi tablet -
“The tablet is dissolved once placed inside the fuel tank. One part of the gasoline is composed of octane and the other part is composed of Nonane or N-octane. Later (as part of the chemical reaction), the process goes on to branch. Once branched, it causes octane and cetane to increase up to five points. This chemical reaction generates more power, greater efficiency, and less environmental pollution. By increasing the octane, you will obtain 15% to 20% fuel savings, and your engine will work more efficiently, avoiding rattling or engine knocking.”
Although only recently manufactured as a tablet for wider public use, the Govvi tablet catalyst technology has been in operation since the summer of 2010, in the United States. There is no record of damage to engines or the environment due to the use of this technology in combustion engines. One of the concerns with fuel additives is damage to oxygen sensors, but this has been shown not to occur with the use of this technology.
Pros of Boosting Octane in Your Fuel
There are many benefits to boosting octane in your fuel. One of the best things about boosting octane is that it helps improve a fuel’s performance during engine operation. For example, a fuel with a higher octane number will have less detonation which means better performance during high revving and aggressive driving. This reduction in detonation means less wasted horsepower, better fuel economy, and increased longevity of the engine.
Boosting the octane number also helps reduce emissions such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons while also improving efficiency. Another benefit of using an octane booster additive is that it helps lessen the effects of ethanol in gasoline. Ethanol is a natural fermentation agent found in plants which has been blamed for several problems in modern-day engines including rough idling and loss of power when combined with other fuels like gasoline or methanol.
Many fuel additives that boost octane, also have other benefits such as cleaning your car's fuel intake system and fuel injectors, as well as improving engine performance.
Cons of Boosting Octane in Your Fuel
Assuming that you choose the right octane booster, the downside of using one is the added cost. It's wise to weigh up the cost and benefit. With the rising gas prices in 2022, a good additive becomes an easier decision if you get better gas mileage. It's worth trying an additive such as Govvi to see if the improved mileage and performance are worth the price. With 2022 prices and with some vehicles getting 20% better fuel mileage, the average person will reduce fuel cost using an additive.
