So are octane boosters all they're cracked up to be? Furthermore, do they really increase the octane rating as much as advertised? Octane boosters are popular in the performance scene because they often regain power lost through detonation. Sold for around $10 - $50 (£5 - £25) in a handy bottle, they're a convenient fuel additive and horsepower helper. But with so many brands on the market, you may be fooled into thinking they're all as effective as one another. Well, they're not! Differing chemical compounds, additives and even volumes, mixed in with a good percentage of..

We get asked time and time again whether octane boosters work. The answer is yes and no because it really depends on the application and what you are trying to achieve. Let us clarify. Firstly, we need to understand why octane boosters exist in the first place - it is to prevent the onset of detonation. Detonation is described as: "Excessively rapid burning of the fuel mixture, often caused by auto-ignition due to excessive temperatures in the combustion chamber, incorrect ignition timing, lean mixtures, too high a compression ratio or unsuitable fuel." Basically, a too-low an octane..