Octane Boost... Is it safe?
#1
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Octane Boost... Is it safe?
Hi!
I wanted to put OCTANE boost in my GS300 and the guy at the Autozone counter warned me that it may mess up my sensors (didn't clarify which one) and that I shoudl be very careful as it could mess up my engine.
Is that true?
If not, is it worth it even (the risk)?
Do I do it each time I gas up?
Should I gas up with 87 and then just use the octane boost instead of wasting money on a 91?
Ryan
I wanted to put OCTANE boost in my GS300 and the guy at the Autozone counter warned me that it may mess up my sensors (didn't clarify which one) and that I shoudl be very careful as it could mess up my engine.
Is that true?
If not, is it worth it even (the risk)?
Do I do it each time I gas up?
Should I gas up with 87 and then just use the octane boost instead of wasting money on a 91?
Ryan
#2
Lexus Champion
IMO, not worth it; besides why go through the hassle of adding something every tank, when you could just use 91 everytime, and usually the premium gas includes helpful detergents as well.
The difference in using Premium 91+ octane vs non-premium with every fill up, is only a handful of dough a year, worthwhile if you drive a Lexus.
The difference in using Premium 91+ octane vs non-premium with every fill up, is only a handful of dough a year, worthwhile if you drive a Lexus.
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2001
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Originally posted by blue wax
it's ok !!
in europ we use
95 or 98 octane all the time
yezzzzzzz
it's ok !!
in europ we use
95 or 98 octane all the time
yezzzzzzz
As for putting octane boost in your gas tank, don't bother. Save the money and buy the premium gas.
#6
Lexus Champion
The problem is lack of true "Premium" gas in California. 91 is now as good as it gets. If you run booster stick with a quality brand. Actually yet another thing I would like to see dyno'ed.
#7
Driver
iTrader: (3)
don't bother. Unless your car has a turbo or supercharger, and has a properly tuned ecu for the a/f mixture don't look to be gaining anything from those octane boosters in a GS. The american market GS was probably not tuned to take advantage of fuel with higher octane rating anyway... it's not a sports car.
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#8
Lexus Test Driver
Not Worth It
Ryan - Yep, don't bother with the octane booster in your 300. In fact, I dumped a can of 104+ booster in my GS4 when I had it on the dyno ( about a year ago ) & didn't pick up anything. The factory ECU's maxed out in terms of spark advance ( using 93 pump octane gasoline ) so there's no way to bump the spark anymore to take advantage of the extra octane w/o some form of additional tuning ( like maybe 1 of the APEXi A/F controllers. The 2JZ-GE is a solid engine in the GS3 & ES3 but isn't tuned for maximium performance in terms of electronics. In fact, even with the SRT intake/ECU my 400 didn't gain power. I'd run booster if I had some form of forced induction ( supercharger, turbocharger or nitrous ) as a safety precaution. The salesman wasn't wrong - not all boosters R safe for your O2 sensors. if U decide to try some anyway, look for a brand that's O2 safe ( 104+ is ). BTW - all domestic gasolines have some detergents in them to allow compliance with DOT & EPA emission requirements. Generally the highest octane gas has more than the 87 rated stuff. Save your money for use elsewhere. There's another thread around here somewhere concerning gasolines - check the "search" feature. FWIW - I'm an engineer with Shell Oil so I do have some "behind the scenes" knowledge of the oil industry!!:eek:
#9
Lexus Champion
Gene, not to pick a nit but that motor is not in the ES3. It was only used in the GS3 and SC3. I am certain you are banging your head into the keyboard over the minor errorl.
Getting old is fun, isn't it??
Getting old is fun, isn't it??
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Octane rating is merely the rating of gasoline to resist engine knock. Lexuses are MADE to run on premium gas (91 in CA). Don't be a hceapo and use 87 just to save $2. It's not worth it in the long run. On the other end of the spectrum, higher octane doesn't "improve performance". Sunoco 120 will only benefit an engine built and tuned for 120 octane. The reason you find higher octane in better (more powerful) cars is because they usually have higher compression and require a higher grade to prevent pinging. 91.
#12
I put octane boost on my car all the time like once every 2weeks or so and yeah i feel the acceleration is smoother through out the gears and i haven't seen or experience harm from it yet. So if you like try it out.
#14
Originally posted by LexusLORD
I put octane boost on my car all the time like once every 2weeks or so and yeah i feel the acceleration is smoother through out the gears and i haven't seen or experience harm from it yet. So if you like try it out.
I put octane boost on my car all the time like once every 2weeks or so and yeah i feel the acceleration is smoother through out the gears and i haven't seen or experience harm from it yet. So if you like try it out.
I've post about this in the SC forums, and the thought was that Ocatane boosters really don't boost the octane rating that much.
It's quite possible you're looking @ a minute gain, with a large placebo effect.
Hate to play the devil's advoate...
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Ooops!!!!
MT - Been spending too much time in the GS shop manual, I guess. Gettin' old ain't that bad but the knees AREN'T the first things to go, if ya catch my drift!! Well, maybe the "Wee"-nee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny how age changes your needs. When I was in college & playing football & powerlifting, the little blue pill of choice was Dianabol ( steroid ). Now it's Viagra!!
Last edited by Mean Gene; 05-02-02 at 08:19 AM.