Octane boosters work by adding octane-rich compounds to the fuel. These compounds, such as tetraethyl lead (TEL) and methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), slow the combustion process of the fuel, which reduces the risk of knocking.
Octane boosters are typically used in high-performance engines, which are more susceptible to knocking than low-performance engines. They can also be used in older engines that are not designed to run on modern, high-octane fuels.
Octane boosters are not a substitute for high-octane fuel. If your engine requires high-octane fuel, you should use it, regardless of whether or not you add an octane booster. Octane boosters can only increase the octane rating of fuel by a few points, so they will not make a low-octane fuel suitable for use in a high-performance engine.
Octane boosters can be harmful to the environment, so they should only be used when necessary. They can also void your warranty, so check your warranty information before using an octane booster.
