X-1R Octane Booster Comes Out On Top

“Detonation is a phenomenon that occurs in piston internal-combustion engines with spark ignition; it develops as a result of the f...

“Detonation is a phenomenon that occurs in piston internal-combustion engines with spark ignition; it develops as a result of the formation and accumulation in the fuel charge of organic peroxides, which are the primary products of the oxidation of hydrocarbon fuel. If a certain critical concentration of peroxides is reached in the mixture, detonation occurs, which is characterized by an un-usually(sic) high velocity of flame propagation and the formation of shock waves.” (V.V.Shchekin 3rd Edition 2010)

If the above statement is gibberish to you, then, in short, detonation is BAD and is the culprit that causes engine knocks. High performance engines, therefore, require fuel with higher levels of octane to mitigate this problem, giving rise to the introduction of a slew of octane boosters into the market. Most drivers think that all octane boosters are created equal - they are not. Chemical compound, additives, dosage as well as formulation technology, they all determine the effectiveness of the fuel booster.

A recent research published in August 2013 by Camin Cargo Control, an independent laboratory in the US, pit different octane booster brands available in the market against each other, and found that some are better than others, and one is significantly superior to the rest.

To maintain the reliability of the test, Camin picked up the products directly from retail shelves, rather than obtaining them from the manufacturers, so that the samples being tested were exactly what consumers are getting. The lab followed the recommended dosage stated on the label on regular petrol purchased from the pump, like any vehicle owner would. ASTM procedures were adhered to, that is, the standards determined by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Regular unleaded RON91 fuel has a rating of 91.7. For the layman, RON refers to Research Octane Number - the higher the number, the more detonation-resistant the fuel is. When the Gold Eagle, Lucas Oil and NOS octane booster brands were added to the RON91 fuel (refer Report 1 below), the fuel rating increased by 1%, 3% and 4.6% respectively. When it was X-1R’s Racing Octane Booster’s turn to be put to the test, the rating increased by an astounding 10.4 % to 101.2!

Premium unleaded RON97 has a higher base rating of, well, 97. The same brands were administered to the RON97 fuel (refer Report 2 below), and the ratings increased by 0.6% (Gold Eagle), 1.6% (Lucas Oil) and 3.8% (NOS). X-1R again outperformed the other brands with a 9.3% increase.

The numbers paint a thousand words, and since it’s the season for giving, you know what to get for your beloved car.

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X-1R is a NASA hall-of-famer, which continues to progress with research and development to provide solutions that benefit mankind. To read more about the partnership between X-1R and NASA, explore NASA’s website or visit this link.

Carmin Cargo Control is a professional inspection and laboratory services provider established in 1982.