Hey all, I keep hearing from a friend of mine that some of these after market cleaners and boosters actually attack certain engine parts, including the metal in some instances, but seals and other things. I have also heard it's only in really super concentrated amounts it attacks. Any thoughts and or opinions? Are they both wrong? Both right? And if partially right, what brands really do the damage? Thanks, PF

 

I have used octane boosters in every car I've owned, for the last decade, give or take. I keep a couple bottles in teh trunk O my A8, in case I end up somewhere where I cant get the liquid platinum required by teh factory. It does help, IMHO. Cars today are designed to retard teh timing when presented with substandard petrol. In some cases it's a difference you can definitely feel. I've also used octane boosters/injertion cleaners in my beaters... I don't give either a steady diet of teh stuff, but I use it when I feel it's needed. Ive NEVER had any internal problems, that I was aware of, in any of my cars in all that time. Not even in higher concentractions. Most of teh bottles state that they can be used to treat up to 20 gallons at a time, but I've used full bottles on tanks as low a 8-12 gals without any problems.

$0.02

You misspelled Phoenix, BTW...

 

AWDaholic said it perfectly. Use in moderation or occassial use probably wont cause any issues. Just find out what the contents of the products are. High alcohol contents can cause damage to fuel systems rubber. Not likely considering the cars are designed to use fuel with up to 10 percent ethenol. Some solvents can cause pitting in aluminum parts.