How to Use an Octane Booster Step by Step: Guide and FAQ

If it's your first time adding an additive to your fuel tank, it's normal to have questions: how do you use an octane booster?, how much should you add?, do you put it in before or after refuelling?, what exactly is it for? In this guide we explain it step by step using NF Sport Octane Booster as an example, and we answer the questions people ask most often.

What is an octane booster and what is it for?

An octane booster is an additive added to petrol to raise its octane rating (RON). A higher octane rating makes the fuel better able to withstand the pressure and temperature inside the cylinder without self-igniting too early, which helps prevent detonation, also known as engine knock or pinging.

When does it make sense to use an octane booster?

It is especially useful in these cases:

• Sports and high-performance cars, which run at higher pressure and temperature in the combustion chamber.
• Tuned engines (remapping, a bigger turbo, higher compression), which need more octane margin.
• If you fill up with 95 petrol and your engine asks for more, or if you notice knock, pinging or hesitation.
• If your car runs fine on 95 petrol, but you want to take advantage of the other benefits an octane booster offers, such as better acceleration and performance, less engine hesitation and help lowering its operating temperature.
• When you can't find higher-octane petrol or you want to supplement the one you use.

How to use NF Sport Octane Booster step by step

The process is simple and needs no tools:

1. Check that your vehicle runs on petrol. NF Sport Octane Booster is designed to increase the octane rating of petrol.
2. Open the fuel filler cap.
3. Fit the bottle onto the filler neck. According to its product page, it is an easy-to-use bottle that fits directly onto the tank's filler neck.
4. Empty the contents into the tank. One bottle treats 45 to 60 litres of fuel, which is one tank.
5. Close the cap and drive as normal.

The usual practice with fuel tank additives is to add it when refuelling so it mixes well with the fuel, and for any usage detail it's best to follow the instructions on the bottle's label.

How many octane points does a booster add?

It depends on the product. NF Sport Octane Booster instantly increases the octane rating by 5 RON. That means, for example, that on a 95 RON petrol the treated fuel sits 5 points higher.

What improvements does NF Sport Octane Booster provide?

According to its product page, NF Sport Octane Booster eliminates detonation, knocking, pinging and pinking, improves acceleration and vehicle performance, reduces engine hesitation and helps lower operating temperature. It is also safe for oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. It is designed for sports and high-performance vehicles.

Common mistakes when using an octane additive

• Expecting it to fix a fault: an additive helps with the fuel's octane rating, but it doesn't replace a repair if the knock comes from a mechanical fault.
• Using it in a diesel vehicle: NF Sport Octane Booster is for petrol. For diesel there is a specific additive (NF Diesel Boost).
• Not paying attention to capacity: one bottle is designed to treat a 45 to 60 litre tank.

You can check the full product page, with all the data and the current price, at NF Sport Octane Booster, within the octane boosters category at NF Booster Europe.

Frequently asked questions about how to use an octane booster

How do you use an octane booster?

You empty the contents of the bottle into the petrol tank. In the case of NF Sport Octane Booster, the bottle fits directly onto the filler neck, and one bottle treats 45 to 60 litres of fuel.

Do you add it before or after refuelling?

The usual practice with fuel tank additives is to add it when refuelling so it mixes well with the fuel, and it's best to follow the instructions on the bottle's label.

How many litres does a bottle of NF Sport Octane Booster treat?

One bottle treats 45 to 60 litres of fuel, which is one tank.

How many octane points does it add?

It instantly increases the octane rating by 5 RON.

Is it safe for the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors?

Yes, according to its product page it is safe for oxygen sensors and catalytic converters.

Does it work in diesel cars?

No, NF Sport Octane Booster is designed to increase the octane rating of petrol. For diesel there is NF Diesel Boost, which increases the cetane rating.

What type of car is it recommended for?

It is designed for sports and high-performance vehicles, but cars that run on 95 petrol can also use it to take advantage of its other benefits: better acceleration and performance, less engine hesitation and help lowering its operating temperature.

What should I do if it still knocks after using it?

If the engine keeps knocking or hesitating, have it checked at a workshop, because the cause may be mechanical and an additive is not a substitute for repair.