Fuel additives

I use it on classic and high performance engines when 100 octane is not available.
In Italy (and probably Europe) regular unleaded fuel should be at least 96 octane, I believe.
I always have a couple of bottles of additive with me, just in case.
On classic engines, it seems to have an anti-knock effect, which, to be honest, is very mild if at all present on regular.
On newer engines, I can't see any difference, probably because of the automatic anti-knock systems.
However, I don't have any ultra high performance recent engines, I mostly have classic cars and bikes, but only 1 brand new car and 1 brand new bike, neither is a Ferrari or high performance.
I have, however, personally whitnessed some noticeable knock effect on friends' German high performance cars. They all greatly benefit from any octane booster, to the extent that the problem completely disappeared. Of course, all these cars only show that kind of problem on regular. They run great and seamlessly on 100 octane fuel. I don't know if thats happening with Ferrari's. The only one I know of is a 458 speciale, which is only fuelled with 100 octane from the same gas station, to my knowledge.
I remember that in the states regular and premium are available, but nothing else.
As per the brands, I tried a few, with similar results.
Among the widely available, I can mention STP, Bardhal and Lucas, the latter being my favorite, although I can't honestly say there's any noticable difference. It's probably just because of the mix ratio.
I was also given a niche brand once, used in racing. I don't remember the name, but it didn't seem to do anything that other brands don't.
I would also suggest to do some online research, as all of these product promise an increase in equivalent octane level that does not live to the hype when properly tested.
So, to sum it up, to me if it runs smooth and you can't see any difference, then probably I wouldn't bother.
But if you see any improvement, no matter how minor, then I would go for it. To me the cost is negligible and I feel good doing anything I can to look after my loved cars and bikes the best I can.



Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

 

I use fuel additive to stabilize the fuel, as some of my cars might sit for a month or two before it gets driven (they are on a rotation schedule).

 

Fuel preservative, like Stabil, for extended/long-term storage (or if you don't drive your car much). Occasionally a fuel system cleaner, like Chevron Techron, if you aren't always filling up with "Top Tier" gas. Otherwise, no.

 

STA-BILL for winterizing and Lucas for cleaning and conditioning injectors and fuel system. Been doing this for years on every FE vehicle I own.