Does octane booster work?

[mrfixit]

Andy, the 85 you came across was actually E-85.
E-85 is an alcohol fuel mixture that typically contains a mixture of up to 85% denatured fuel ethanol and gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume. On an undenatured basis, the ethanol component ranges from 70% to 83%. E85 as a fuel is becoming increasingly common in the States, mainly here in the Midwest, since corn and soybeans are a major crop and is the primary source materials for ethanol fuel production; currently there are about 1500+ filling stations selling E85 to the public in the US.
I have run it in my 02 (since CASEYS sells it) and have not seen any adverse effects.
Chris, if you want that super-high octane, go to the regional airport.

 

[andym]

No, it said "85 octane" right on the sticker. This was back in 2003 or so, long before E-85 was widely available. There wasn't anything that indicated it was anything other than gas.

It was in a very rural area. They had two grades, 85 and 87.

 

[john112deere]

Not so fast, Tom...

Plenty of stations at higher altitudes sell 85 octane gasoline as "regular" with the 87 being mid-grade.

I know I've bought it in CO, and I believe I have in UT, too.

*In MN and SD this May, they were selling 87 octane gas $.10 more than 89 octane...because the 89 had more ethanol.

 

[mrfixit]

The requirement to post the ethanol content has been rescinded. Most ethanol fuel does not SAY ethanol.

On edit, I re-read where you said it was 03, It has been sold out here since then, at least, but was marked clearly back then.

I'm not saying 85 is impossible; I do know it works well in higher and extremely cold environments because it has such a low flashpoint.