Mothballs To Boost Mileage?

Old school drag racers can tell you - to boost your gas mileage and power by adding 1-3 mothballs, which are pure ether, to your gas tank! No more than 3 or you will burn holes in your pistons!

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, MO

Editor's Note: This appears to be a tip that people used 50 years ago when octanes levels were much lower than today and engines were much simpler. With today's high octane, filters and advanced fuel injection systems, we wouldn't remcommend introducing anything into your tank other than gas and an approved fuel additive.

Here's a few links about the topic if you are interested in learning more but I wouldn't recommend experimenting with a car that you need.

Here's a link about that states you must use napthalene moth balls in order for this to work.

• http://www.georgenitta.com/mothballs/mothballs.htm

Here's a small write up on the Myth Busters website that labels it as plausible: "On a slightly different variation, they tested whether or not adding moth balls increases the octane of your gas. When they revved the engine it apparently sounded better. plausible"

• http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2004/07/mythbusters_scuba_diver_in_a_f.html

Here's a discussion about this topic on the Discovery Channel website:

• http://community.discoverychannel.ca/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/36810831/m/645103282