Can I Save Money and Run Low Octane? Wrong!
Here is a dyno chart showing two different cars. When I dynoed one of these cars, I knew that something was immediately wrong! Guess which one? Notice that the 89 Octane car's power curves are very jagged. This is a result of the car "hearing" knocking and pinging and desperately trying to adjust the timing and save the engine. The ECU is almost searching for the best advance and having quite some trouble, not good.
The stunning results of running the lower grade fuel are -22 ft/lbs and almost -19 HP!!!! Ouch!
Folks, don't abuse the knock sensing capabilities of you beloved car. Let's just stick to the good stuff!