From: indira@ghandi.net   
      
   Tom Del Rosso wrote:   
      
   >> The Compass manual recommends 87 octane. Is that just for power or   
   >> would it be damaged by regular?   
   >   
   > That should read 89.   
      
   Assuming USA Octane ratings (which are the average of research octane and   
   motor octane values), it won't make a difference in almost all situations.   
      
   The octane rating is merely the tendency to ping (or not ping) which   
   happens when the compression ratio or heat or load is such that the flame   
   front proceeds too quickly.   
      
   The spark timing can be retarded in almost all (if not all) modern engines   
   to prevent any damage from occurring (due to knock sensor input &   
   electronic ignition system output).   
      
   The worst that will happen in most modern engines is slightly retarded   
   timing under maximum load (e.g., accelerating up a hill or towing a load).   
      
   What will really happen in almost all circumstances is... nothing.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)