I understand octane, I don't understand mothballs in a gastank
I understand that higher octane levels lower the detonation point, etc.
though the thing about lower octane being more random is nothing I have ever heard, maybe higher quality gas but but not octane. by saying that just straight raising the octane level and it making more power, etc doesn't make sense unless the unging is able to advance itself that much. if it is made to run higher octane then you should do it and if you use gas with too low of an octane rating it can usually retard the timing. the only way to get more power out of higher octane is if you advance the timing.

 

negative. Octane rating is basically a fancy word for efficiency of fuel ex. burning, emissions etc. higher burning fuel more detonation meaning more force driving the pistons through the stroke resulting in a slight increase in hp. pre detonation is caused by running to low an octane fuel in a high timed vehicle can cause clattering lower tmied will lose performance because its detonationg too late in the stroke.