[Sleeping Beauty]

4) Educate the public to the fact that 95% of production vehicles run less efficiently on gasoline with octane rating above 87 and having three different grades at the pump drives prices up

You learn something every day at Free Republic. I had no idea....

[eraser2005]

It’s true - the only reason to go for higher octane is if your car REQUIRES it (some really do need it, but those are rare) or your car is pinging or knocking badly. Even then the better thing is to cure the ping or knock rather than cover it up. That can be as simple as a tune-up. Even the nasty cases of carbon build-up can often be cured with a $5 can of Seafoam (that and Techron are the only things I recommend, and Seafoam is the best - even safe for your exhaust system). Use that stuff once or twice a year, keep your car well-maintained and regular should be all you’ll ever need.