# Octane column: Meh. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 11, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/octane-column-meh/268547 "2004-10-11T01:03:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/octane-column-meh/268547/21 "2004-10-12T15:04:48Z")
Oddly, you can- if the savings are worth it- fill your tank with half of each. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/octane-column-meh/268547/22 "2004-10-12T15:49:08Z")
> [@engrken](#): > > I enjoyed the treatment of octane ratings but would like to add some detail that might be useful. The distinction between detonation and pre-ignition… > > \>SNIP\< > > Detonation and the silent killer pre-ignition are separate processes which can occur in any combination. Thanks, Ken. I was going to highlight this little miss myself, but I couldn’t find a reliable cite (other than my brother the mechanic). BTW, welcome on board! Hope you decide to stay. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/octane-column-meh/268547/23 "2004-10-12T15:49:42Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > Yesterday, I decided to RTFM. According to VW, I should be using 91 (R+M/2). The only flavors availible to me are 93 or 89, so is it better to go up two points or down two points? Switch off buying premium and regular? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/octane-column-meh/268547.md?page=1)