Back when the bug was new in the USA high octane fuel got that way by lots
of additives, mainly Tetraethyl lead.  If your engine didn't run hot enough
[have high enough compression] to burn off this stuff it would clog up your
valves something fierce.  Ask me how I know, but off list please!

Maybe this was the reasoning behind VW's policy.

Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: pierre a. lachance <palachance@CCAPCABLE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 2:13 PM
Subject: octane!

> i do not know if someone can remember this, but in the first years of the
> bug in america, a dealer once told me that if he knew that an  owner had
put
> high octane in his  new car and blew the engine, they would not pay for it
> ...
>
> if my memory is good, compression was around 8.0, and it  was wrong to
pour
> premium gas in...just an old thought!
>
> pierre
>