It's surprising to me that all the "experts" here (I'm not talking to you professionals) don't know, that high octane fuel is less volatile than lower octane fuels. HIGH octane fuel has a more controlled conflagration rate (it burns slower) than lower octane fuels. Low octane fuel is more volatile and and less controllable than high octane fuel. The reason you get detonation problems from low octane fuel, is from an uncontrolled burn AKA pre ignition!! (the fuel starts to burn under compression or a spark /hot spot in the cylinder ) HIGH octane fuel "burns slower and is less volatile", so you can more precisely determine the "EXPLOSION" point of the fuel in the combustion chamber.