You just put a higher octane gas in your truck -87- instead of -85- why is engine making weird pinging noises as you give it more throttle?

Using higher-octane fuel (87 instead of 85) in your truck shouldn't cause pinging. Pinging, or detonation, is actually caused by *lower* octane fuel than the engine is designed for. The engine's computer is likely retarding timing to compensate, which can lead to a loss of power but not usually pinging with higher octane fuel.

Since you're experiencing pinging *after* switching to higher octane fuel, something else is likely wrong. Possibilities include:

* Sensor issue: A faulty knock sensor, mass airflow sensor, or other sensor could be providing inaccurate information to the engine control unit (ECU), causing it to misinterpret the higher octane and behave unexpectedly.

* Carbon buildup: Excessive carbon buildup in the combustion chamber can increase the likelihood of detonation even with the correct octane fuel. Higher octane may reveal this problem by slightly changing combustion characteristics.

* Ignition system problem: A faulty spark plug, ignition coil, or wiring could lead to inconsistent ignition, contributing to detonation.

* Mechanical issue: Low compression in one or more cylinders could make the engine more prone to pinging, regardless of the octane rating.

In short: The higher octane fuel isn't the direct cause of the pinging. The change in fuel might have *revealed* an existing problem. You should have your truck inspected by a mechanic to diagnose the root cause. Continuing to drive with pinging can cause significant engine damage.