Ok, thanks for the answers so far.

Here are a couple of questions:

Can I use 87 octane gas? I know the engine management system senses knock (I think on each cylinder) and should compensate with lower power. That's ok, I'm coming from a 300D with almost a half million miles so the power is not an issue. The potential for damaging the engine is. What's the professional opinion. Has anyone run one of these sixes long-term on low octane gas?

There are two rocker switches on the console to the right of the defroster and headrest buttons - what are they? One looks like a key in a pouch and the other looks like a filled in arrow and a hollow arrow between a rectangle with dots or dashes in it).

Thanks!

__________________
1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer