How do you know if your engine is Pinging?

[bennjamin]

Your check engine light will come on if there is significantly harmful knocking/pinging occurring in your engine

Only on cars with a knock sensor ~

"pinging" can be heard on many cars around the streets , a prime example is cars that are generally older ( +10years) and not taken care off. You can hear them as the person driving under load , up hill or too much accel. makes a "rattle" noise as they go past.

if you are worried about "pinging" - put a higher octane fuel in your car. Or reduce the timing of the distributor. OR both