A method for preventing or reducing engine knock or pre-ignition in a high compression spark ignition engine lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition that contains at least one branched hydrocarbon having at least about 25% of the carbons in the form of methyl groups, or at least one polyol ester of at least one branched mono-carboxylic acid. A lubricating engine oil having a composition that contains at least one branched hydrocarbon having at least about 25% of the carbons in the form of methyl groups, or at least one polyol ester of at least one branched mono-carboxylic acid. The lubricating engine oils are useful as passenger vehicle engine oil (PVEO) products.