'06 C280 - Regular unleaded gas??
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C-280
'06 C280 - Regular unleaded gas??
Hey guys,
I'm going to be purchasing my father's 2006 C280 once he gets his new car and he's been putting regular 87 in it. He says he's had no problems in over a year and a half. What are your expert thoughts on this and does it/will it ruin anything?
Thanks!!
-- C
I'm going to be purchasing my father's 2006 C280 once he gets his new car and he's been putting regular 87 in it. He says he's had no problems in over a year and a half. What are your expert thoughts on this and does it/will it ruin anything?
Thanks!!
-- C
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: WNY
2005 w203 C230
Using a lower octane rated gasoline on an engine that requires a higher octane rating can cause engine damage and knocking, so it is advisable to use the recommended octane for high performance engines.
Your father's ECU has been constantly correcting and retarding the timing to insure that there is no knock. He has also not been getting a full burn, and more waste in heaver form is finding it's way to the valve train, CATs, etc.
Use the proper grade fuel...if you don't want to put 91 in your Mercedes-Benz...well, mom always said if you don't have something nice to say...
Your father's ECU has been constantly correcting and retarding the timing to insure that there is no knock. He has also not been getting a full burn, and more waste in heaver form is finding it's way to the valve train, CATs, etc.
Use the proper grade fuel...if you don't want to put 91 in your Mercedes-Benz...well, mom always said if you don't have something nice to say...
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Use the best gas money can buy to prevent running retarded & one that contains an inlet system cleaner like Techron.
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Chicago-ish
2005 c230 S.S.
. discount gasoline on the other hand..
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 3
From: Chicago-ish
2005 c230 S.S.
im not saying it sucks because all gas has to meet certain state and federal guidelines in terms of weight, concentration and stuff. i think its my mind playing games on me i just feel like i get more mpg's and better performance when i put in shell vs a discount gas.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
+1 on everything everyone said.
Just start using 91 or higher (make sure you stick with it!) for now on and remember the better quality the gas (chevron), the better.
And just because, add a shot of techron concentrate fuel system cleaner and add a full tank of the premium grade chevron gas next time you fill up. You will definately feel a difference in drivability instantly since im pretty sure your inlet system is not in its best condition right now and that the octane rating your running is low.
Your engine is probably begging you for some real 'high explosive jungle juice' us americans call premium unleaded gas for a long time, and todays the day.
Just start using 91 or higher (make sure you stick with it!) for now on and remember the better quality the gas (chevron), the better.
And just because, add a shot of techron concentrate fuel system cleaner and add a full tank of the premium grade chevron gas next time you fill up. You will definately feel a difference in drivability instantly since im pretty sure your inlet system is not in its best condition right now and that the octane rating your running is low.
Your engine is probably begging you for some real 'high explosive jungle juice' us americans call premium unleaded gas for a long time, and todays the day.
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
My grandfather always ran 87 in my car. When I got it, I just ran an additive injector cleaner through the system with a tank of gas, and run premium always. My car's fine.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Some on here could run $12/gal 134 octane fuel and still be quite retarded. Sometimes, that has less to do with the gas and more to do with the driver.
Drew - you're not a good example. Your car had like 6 miles on it when you got it. And look at the rim that's all beat up!
Drew - you're not a good example. Your car had like 6 miles on it when you got it. And look at the rim that's all beat up!
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I haven't done any damage to the car... it was like that when I got it after those 6 miles. I was just trying to advise running some cleaner through the engine and don't put swill in it ever again.
I was almost forced to put 87 in my car last week actually. I was on empty and the only gas station only had 87 octane. I decided to press on, running on faith, and found a real gas station. I thought that I had screwed myself.
I was almost forced to put 87 in my car last week actually. I was on empty and the only gas station only had 87 octane. I decided to press on, running on faith, and found a real gas station. I thought that I had screwed myself.
Last edited by bdgdl08; Aug 11, 2009 at 12:16 AM. Reason: I don't got good grammar.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
LOL I did that "on faith" thing today. It took 16.1 gallons to fill my car, with just a 16.4 capacity, that was close. It had said "0 Miles" for a while. The dealership I use has a fleet of C300s they only put 87 in. Both the Benz and 135i get GA 93 octane top-tier fuels. I thought this was more critical in cars with forced induction, but I could be wrong. The G37 was forced to use 87 during a gas shortage in several tanks and it didn't run any differently. I don't think you'll hurt them, but you should still use the recommended fuel.
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
Your range goes to 0? Mine gets down to around 15 and then just starts showing a picture of a car at a gas pump. Scared the hell out of me the first time I did it. I was on the interstate, watching my range, and suddenly nothing. I stopped immediately.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Yes, that picture of the car at the pump came in later years. My car doesn't have that, ever. My range starts at 454 (every fill up) and will end with 0. As soon as it says 0 miles, it will hold about 15.6 gallons. It's pretty accurate. The G37's "Range" function infuriated me. It would be at 45 one second and 10 seconds later be flashing "- - - -". My 2005 has what I think is the perfect range feature and it sucks to know that Benz has gone to the new craze of ridiculously paranoid ones.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
They don't advise the premium gas for fun or profit, they simply require the higher octane gas to run properly and consistently. Use the right gas, maybe talk to your mechanic and ask if there are any cleaners you can add to a few tankfuls to clean any residue that may have built up. For the life of me, I can't understand buying a Mercedes Benz and then trying to save $100/year on cheap gas. I always use 92 or 93 and I would not even consider putting anything less in it.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Nuevo México
2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
They don't advise the premium gas for fun or profit, they simply require the higher octane gas to run properly and consistently. Use the right gas, maybe talk to your mechanic and ask if there are any cleaners you can add to a few tankfuls to clean any residue that may have built up. For the life of me, I can't understand buying a Mercedes Benz and then trying to save $100/year on cheap gas. I always use 92 or 93 and I would not even consider putting anything less in it.
Also, try to get Top Tier gasolines (www.toptiergas.com).
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
They don't advise the premium gas for fun or profit, they simply require the higher octane gas to run properly and consistently. Use the right gas, maybe talk to your mechanic and ask if there are any cleaners you can add to a few tankfuls to clean any residue that may have built up. For the life of me, I can't understand buying a Mercedes Benz and then trying to save $100/year on cheap gas. I always use 92 or 93 and I would not even consider putting anything less in it.
Sometimes it's for running consistently. Sometimes it is because the manufacturer got the best HP/TQ numbers with premium. And sometimes it is total and complete BS - like when Honda used the J30 engine in the 1998 Accord and 1998 Acura CL. Same engine, same numbers but the Acura badge made the car require premium.
All grades of gas have detergents. The idea that you may as well dump tar in the tank if you use 87 is rubbish. All this talk of "OMG use cleaner to clean the build-up" is dramatic and unnecessary. Use the octane it asks for, but don't buy into this the-world-will-end-if-you-use-87 stuff.
Lastly, the W203 is hardly an expensive car anymore. Ownership of one doesn't wealthy.
