Suitability of Non-Ethanol Fuel
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9
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From: South Florida
Mercedes Benz GLK350
Suitability of Non-Ethanol Fuel
The addition of up to 10% ethanol in motor fuel here in the United States has been a huge mistake. This fuel is not suitable for marine and small engine applications. The ethanol component in the fuel costs more to produce than is justified by any imagined improvement in emissions. It also reduces engine performance.
I have begun using a 90 octane so-called recreational fuel in my Buick that has a V-8 Northstar engine. Since then the engine has run quieter, performed better and the fuel mileage has increased. The price of this fuel varies, from what you would pay for mid-grade ethanol blend fuel to premium.
Has anybody tried no ethanol fuel in their Mercedes and if so what were the results?
I have begun using a 90 octane so-called recreational fuel in my Buick that has a V-8 Northstar engine. Since then the engine has run quieter, performed better and the fuel mileage has increased. The price of this fuel varies, from what you would pay for mid-grade ethanol blend fuel to premium.
Has anybody tried no ethanol fuel in their Mercedes and if so what were the results?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Try this
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp
select your state along the bottom.
Ethanol has less energy than gasoline per gal so ethanol has poorer mileage. Also there is winter gas (oxygenated = less mileage), and Summer gas(= better mileage) in the urban areas with more smog potential.
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp
select your state along the bottom.
Ethanol has less energy than gasoline per gal so ethanol has poorer mileage. Also there is winter gas (oxygenated = less mileage), and Summer gas(= better mileage) in the urban areas with more smog potential.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Mercedes Benz GLK350
I am already familiar with the link you provided, but thank you for posting it in case somebody else might benefit from knowing where to purchase this fuel.
The GLK350 Owner's manual states that the vehicle should run on 91 octane. Most of the RE fuel is 90 octane. Would it be harmful to run this on a sustained basis?
The GLK350 Owner's manual states that the vehicle should run on 91 octane. Most of the RE fuel is 90 octane. Would it be harmful to run this on a sustained basis?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 771
Likes: 7
From: Waikele, Oahu, Hawaii
2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
should be ok to put non-ethanol gas in our cars....most are sold near the marina because marine engines gets messed up using ethanol gas.
this may sound crazy to most of you, but back in the 70s my uncle put moth ***** in his tank...suppose to increase octane. there is a local car mechanic guy that still does it today. my neighbor drops moth ***** in his 10 gall gas containers...let it dissolve, then pour it in his tanks...he swears by the "ummmph" is provides.
this may sound crazy to most of you, but back in the 70s my uncle put moth ***** in his tank...suppose to increase octane. there is a local car mechanic guy that still does it today. my neighbor drops moth ***** in his 10 gall gas containers...let it dissolve, then pour it in his tanks...he swears by the "ummmph" is provides.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 771
Likes: 7
From: Waikele, Oahu, Hawaii
2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
Today I believe the compound is paradichlorobenzene....don't put these in your tank...LOL!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,119
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
been running 94 octance fuel on the GLK that doesn't contain ethanol and I find it to be more fuel efficient and has more ummph.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Mercedes Benz GLK350
The 90 octane fuel is fine for the Buick with the Northstar engine, because it can run on 87 octane. However I want some opinions on whether 90 octane non ethanol fuel would cause harm in the GLK, which requires 91 octane.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
New's Eve in a tiny town in NW Louisiana the only thing available was 89 octane ethanol free gasoline. I put it in on top of 3-4 gallons of 93 octane ethanol blend. The GLK ran fine.
If I had a choice between two pumps, 1 @ 90 ethanol free and 1 @ 91+ ethanol blend I would use the ethanol free. No science. Just my personal feeling.
Most pumps I have used in the past 6 years are labeled 93 octane. I assume in a worst case that they would be 91 octane minimum. 3 cars and a bunch of miles and they ran fine.
Ethanol free would be better. We won't go into that for forum manners reasons.
Wayne
If I had a choice between two pumps, 1 @ 90 ethanol free and 1 @ 91+ ethanol blend I would use the ethanol free. No science. Just my personal feeling.
Most pumps I have used in the past 6 years are labeled 93 octane. I assume in a worst case that they would be 91 octane minimum. 3 cars and a bunch of miles and they ran fine.
Ethanol free would be better. We won't go into that for forum manners reasons.
Wayne
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
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ML 350
ML 350
Yes my ML350 runs fine on ethanol free 90! And I never had problems with it! Sometimes I mix Lucas octane booster 3X with Royal purple fuel system cleaner (Both of those I get at Walmart) And I would put the ethanol free gas Just to go on a nice long road trip! Let's just say the results of doing that turned out fantastic! I literally got 976 miles out of the tank
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Joined: Sep 2013
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Yes my ML350 runs fine on ethanol free 90! And I never had problems with it! Sometimes I mix Lucas octane booster 3X with Royal purple fuel system cleaner (Both of those I get at Walmart) And I would put the ethanol free gas Just to go on a nice long road trip! Let's just say the results of doing that turned out fantastic! I literally got 976 miles out of the tank
But my curiosity is piqued. 976 miles = 60 MPG. Or am I missing something?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: WI
GLK 250
One of the benefits (there are a few) of driving diesels most of my life is that there usually is only one kind at the pump. There may be 3 different varieties of gasoline available, with their differences, but only one diesel pump.
Not too long ago I found that some Cenex fueling stations have premium diesel! Imagine my delight!
As long as the fuel is treated for winter months, I don't really care what they put (or don't put) in it. I typically always add a dose of some fuel additive or another anyway.
Oh, and even with a light foot and a tail wind, I've never managed to get more than 720 miles out of a full tank of diesel which is about 15.5 gallons.
Not too long ago I found that some Cenex fueling stations have premium diesel! Imagine my delight!
As long as the fuel is treated for winter months, I don't really care what they put (or don't put) in it. I typically always add a dose of some fuel additive or another anyway.
Oh, and even with a light foot and a tail wind, I've never managed to get more than 720 miles out of a full tank of diesel which is about 15.5 gallons.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,369
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From: WI
GLK 250
I'm partial to Stanadyne or Amsoil diesel additives, mostly because these are the two most readily found in my neck of the woods. If you can find Opti Lube additives, these scored among the very highest in an independent test done several years ago (The Spicer Report, see here). Power Service white bottle is OK, nothing fancy or special. I've also used Howe's diesel treat and a few others.
But if I had to recommend one above the others, particularly for winter, I'd go with Opti Lube stuff or the Amsoil. My local ACE carries the Amsoil and I always find other things to buy when I'm there.
According to that report, some additives actually hurt performance rather than improve it, so clearly not all fuel additives are created equal.
Also, keep in mind that MB says "no fuel additives" so take the above with a grain of salt, as YOU are responsible for YOUR equipment.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 65
Likes: 25
From: CT
'21 GLC 300, '13 C300 Sport
Thanks; for anyone who can't find a good product locally, I found the Optilube products on Amazon. Got a bottle of Winter formula that treats 128 gallons. The XPD formula seems to be a good all round additive, with anti-gel protection almost as good as the Winter formula, just a little more expensive.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2
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2015 GLK350
Ethanol free gas
The addition of up to 10% ethanol in motor fuel here in the United States has been a huge mistake. This fuel is not suitable for marine and small engine applications. The ethanol component in the fuel costs more to produce than is justified by any imagined improvement in emissions. It also reduces engine performance.
I have begun using a 90 octane so-called recreational fuel in my Buick that has a V-8 Northstar engine. Since then the engine has run quieter, performed better and the fuel mileage has increased. The price of this fuel varies, from what you would pay for mid-grade ethanol blend fuel to premium.
Has anybody tried no ethanol fuel in their Mercedes and if so what were the results?
I have begun using a 90 octane so-called recreational fuel in my Buick that has a V-8 Northstar engine. Since then the engine has run quieter, performed better and the fuel mileage has increased. The price of this fuel varies, from what you would pay for mid-grade ethanol blend fuel to premium.
Has anybody tried no ethanol fuel in their Mercedes and if so what were the results?
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2015 GLK350
I just registered and this is my first post so I didn't see the gas station link had already been posted, my apologies. I notice that you are in the Sunshine State as well, so our driving conditions are similar.
