kenobee

Hi,
I just moved to Minnesota and have a 2013 GLK250. Unfortunately, Minnesota increases all diesel to b10-b20 in the summer months. Any insight in addressing this issue? Is MB going to change their warranty or recommendation for oil changes, etc? I didn't know this before moving here. It is a law, not an incentive, so there are no alternatives for diesel passenger vehicles.

boardboy330

Not exactly on topic but I am curious about the use of "off road diesel" as well. I know MBUSA takes a hard line on fuels but does anyone have an answer?

listerone

Not only would it almost certainly void your warranty...it's also illegal.IIRC it's a Federal offense.

boardboy330

It's only illegal if I am on the road. If I am at the drag strip where I need the extra lubricity when injecting propane, then it's legal. But this doesn't answer my question. And I have no warranty on my 2005.

Rdub

I think it is best to ask a (your) MN state servicing MB dealer. The answer is muddled @ best. MB MIGHT adjudicate the B 20 vs maximum B5 issue on a case by case basis.

JimBarnhart

Welcome to Minnesota, if you do some searching on the forums there's a few threads on biodiesel (check X166 forum, this forum, etc).

I did some research back in 2013 on this topic. I talked to MBUSA given I had a 6 month old GL350. The conclusion I got from them is it would be on a case by case basis if there was a problem from using greater that B5. I seriously looked at trading my vehicle in for a gasser, but decided not to.

My MB dealer have had a good relationship over the years, and they said they'd also do everything they could should I have a problem

I talked with a couple of diesel guys in Minnesota. One was a government employee, one was a fuel 'advocate'. The advocate said he'd been running B20 in his ML350 and never had a problem, his view is that up to B20 has no impact on the engine.

My assessment is that we are gambling. There's a non-zero chance of an engine failure, followed by a non-zero chance it's caused by biodiesel, followed by a fact that we are running >B5 which isn't supported. So we are at the mercy of MBUSA. I don't lay awake at night worrying about this, but I do acknowledge it's a risk.

I'm still driving my GL350, haven't had any issues, and love the vehicle.

Carsy

Any chance of having B5 or straight diesel delivered in a 50 gallon drum to your garage on a regular basis. This is a normal occurrence in rural Australia & can be cheaper than retail. It is quiet easy to fit a manual pump.

efzauner

The question to ask MBUSA is: how come they are selling diesels in Minnesota if no fuel is available?

rogerelm

I have same problem with my 2014 ML350 Blue tech. I was told by dealer to change oil more often. I change every 4k miles not 10k as recommended by MB. Who in their right mind leaves oil in that long? So the stuff is $12 quart and no longer available. MB has no service section in owners book how to maintain the vehicle. I will never buy another one from them. This is a $60k vehicle and they will not tell you how to reset service light? I suppose I will have to make 90 mile one way trip to dealer in TC and spend the day doing it. Only MB dealers are TC metro area. As for fuel and low oil prices this state needs to go to straight fuel and quit worrying about raising the tax on it. B% is the best. I have 300 gal drum in shed of farm diesel. My 02 Ford Pwer Stroke can use this crap it does not have all the emission bs on it.

samaritrey

what is $12 a quart and no longer available?
As for maintenance I don't think any car really comes with details on resting the lights anymore and 4k is crazy unless you are running the high blends of biodiesel. You can look up on here how to reset the light so you can do your own oil changes and save yourself the trip. The approved 229.51 oil is easy to get most napas, advanced autos ect carry the Mobil 1 0w-30 ESP that just replaced the 5w-40ESP or you can still get 5W-30ESP.

kurtismayfield

Well um,
My owners manual has a maintenance section and I follow it. FSS tells me when oil service is due and I change it, roughly every 13,000 miles. Your $60k vehicle monitors your oil quality and alerts you to service. If you think that is too long an interval, you can have Blackstone analyze your oil. My CDI is 9 years old (assembled 4/06) and not even broken in yet!


A little research here in the forum will gain you the info or when nicely asked, many members can detail how to reset the service indicator.


Regarding your state and it's fuel prices, type and tax rate, have you considered moving? Have you complained to your appropriate representative or just whined to everyone here??


Lastly, I think you should go smack the guy that forced you to buy it without doing any do diligence twice. Once for you and once for us!!


Cheers

JimBarnhart

I sold my GL350 recently, partially due to the warranty issues from MB. I still have a diesel RAM truck, but they honor 20% biodiesel.

I saw this article, might be an interesting development.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/...diesel-mandate