Gas Mileage
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Gas Mileage
I average about 23-24 mpg on the highway and refill about every 7 days. I drive 45 miles each day total back and forth. I've recently been too enraged to pay for premium 93 octane gas and have been putting mid grade 89 in the 190E. To my utter shock my gas mileage improved on that tank of gas over the previous with premium! Not by very much I must admit but I was able to break past 300 miles without the fuel light coming on. It usually comes on around 305 every week. Was able to go 325 without the fuel light on. What could be the reason behind this? I drive the same way every day I drive between 50-60mph every day never pushing above 70. Thought it was strange. Your thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
There are too many variables. Air temp and humidity play a role in fuel economy, as does tire pressures, use of air conditioning, wind resistance, acceleration rates, it just goes on and on.
Don't confuse octane numbers with fuel economy or "power." Since that number merely denotes the gasoline's resistance to detonation under pressure, not "bigger bang." The best advice anyone can give on fuel is to use the lowest octane which the engine will run without predetonation (aka "ping") especially since the 190E does not have knock sensors which would adjust the engine timing if there were predetonation.
Owners in high elevations, desert climates and high ambient temperatures might consider a higher than normal octane.
Premium fuels tend to contain more detergents and cleaners in them than the conveniece store no-name pumps. If you do buy gas at the same place that you get a lottery ticket or a Big Gulp, throw some Techron or other fuel additive in every other fill up.
Don't confuse octane numbers with fuel economy or "power." Since that number merely denotes the gasoline's resistance to detonation under pressure, not "bigger bang." The best advice anyone can give on fuel is to use the lowest octane which the engine will run without predetonation (aka "ping") especially since the 190E does not have knock sensors which would adjust the engine timing if there were predetonation.
Owners in high elevations, desert climates and high ambient temperatures might consider a higher than normal octane.
Premium fuels tend to contain more detergents and cleaners in them than the conveniece store no-name pumps. If you do buy gas at the same place that you get a lottery ticket or a Big Gulp, throw some Techron or other fuel additive in every other fill up.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Central California
1992 190E 2.6
I have the same problem. Before the gas hike, I would fill up with nothing but 91 Chevron. But now that the price is just over $3.40 a gallon, I downgraded to 89 at the local Valero. Surprisingly, I also got better gas mileage out of the full tank with Valero. Another thing I did was changed the air filter with a K&N. A quick suggestion I received from a buddy is fill up at night. This might sound weird but I actually get a bit more than if I fill up during the day. I heard of a fuel ionizer on ebay is supposed to work but haven't seen anyone actually put it to the test http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Super...spagenameZWDVW.
Last edited by ponch_a_rallys; Mar 30, 2007 at 03:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
I've heard that filling up in the morning and at night means you'll get more bang for your buck because the fuel is more dense or less dense one of the two. Can't remember. Jeremy Clarkson said so when he drove an Audi A8 diesel non stop in England.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, England
1993 Mercedes 190E
I am currently cummuting to work 137 miles per journey and all but a few miles of this is done at a steady 70 mph (honest, officer, only 70 mph). My 190E is returning around 33 - 34 mpg, and I guess this means there can't be much wrong with it.
With petrol now costing about £4-00/gallon here in impoverished Britain we need economy cars like Mercedes.
With petrol now costing about £4-00/gallon here in impoverished Britain we need economy cars like Mercedes.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
1990 190E 2.6
Kepla: Are those UK gallons? That would make your gallon go 20% further.
However I recently purchased a 1990 190e 2.6 (manual) for commuting and was pleasantly surprised to do almost 400 miles on 12.5 - 13 (US) gallons: over 30 mpg on mostly Highway, but lots of SF-Bay Area traffic.
However I recently purchased a 1990 190e 2.6 (manual) for commuting and was pleasantly surprised to do almost 400 miles on 12.5 - 13 (US) gallons: over 30 mpg on mostly Highway, but lots of SF-Bay Area traffic.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Monument, CO
95 Bronco w/351 V8 & 2003 Mustang MACH 1
For higher elevations, they say you can use lower octane (we are probably the only state left with 85 octane. we have 85, 87, and 91) b/c of the thinner air. I live in CO but still stick with the 91 octane and still get the EPA estimates for my cars..
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
