View Poll Results: how much do you spend on gas for your car per month?
less than $25
1
1.61%
$25 to $50
16
25.81%
$51 to $75
9
14.52%
$76 to $100
20
32.26%
more than $100
16
25.81%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll
The C-Class GAS MILEAGE thread
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
That's definitely low gas mileage, and I don't know the main reason for it, but part of it is because you warm it up so long. It is better for the car to warm up quicker and driving it warms it up quicker, just don't drive it hard until it is warm. You can drive off almost immediately, or give it 5-10 seconds. But 3-5 minutes of idling is just wasting gas.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 340
From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
Do you get the same poor mileage when you drive on the highway?
One quick test: Warm up the car, go to the gas station & fill the tank (note the mileage). Drive on the highway (to whatever destination you may be going to), get off of the highway & fill up again (again noting mileage). Then calculate your mileage. If the number is in the high 20's, then you're probably okay.
If you do primarily stop & go driving (on Long Island, how can you help it), it is possible that mileage this poor is correct.
My C230SportSedan gets 34mpg on the highway, but if my wife drives it for the week (going to her office, in stop/go traffic), then the mileage drops to 18-20mpg (according to the trip computer). This is a pretty significant drop.
If you factor in the 0mpg that you are getting while warming up, this may be the problem.
Keep in mind that if you average 1mpg for the first mile, you would have to use zero fuel for the next mile in order to average 2mpg. Fuel mileage doesn't "average" out like you would think.
After starting the car, let it run for 15-20 seconds, to be certain that the oil pump has had a chance to get the oil up to the valve train, then drive it gently until warmed up. Nothing more is needed to ensure the long life of the car.
It is true that the cars get better mileage as they break in. I made a trip (420miles distance) with only 400miles on the car and got 29.7mpg, made the same trip last week (with 5700miles on the car) and got 34.1mpg!
One quick test: Warm up the car, go to the gas station & fill the tank (note the mileage). Drive on the highway (to whatever destination you may be going to), get off of the highway & fill up again (again noting mileage). Then calculate your mileage. If the number is in the high 20's, then you're probably okay.
If you do primarily stop & go driving (on Long Island, how can you help it), it is possible that mileage this poor is correct.
My C230SportSedan gets 34mpg on the highway, but if my wife drives it for the week (going to her office, in stop/go traffic), then the mileage drops to 18-20mpg (according to the trip computer). This is a pretty significant drop.
If you factor in the 0mpg that you are getting while warming up, this may be the problem.
Keep in mind that if you average 1mpg for the first mile, you would have to use zero fuel for the next mile in order to average 2mpg. Fuel mileage doesn't "average" out like you would think.
After starting the car, let it run for 15-20 seconds, to be certain that the oil pump has had a chance to get the oil up to the valve train, then drive it gently until warmed up. Nothing more is needed to ensure the long life of the car.
It is true that the cars get better mileage as they break in. I made a trip (420miles distance) with only 400miles on the car and got 29.7mpg, made the same trip last week (with 5700miles on the car) and got 34.1mpg!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Yeah, don't run the warm up time past your dealer again. They will probably tell you the same thing. You should listen to people here more. It's already been well proven that the people here know WAY more than the dealers do. 
Guest
Posts: n/a
i agree, don't warm the car up for so long. if anything, a minute will do and then start driven to help the car warm up so more.
also, the mileage is calculated based on time, distance and speed (i'm sure there is other factors). try this. at the "after start" screen, reset it when you start moving and notice any changes in gas mileage. i do that i still get 20mpg, but i'm a heavy footer. however, you can get like 23-28 mpg averages, even in the city, if you drive it like a sane person.
also, the mileage is calculated based on time, distance and speed (i'm sure there is other factors). try this. at the "after start" screen, reset it when you start moving and notice any changes in gas mileage. i do that i still get 20mpg, but i'm a heavy footer. however, you can get like 23-28 mpg averages, even in the city, if you drive it like a sane person.
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Posts: n/a
Originally posted by yeloaw
My dealer told me that the c240's didn't need to be warmed up? Just turn on and drive...
I have a little under 10k w/ no probs. Gas mileage at 23mpg.
My dealer told me that the c240's didn't need to be warmed up? Just turn on and drive...
I have a little under 10k w/ no probs. Gas mileage at 23mpg.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Mercedes 2003 C240 sedan
Gas Mileage Question?
I filled my car up last week and today my gas needle is on 1/2. I drove 170miles since I filled my car. Is this good bad or normal?
Thanks
Baquan
Thanks
Baquan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
That's actually pretty good. The gas tank is about 15 gallons with a small reserve, say that when the needle reads 1/2 you've consumed about 7 gallons, that's 24 mpg, not too shabby. I get about 26 mpg driving to work but that's a 50 mile pure highway commute. When I had a 12 mile commute I was getting about 22 mpg.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 3
From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
that's about right with a mix of highway and city driving. I drive 250 miles / week just to school and back. I get about 25mpg (keep in mind my engine is smaller) and get around 200mi when 1/2 tank comes around. You should be fine!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 3
From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
that's about right with a mix of highway and city driving. I drive 250 miles / week just to school and back. I get about 25mpg (keep in mind my engine is smaller) and get around 200mi when 1/2 tank comes around. You should be fine!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 3
From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
that's about right with a mix of highway and city driving. I drive 250 miles / week just to school and back. I get about 25mpg (keep in mind my engine is smaller) and get around 200mi when 1/2 tank comes around. You should be fine!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Holland. PA
ML320 1998
240 4matic gas milege
Greetings, I have a question about gas mileage.
My wife drives 2003 c240 4matic which gets anywhere from 16 to 19
around town and as high as 25 on highway . We put only the best gasoline (91 and above). Is it an OK mileage? Does anyone get a much better or not?
Thanks,
Tankerdba.
My wife drives 2003 c240 4matic which gets anywhere from 16 to 19
around town and as high as 25 on highway . We put only the best gasoline (91 and above). Is it an OK mileage? Does anyone get a much better or not?
Thanks,
Tankerdba.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Orange Co., CA, USA
'02 C230K Coupe
Ouch, that doesn't sound too good. Even with my fairly agressive driving, I can still keep my trip MPG around 23 or so. The fact that it's a 4matic doesn't mean it should get lower mileage, since the car drives RWD until a low-traction situation occurs. Check your driving habits, also if your oil may be low or something. There's gotta be some reason you can't be getting better mileage (unless other C240 drivers can confirm these numbers).
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: S.E. Wisconsin
'01 E320 4Matic in White/Charcoal...
I had my '01 E320 4matic in for the "A" service and some other stuff recently. They gave me an '04 C240 4matic (with about 16,000 mi.) as a loaner. I ended up spending a week in that car. I drive for economy (with an automatic, all that means is you coast in gear to slow down whenever possible). I got between 23 & 24 around town and 28-29 on the highway, according to the in-dash computer. Obviously I didn't have time to verify those numbers, but they were achieved over the same routes that I drive my car. Overall, the 240 seemed to be about 2-3 mpg better than my car, which is returning a long-term average of 25.5 mpg. I hope this helps...
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Houston
2005 C230 WZ
Better gas mileage with Shell?
Due to habit, I like to burn time when taking trips by keeping track of how much mpg I'm getting on the highway. For the longest time now, I was a believer in Chevron gas as I thought it provided the best overall mileage and performance.
I just noticed the difference in gas mileage this past Thanksgiving weekend as I was doing some traveling from Houston to Dallas. Running low on petro, I couldn't find a Chevron so I decided to stop by the Shell station before I begin my trip. Filled up the tank with 93 octane. While on the trip, I usually set the cruise on 80mph, I switched to my mpg reading on the computer and noticed I was getting better gas mileage on the highway compared to when I dump 93 octane Chevron gas?
I've already taken 2 previous highway trips with full tanks of Chevron 93 octane gas and the best I could get were 28.6 (lowest) to 28.9 (highest) on the Chevron gas?
2005 c230 SS
28.7 mpg @ 80mph (Chevron 93 octane) - 2 people and a dog
30.6 mpg @ 80mph (Shell 93 octane) - 3 people and a dog
I've searched and read on the forum that most people swears by Chevron gas being the best, but now that I noticed I'm getting better mileage with Shell I may just stick with them. Anyone ever noticed this?
I just noticed the difference in gas mileage this past Thanksgiving weekend as I was doing some traveling from Houston to Dallas. Running low on petro, I couldn't find a Chevron so I decided to stop by the Shell station before I begin my trip. Filled up the tank with 93 octane. While on the trip, I usually set the cruise on 80mph, I switched to my mpg reading on the computer and noticed I was getting better gas mileage on the highway compared to when I dump 93 octane Chevron gas?
I've already taken 2 previous highway trips with full tanks of Chevron 93 octane gas and the best I could get were 28.6 (lowest) to 28.9 (highest) on the Chevron gas?
2005 c230 SS
28.7 mpg @ 80mph (Chevron 93 octane) - 2 people and a dog
30.6 mpg @ 80mph (Shell 93 octane) - 3 people and a dog
I've searched and read on the forum that most people swears by Chevron gas being the best, but now that I noticed I'm getting better mileage with Shell I may just stick with them. Anyone ever noticed this?
