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: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally Posted by MBc230
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?
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
It could be a number of factors... I worked for Chevron a few years back and spent a quite a bit of time up at headquarters in San Ramon. I was fortunate enough to travel over to the labs in Concord where they do all their R&D and the like. In honest tests, the carbon build up on the valves with Chevron gas is substantially lower then the competing firms. Ever since that point i've always filled my car up with Chevron, even if I have to go out of my way to do so.
The big 3 also use Chevron for their EPA tests... More so (for me at least), it's supporting a company that truly cares about people and the environment.
The big 3 also use Chevron for their EPA tests... More so (for me at least), it's supporting a company that truly cares about people and the environment.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Houston
2005 C230 WZ
Originally Posted by vadim
Maybe the outside temperature was lower on your last trip? That would make the S/C more efficient which would improve the fuel economy. Could be wind, too. At 80 mph drag is quite substantial.
All in all, I haven't noticed any difference in performance between the Techron or Vpower which these two carry. I guess I'll just stick to these two company's for now!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
In the northeast, Shell, BP, Texaco and a lot of the smaller chains (Raceway, Getty, Gulf etc.) all get their gas from the same refineries. As far as mileage or addatives, I doubt that any of these companies offers anything different unless it's added at the stations.
Each has their own price structure based seemingly on location, but it's all the same fuel. Ironically, Exxon/Mobil competes only with Sunoco (and each other) in a higher priced market.
Each has their own price structure based seemingly on location, but it's all the same fuel. Ironically, Exxon/Mobil competes only with Sunoco (and each other) in a higher priced market.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Houston
2005 C230 WZ
Originally Posted by Rick
In the northeast, Shell, BP, Texaco and a lot of the smaller chains (Raceway, Getty, Gulf etc.) all get their gas from the same refineries. As far as mileage or addatives, I doubt that any of these companies offers anything different unless it's added at the stations.
Each has their own price structure based seemingly on location, but it's all the same fuel. Ironically, Exxon/Mobil competes only with Sunoco (and each other) in a higher priced market.
Each has their own price structure based seemingly on location, but it's all the same fuel. Ironically, Exxon/Mobil competes only with Sunoco (and each other) in a higher priced market.
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 988
Likes: 0
From: Encino
2002 C230K
shell will give you good mileage. but fill up only on shell for a couple thousand miles, and you'll start noticing some lag in the throttle or rather lack of power. this is why i stopped using shell. i was getting phenomenal mileage, but the car was rather unhappy. chevron is the best combo of mileage, and smooth engine running. texaco seems to make the car more raucous, but at the same time, you hear the engine more at idle with it. mobil is about same as chevron. i mean, this is all ym experience, YMMV, literally.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
Originally Posted by MBc230
That's more of an urban legend. No gas is the same. If you go to a Racetrack and dump some 93 octane petro, you will know a difference in the performance of your vehicle compared to dumping at a Chevron or Exxon station.
If this is the stuff 'urban legends' are made of....so be it.
Administrator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 15,769
Likes: 37
From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Didn't buellwinkel discuss/post the inner workings of this before? I believe he gave a pretty good explanation of the additive add in/on, etc and why the same truck can deliver different stations. Alas, I too lazy to search for his post this early in the am. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally Posted by Rick
Case in point....On my way to a local grocery, I personally witnessed a tank truck leave a Shell station to go across the street to a Texaco station....I thought that was odd, but on my way home, I saw the same tanker pulling out of a BP station about 45 minutes later...(same bandana wearing driver too)
If this is the stuff 'urban legends' are made of....so be it.
If this is the stuff 'urban legends' are made of....so be it.
On a side note I just use whatever gas there is from the local big gas stations and get over 30 MPG on all highway trips! Always have since about 2000 miles or so. And that is through PA and NY up hills and through the mountains. Car always runs the same no matter what gas I use. Although my 190E seems to run better on the so called better fuels. I filled up with Mobil yesterday and it seems to be running smoother.....
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5
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Originally Posted by Rick
Case in point....On my way to a local grocery, I personally witnessed a tank truck leave a Shell station to go across the street to a Texaco station....I thought that was odd, but on my way home, I saw the same tanker pulling out of a BP station about 45 minutes later...(same bandana wearing driver too)
If this is the stuff 'urban legends' are made of....so be it.
If this is the stuff 'urban legends' are made of....so be it.
That's probably because one of the stipulations of the ChevronTexaco merger was that Chevron had to sell off a lot of the Texaco stations to Shell along with some refineries... Chevron is starting to brand everything to Chevron in our area. Case in point, one of the texaco stations across from a chevron very quickly turned into a Shell station.
In the end though, guess it's just a matter of testing the gas and deciding which one feels better for you and your driving style.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
From: nJ/pHiLLy/nY
Audi 225 TT.w203 sedan.Bmw 318tiCali.Ed.VW Jetta vr6
texaco and shell are the same. i could use my texaco card at a shell station for the last few years, now around me they are turning all the texacos into shells. i use texaco 93 or sunoco 94 and get about 275-300 miles to a full tank.
how many gallons is the fuel tank ?
how many gallons is the fuel tank ?
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Originally Posted by FrankW
all the gas suck...I want some 95 octane!!! damn Cali and it's tight emission regulation...
I HATE THE FACT THAT WE ONLY HAVE 91 HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need at least 93! DAMN TREE-HUGGING HIPPIES!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,480
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From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
Originally Posted by nlpamg
I HATE THE FACT THAT WE ONLY HAVE 91 HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need at least 93! DAMN TREE-HUGGING HIPPIES!Go to the local speed shop (or AutoZone...or even WalMart) and get some octane boost. It's not practical for every day use, but it will give you that "jolt" you're jonesin' for. One bottle takes you up about 5 octane/8 cetane in a 10 gal mix. Just be aware that it could cause predetonation....
(I used to run Sunoco 260 or Cam2 [even ran airplane fuel a few times at Raceway Park] in my muscle cars....or they'd ping like a Singer sewing machine)
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: da rock
c240
there could be variables that you may not have accounted for that could have given you the better mileage. first are they 2 exact trips and also the slope of the roads have to be accounted for, the outside temp, and also wind resistance, and other things. I think that every major gas chain will give you roughly the same mileage.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: da rock
c240
Originally Posted by nlpamg
I HATE THE FACT THAT WE ONLY HAVE 91 HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need at least 93! DAMN TREE-HUGGING HIPPIES! 
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
2005 C230 Coupe
Originally Posted by elchinocache
when i went to spain over the summer they had 99 octane. imagine that type of gas in our engines.
They calculate octane differently in Europe. Their number is higher for the same octane content.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 792
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
2003 C230 K , 2001 ML320
Great gas mileage 38 MPG
I have a C230K Coupe, high gas mileage before was 34 mpg.
Last week I took my car to get the cell phone and voice module coded.
I asked them to set the dash display to large numbers, dealer set regional setting to instrument display from USA to R.O.W.
I love the larger shift display, there were days that I could not see the dispaly with sun in the eyes and my wearing sunglasses etc. This was cool.
But suddenly I was getting as much as 38 miles per gallon. Tuesday I went from Burbank to Manhattan Beach and averaged 36 MPG, this at 3:30 PM through downtown traffic no less.
It actually looks like I was getting great mileage, 1/8 tank to/from Burbank about 66 miles.
But I wonder, miles are miles but are all gallons the same? No there is the dreaded Imperial gallon, The Imperial gallon is about a fifth larger than the US gallon.
So the question is, what country is R.O.W. ? Do they use the Imperial gallon?
Anyone elso that used the ROW setting, did this happen to you too?
Last week I took my car to get the cell phone and voice module coded.
I asked them to set the dash display to large numbers, dealer set regional setting to instrument display from USA to R.O.W.
I love the larger shift display, there were days that I could not see the dispaly with sun in the eyes and my wearing sunglasses etc. This was cool.
But suddenly I was getting as much as 38 miles per gallon. Tuesday I went from Burbank to Manhattan Beach and averaged 36 MPG, this at 3:30 PM through downtown traffic no less.
It actually looks like I was getting great mileage, 1/8 tank to/from Burbank about 66 miles.
But I wonder, miles are miles but are all gallons the same? No there is the dreaded Imperial gallon, The Imperial gallon is about a fifth larger than the US gallon.
So the question is, what country is R.O.W. ? Do they use the Imperial gallon?
Anyone elso that used the ROW setting, did this happen to you too?
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 792
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
2003 C230 K , 2001 ML320
According to Steve ROW is Rest Of World.
Some of the C32 people who had the large display were in Poland, I am sure they use metric vs. Imperial gallon.
This still has me stumped.I am still getting what appears to be better gas mileage from the tank level. 130 miles at 1/4 tank computes out to almost 520 miles per tank? And I have had several times sitting at lights and traffic for minutes, which really blows mileage.
Some of the C32 people who had the large display were in Poland, I am sure they use metric vs. Imperial gallon.
This still has me stumped.I am still getting what appears to be better gas mileage from the tank level. 130 miles at 1/4 tank computes out to almost 520 miles per tank? And I have had several times sitting at lights and traffic for minutes, which really blows mileage.
