View Poll Results: Since gas is going up again.....what grade gas do you put in your C?
Always use regular unleaded
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2
2.60%
Always use PLUS unleaded
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1
1.30%
Always use PREMIUM unleaded
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73
94.81%
Random...different grades at different times
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1
1.30%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll
what kinda gas do you put in your C?
#326
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2006 C280
I always use Premium unleaded, because newMBz is right... there have been several posts here from frantic owners who have used less than 91 octane, and got the "Check engine" light, rough running engine, etc.
Actually, I can't find 91 octane in these here parts, so I have to use that 'spensive 93 octane stuff. Paid $1.19/gal 10 days ago, but It's now up to $1.39. What's up with that?
bagwell, as usual, you know more about your car than your salesmonkey... You could try 87 octane, but if your baby starts complaining, I'd take a banana to the dealership and...
Actually, I can't find 91 octane in these here parts, so I have to use that 'spensive 93 octane stuff. Paid $1.19/gal 10 days ago, but It's now up to $1.39. What's up with that?
bagwell, as usual, you know more about your car than your salesmonkey... You could try 87 octane, but if your baby starts complaining, I'd take a banana to the dealership and...
BTW, I use premium (93 octane) exclusively. Just paid $2.56 per gallon but paid as much as $3.20 earlier this year. The high prices suck but if you're gonna spend the money to buy a Benz, why cheap out on the gas? It just doesn't make sense to me.
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#327
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Tell your salesman that he is a retard. I have seen so many Benzes with fuel pump and injection system failures and denial of warranty because of people being too cheap or misinformed by somebody who does not know damn thing about what they are talking about. "Premium Only" is on the fuel door, owners manual, instrument cluster written for a good reason.
#328
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E550 4MATIC
I only use premium as well. Its 93 octane out here in Jersey and I think at Sunoco you can get 94. Every receipt goes in a box in case I ever have any engine trouble, I can prove that it only had premium. It always depresses me to hear about people putting regular in the loaners since my car was one in its former life lol This whole debate on premium/regular is crazy...don't buy a german luxury car if you can't afford an extra 100 bucks a year.
#331
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2009 C300, 2009 B200
I just read some of the older posts...
I tried putting in regular 87 octane gas in my old W202 (before trading it in) and the gas milage went to poop compared to when I was using 91 octane, so I wouldn't recommend it. In my old W203 pulleyed ccoupe (M111), putting it 94 octane gas actually made the engine ran smoother than 91 octane gas. The gas milage is around the same though.
I tried putting in regular 87 octane gas in my old W202 (before trading it in) and the gas milage went to poop compared to when I was using 91 octane, so I wouldn't recommend it. In my old W203 pulleyed ccoupe (M111), putting it 94 octane gas actually made the engine ran smoother than 91 octane gas. The gas milage is around the same though.
#332
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E550 4MATIC
I paid $2.30 something for premium at BP the other day here in NNJ. I have been trying to use only Sunoco or BP which uses Ammoco Ultimate because I am told it is the best gas. Also my gas mileage kind of sucks because I do mostly around town driving. I'm averaging about 19 or 20 mpg. In earlier posts there was something about having them change the computer to know its getting 93 octane to improve fuel economy--does anyone know anything about this?
#334
Super Moderator Alumni
Using lower octane, in a pinch or once in a while, should be just fine. Over time though, the knocking or pinging will cause damage to the engine. The cost vs. performance thing is up to you.
#335
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R129, XF Sportbrake, SC400
They tell you to put premium for a reason. You don't want to get pinging over time. Plus, you drive a premium car, why put anything else but premium gas? Just my $0.02.
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#337
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a quarter mile at a time
using lower octane gas will not harm your car. these engines have knock sensors to prevent damage, however, you may lose performance if you decide to use lower octane gas.
#338
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07 C230 Sport Sedan Orion Blue
You can do whatever you want to your car. I don't know the technical aspects of it but if they say that it is best to use a certain type of gas then there must be a reason. If you are wanting to save money by using lower octane then maybe one shouldn't buy a Mercedes in the first place because gas is one of the cheaper things that you will have to put in it or do to it. Think how much money you would save over time. Here, 91 octane is maybe 5 cents cheaper or about $3 or $4 per tank. That doesn't add up to a huge savings over time but if you have to replace something in your car because of using the lower octane, it will cost a lot more than the savings. My 0.02 as well!
#339
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2005 Mercedes C230 Sport Sedan (W203)
This has been discussed a few times already... but here's my $0.02:
I drive 17,000km per year.
On average I get 9l/100km.
I use 1530 litres of gas per year.
89 Octane, right now, is $1.04/l.
$1.04 x 1530 = $1591.20 in gas per year.
91 Octane, right now, is $1.14/l.
$1.14 x 1530 = $1744.20 in gas per year.
So over the entire year, its $153 more expensive to go with premium gas. Now make the decision. Thats a no brainer to me.
I drive 17,000km per year.
On average I get 9l/100km.
I use 1530 litres of gas per year.
89 Octane, right now, is $1.04/l.
$1.04 x 1530 = $1591.20 in gas per year.
91 Octane, right now, is $1.14/l.
$1.14 x 1530 = $1744.20 in gas per year.
So over the entire year, its $153 more expensive to go with premium gas. Now make the decision. Thats a no brainer to me.
#340
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"Double Stuff" SOLD | Nor*Cals "Pesky Audi"
lower octane wont hurt your car. however, it will give you sh*tty gas mileage and run kinda ragged. just les hassle to run 91 or better. plus ideally, your only looking about a $2-$4 difference. so ask yourself, is it really worth it?!
#341
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At the moment I'm not working, I'm studying full time so my income may
as well be decribed as a handfull of sand BUT for me... Its either 98' or I'm pushing that ****.
as well be decribed as a handfull of sand BUT for me... Its either 98' or I'm pushing that ****.
#343
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R129, XF Sportbrake, SC400
True, i forgot about the knock sensors. There may be a loss in performance but it probably won't be noticeable. But, as said above, the price difference over a year really isn't all that much. Seems like a no brainer to me also.
#344
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is SOLD
higher octane is "richer" so better fuel combustion. if u can afford the car then u can afford the gas. if u had no choice just to save money the lowest you should go is the mid grade octane.
#345
I would never put anything but 91 in my car. I just wanted to see what other MB owners have to say. Like you guys were saying before the extra 2-4 going to be that hard on the pocket book, and if it is i say its time to look into getting another car. I did actually once put 87 in my 1995 c230 but that was because where i filled up the nozels were backwards. That was my bad, didnt notice a differance in perfomance but that was in a 95 car.
ITS NOT WORTH THE TROUBLES THAT MAY COME IN THE FUTURE!!!
ITS NOT WORTH THE TROUBLES THAT MAY COME IN THE FUTURE!!!
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#346
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
For those using lower octane than 91, please do not start a thread months down the line entitled "MB quality is crap! My engine broke down after only X years" or "Why am I hearing all this noise in my engine" or "HELP! My Car broke down and I don't know why".
Seriously...Using less than 91 octane will work. It will also save you a little money in the short term. However, in the Long term, you're basically making your car work harder than necessary. Eventually, it will break down all the internals faster than normal. Anybody ever heard the term "use the right tool for the right job"? Well, this is similar. You've gotta treat that engine well (especially if your car is force induction - i.e. supercharged/turbocharged - which obviously, would only be a few MB's as far as turbo).
I personally use Shell w/ V Power (91) and/or Chevron w/ Techron. I've found that Shell gas provides better fuel economy and allows the car to run smoother than any other gasoline by FAR. Chevron w/ Techron would be 2nd. If worse comes to worse and I can't find either of these, I'll go with Exxon or Mobil (91 of course).
Unfortunately, due to Cali's strict smog laws, there are not many gas stations that offer above 91 octane. There are no 93 octane pumps that I'm aware of, but there are race pumps out there that are 97 (but they also charge twice the amount of 91)?...Someone in So-Cal correct me if I'm wrong.
Seriously...Using less than 91 octane will work. It will also save you a little money in the short term. However, in the Long term, you're basically making your car work harder than necessary. Eventually, it will break down all the internals faster than normal. Anybody ever heard the term "use the right tool for the right job"? Well, this is similar. You've gotta treat that engine well (especially if your car is force induction - i.e. supercharged/turbocharged - which obviously, would only be a few MB's as far as turbo).
I personally use Shell w/ V Power (91) and/or Chevron w/ Techron. I've found that Shell gas provides better fuel economy and allows the car to run smoother than any other gasoline by FAR. Chevron w/ Techron would be 2nd. If worse comes to worse and I can't find either of these, I'll go with Exxon or Mobil (91 of course).
Unfortunately, due to Cali's strict smog laws, there are not many gas stations that offer above 91 octane. There are no 93 octane pumps that I'm aware of, but there are race pumps out there that are 97 (but they also charge twice the amount of 91)?...Someone in So-Cal correct me if I'm wrong.
i believe the price difference for each grade of fuel is about 10 cents a gallon. so a person would save about 20 cents a gallon by fueling 87 oct fuel instead of 91 oct fuel.
suppose the person drive 13,000 miles a year and his C230 gets 28 miles per gallon.
13,000 miles / 28 mpg = 464 gallons of fuel used a year
20 cents / gallon saving x 464 gallons = $92.80 saving a year.
$92.80 saving a year in fuel expense is not worth it considering the potential damage caused to the engine !
suppose the person drive 13,000 miles a year and his C230 gets 28 miles per gallon.
13,000 miles / 28 mpg = 464 gallons of fuel used a year
20 cents / gallon saving x 464 gallons = $92.80 saving a year.
$92.80 saving a year in fuel expense is not worth it considering the potential damage caused to the engine !
#347
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05 C55
when i get a courtesy car from MB while my car is being serviced i would put in 91 and i can feel the diference. i always, always put in 94. i know most states in the US do not have 94. here in vancouver we do and it makes a HUGE difference. i cannot imagine using anything lower.