Lower (cheaper)grades of gas
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7
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From: Houston, TX
2002 C32 AMG
Lower (cheaper)grades of gas
Hey everyone:
I am a cash strapped c32 owner who does frequent long trips and was interested in figuring out that with the current expensive cost of gas would it be possible to drop a grade down from premium (93 octane) to plus (89 octane) or even regular (86 octane) without damaging the engine. Can you mix them.
After sinking all my savings into this beautiful machine dont have much left for gas
but only if it is safe for the engine would i drop a grade...
Any insight???
Homey
I am a cash strapped c32 owner who does frequent long trips and was interested in figuring out that with the current expensive cost of gas would it be possible to drop a grade down from premium (93 octane) to plus (89 octane) or even regular (86 octane) without damaging the engine. Can you mix them.
After sinking all my savings into this beautiful machine dont have much left for gas
but only if it is safe for the engine would i drop a grade...Any insight???
Homey
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,109
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From: Earth
NA
Cost of gas???
Anywhere I've looked, manuals, mechanics, dealer etc, will tell you the worse thing you can do to a C32 is put in cheap gas... unless you are willing to damage the engine...
If you already stretched yourself to get this wonderful piece of machinery (as far as I am concerned; any AMG for that matter! ) you should be able to put what the car needs and/or is specified in the owners manual.
If you contact the AMG plant in Germany, they will be happy to send you information regarding all the damage that you can cause in the vehicle for not using the proper octane of gas...
Again, other members and if there are any "brave" ones that have had any experience on this subject, are more than welcome to post their comments...
At my end, I have never put something that is not required by the Manufacturer... in the short, medium and long run you will not have any possible savings by not following what is recommended
Wiedermann
If you already stretched yourself to get this wonderful piece of machinery (as far as I am concerned; any AMG for that matter! ) you should be able to put what the car needs and/or is specified in the owners manual.
If you contact the AMG plant in Germany, they will be happy to send you information regarding all the damage that you can cause in the vehicle for not using the proper octane of gas...
Again, other members and if there are any "brave" ones that have had any experience on this subject, are more than welcome to post their comments...
At my end, I have never put something that is not required by the Manufacturer... in the short, medium and long run you will not have any possible savings by not following what is recommended
Wiedermann
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 291
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From: Portland, OR
2001 CLK320
lower octane gas...
with all the warnings in the owners manual and the fact that you have the s/c v6.
You could get away with a lower grade if you are cruising at steady speeds (such as highway driving), but:
if you accelerate hard or floor it, you're going to need the higher octane - especially in hotter weather conditions.
MB uses knock sensors to protect the engine, but this works up to a certain point.
The relatively high mechanical compression ratio plus additional heat from the s/c system will create conditions that could create detonation (aka: pinging).
Occaision pinging isn't bad, put going up long grades with constant pinging or heavy acceleration can damage the tops of the pistons, overheat valves, and damage the lands (area above the top compression ring on the piston).
The pistons in an engine are aluminum, and excessive heat isn't good for them. In exteme cases holes can form in the tops of the pistons.
So if you use lower octane, you'll have to drive easier to not induce pinging.
Another thing is if the knock sensor detects pinging, it will retard timing - reducing power output and fuel economy.
You could get away with a lower grade if you are cruising at steady speeds (such as highway driving), but:
if you accelerate hard or floor it, you're going to need the higher octane - especially in hotter weather conditions.
MB uses knock sensors to protect the engine, but this works up to a certain point.
The relatively high mechanical compression ratio plus additional heat from the s/c system will create conditions that could create detonation (aka: pinging).
Occaision pinging isn't bad, put going up long grades with constant pinging or heavy acceleration can damage the tops of the pistons, overheat valves, and damage the lands (area above the top compression ring on the piston).
The pistons in an engine are aluminum, and excessive heat isn't good for them. In exteme cases holes can form in the tops of the pistons.
So if you use lower octane, you'll have to drive easier to not induce pinging.
Another thing is if the knock sensor detects pinging, it will retard timing - reducing power output and fuel economy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
"Another thing is if the knock sensor detects pinging, it will retard timing - reducing power output and fuel economy. "
that is true, but some people have found that using 89 gives better fuel economy. And the power output is true as well, you will probably lose a few HP, but nothing noticible unless you put it on a dyno.
in an interview, a MB representitive representing the news article on gasoline octanes said "if you do not use premium, you may not achieve the rated specifications of your Mercedes-Benz vehicle."
But if you just crusing along, no hard acceleration, it is more than likely fine.
And especially if your worried about gas costs and wanting to save money, you definately don't want to be accelerating hard cuz you'll just suck more gas that way
that is true, but some people have found that using 89 gives better fuel economy. And the power output is true as well, you will probably lose a few HP, but nothing noticible unless you put it on a dyno.
in an interview, a MB representitive representing the news article on gasoline octanes said "if you do not use premium, you may not achieve the rated specifications of your Mercedes-Benz vehicle."
But if you just crusing along, no hard acceleration, it is more than likely fine.
And especially if your worried about gas costs and wanting to save money, you definately don't want to be accelerating hard cuz you'll just suck more gas that way
