Regular gas?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
He should be either have his dealer's license taken away, or just plain shot. Never put anything less than the minimum recommended octane. Not only will you get less power and dirty your engine, but while you think you'll be saving 10 cents a gallon, in reality you'll get less mpg and end up spending more. So basically your dealer recommended:
Less power
Less fuel economy
Less engine life
Maybe you should be less one dealer. Sorry if I seem a little offensive, I'm just astonished that your dealer would go against what he is required by MBUSA to recommend.
Less power
Less fuel economy
Less engine life
Maybe you should be less one dealer. Sorry if I seem a little offensive, I'm just astonished that your dealer would go against what he is required by MBUSA to recommend.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 127
Likes: 3
From: Northern NY
2002 CLK 430 Coupe
Using lower than recommended octane will result in the computer retarding the spark in order to prevent ping. The results of which are what Mach430 states. I agree, find another dealer.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
2001 CLK320
Another note on gas
The manual states:
If you have a situation where Premium (or 91 octane) isn't available, such as being on a road trip and the only station around just has that donkey juice otherwise called "regular grade"
DON'T rev the engine over 3,000 rpm or do full throttle take offs from a stop. With 10:1 compression, you'll get hot spots on the top of the piston and the ring lands, which isn't good at all.
When you find a station that has premium grade, top off the tank when you have space and resume using the proper grade of gas. Once you have a full tank of premium going on again, you can go back to the "enthusiastic driving mode" or whatever you do.
There is a knock sensor, but it can only retard the timing to a point...since these are high compression engines, you must use the proper grade of gas to prevent detonation (pinging). Not to mention, the lower grades of gas don't always have as much detergents to keep the intake tract and the fuel injectors clean.
If I remember correctly, Benzes have required premium since 1985 or so...
If you have a situation where Premium (or 91 octane) isn't available, such as being on a road trip and the only station around just has that donkey juice otherwise called "regular grade"
DON'T rev the engine over 3,000 rpm or do full throttle take offs from a stop. With 10:1 compression, you'll get hot spots on the top of the piston and the ring lands, which isn't good at all.
When you find a station that has premium grade, top off the tank when you have space and resume using the proper grade of gas. Once you have a full tank of premium going on again, you can go back to the "enthusiastic driving mode" or whatever you do.
There is a knock sensor, but it can only retard the timing to a point...since these are high compression engines, you must use the proper grade of gas to prevent detonation (pinging). Not to mention, the lower grades of gas don't always have as much detergents to keep the intake tract and the fuel injectors clean.
If I remember correctly, Benzes have required premium since 1985 or so...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
MKH, did you listen to your dealer? If yes, for how long? I wonder if he's liable for any potential engine problems. I'd complain to MB and tell them to extend your warranty to 100,000 miles for this.
