Premium gas?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
1999 E430, 2006 Escalade ESV
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh,PA, Cambridge, Ontario, CN
2003 S210 3.8L Brabus wagon
Saw this too. It makes perfect sense. Only worry is with cars with ECU mod. Tolerances are much more critical to running on premium only.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
our
cars are 8-10 years old and high compression,they are referencing cars with new sensors that adjust much more quickly.You take your chances that the old school ecu on a 98-02 w210 can keep up with the load knock and not toast a hole in the pistons.$3 extra 1 tank a week is not worth the risk.Read the caution page in your manual,about how to drive if in an emergency you need to run regular.
in short new car,yes
old car no
ohlord
in short new car,yes
old car no
ohlord
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
G63 W463
STRICTLY
93 octane premium/v-power
my baby deserves the best and what it was designed for.
Call me crazy or just in my head, but i feel the difference. IN the rpm range and pull/response from the engine.
my baby deserves the best and what it was designed for.
Call me crazy or just in my head, but i feel the difference. IN the rpm range and pull/response from the engine.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
1999 E430, 2006 Escalade ESV
cars are 8-10 years old and high compression,they are referencing cars with new sensors that adjust much more quickly.You take your chances that the old school ecu on a 98-02 w210 can keep up with the load knock and not toast a hole in the pistons.$3 extra 1 tank a week is not worth the risk.Read the caution page in your manual,about how to drive if in an emergency you need to run regular.
in short new car,yes
old car no
ohlord
in short new car,yes
old car no
ohlord
"Nearly all automobiles sold in the United States since the 1990s will happily run on regular-grade 87-octane gasoline without causing engine damage, a benefit of the electronic controls that now manage all engine functions."
Although I won't change, as I don't drive much and gas price does not affect me much, I do think it is okay to use lower grade, but of course performance will suffer and you are taking a chance. But for someone scrimped on cash, that is an alternative.
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC Area, USA
E430 4matic 2001 & ML430 2000 both Silver / Ash
Well explained Ohlord I would not risk the engine with low octane gas. There were times I had to mix 89 octane with my remaining 93 octane in the tank. But just enough to drive to next station to fill proper octane.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC Area, USA
E430 4matic 2001 & ML430 2000 both Silver / Ash
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
Likes: 13
John Deere
Just had a similar conversation yesterday. A master mechanic with 30 years of MB repair experience. He said he uses premium in all his cars, despite the recommendations (not just the MB). He wouldn't think of using regular.
This after a call came on from a customer driving a brand new S-class who poured Acetone into his gas tank to improve gas mileage on a long trip. He said "we use Acetone to dissolve plastic. Guess what your gas tank is made from?"
People do some crazy things.
This after a call came on from a customer driving a brand new S-class who poured Acetone into his gas tank to improve gas mileage on a long trip. He said "we use Acetone to dissolve plastic. Guess what your gas tank is made from?"
People do some crazy things.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
AlphaWolf
Note
"Nearly all automobiles" ................Mercedes with over 10:1 compression was not one of them.
Before you would ever hear pinging or knock under load on the m112 or m113 the damage could be done.I just think it is irresponsible journalism by the NYT to make statements that will lead some owners to feed a steady diet of 87 into a jewel of an engine and end up with it going bam.
I have built a ton of engines and build a HC engine with a high stall and light weight and the right cam,you can get away with running lightly on regular.
The Mercedes is not cammed for that operation ,to low a stall,heavy car and high compression a problem waiting to happen especially if you live at sea level up to about 1000 ft. cities.
You won't do it,I know not in Sa with a v8 but if some poor scrimped on cash w210 owner toasts a piston is the author of the nyt article going to reimburse him?
As to the jerks with the acetone and the hho gas and fire from water I gave up on them
lost souls
ohlord
"Nearly all automobiles" ................Mercedes with over 10:1 compression was not one of them.
Before you would ever hear pinging or knock under load on the m112 or m113 the damage could be done.I just think it is irresponsible journalism by the NYT to make statements that will lead some owners to feed a steady diet of 87 into a jewel of an engine and end up with it going bam.
I have built a ton of engines and build a HC engine with a high stall and light weight and the right cam,you can get away with running lightly on regular.
The Mercedes is not cammed for that operation ,to low a stall,heavy car and high compression a problem waiting to happen especially if you live at sea level up to about 1000 ft. cities.
You won't do it,I know not in Sa with a v8 but if some poor scrimped on cash w210 owner toasts a piston is the author of the nyt article going to reimburse him?
As to the jerks with the acetone and the hho gas and fire from water I gave up on them
lost soulsohlord
Last edited by ohlord; Aug 5, 2008 at 09:12 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Südflorida
'99 E430, '05 ML500, '15 GLK350
That acetone one is a good one. I had an IT employee who swore it gave him another 7-8 MPG on his F150. Urban legends die hard.
I don't think you could damage your car using regular, though. Those of us who grew up in the days of setting our own timing (back in the day) know what detonation is, and cars sure could take a lot of it. In contrast, I've never heard my 1.13 gallon Stuttgarter V8 even start to detonate on mid-grade. Especially here in flat Florida, 93 all the time seems like overkill. Maybe every third tank I'll do 93, that way there's some mixing, but honestly there's no noticeable difference.
I don't think I'd ever use 87, because that's for minivans and four-bangers.
Note however that the quality of gas is determined by more than the octane. I stay with Shell and Chevron/Texaco because they at least pay lip service to clean burning gas (plus I don't like funding ExxonMobil's $1 billion retirement packages).
I don't think you could damage your car using regular, though. Those of us who grew up in the days of setting our own timing (back in the day) know what detonation is, and cars sure could take a lot of it. In contrast, I've never heard my 1.13 gallon Stuttgarter V8 even start to detonate on mid-grade. Especially here in flat Florida, 93 all the time seems like overkill. Maybe every third tank I'll do 93, that way there's some mixing, but honestly there's no noticeable difference.
I don't think I'd ever use 87, because that's for minivans and four-bangers.
Note however that the quality of gas is determined by more than the octane. I stay with Shell and Chevron/Texaco because they at least pay lip service to clean burning gas (plus I don't like funding ExxonMobil's $1 billion retirement packages).
Out Of Control!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 21,014
Likes: 2
From: CA, NV, CO
I used to fill up my tank with 91 which you can pretty much get at any gas station in cali but after using 101/109 i'm never going back.
Now i only use a combination of 101/109. Big improvement.
Now i only use a combination of 101/109. Big improvement.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Sea level
you could run 91 in Fl. no problem.
these engines are so well insulated,double walled exhaust manifold and such you will never hear the knock on the door till Dave has already been haued away by the cops
ohlord
these engines are so well insulated,double walled exhaust manifold and such you will never hear the knock on the door till Dave has already been haued away by the cops
ohlord
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
08 E320 Bluetec
Sheesh . . . when will this nonsense die? Is this the Hyundai forum?
Using a lower octane than recommended may not hurt your car but those computer controls are retarding your timing to prevent engine knock and you will lose performance. Using a higher octane than recommended will not give you any benefit or performance increase or "clean" anything. Those days, if they ever even existed, are long gone.
Using a lower octane than recommended may not hurt your car but those computer controls are retarding your timing to prevent engine knock and you will lose performance. Using a higher octane than recommended will not give you any benefit or performance increase or "clean" anything. Those days, if they ever even existed, are long gone.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Südflorida
'99 E430, '05 ML500, '15 GLK350
There is a difference in the quality, but not necessarily the octane, of gas in the US. I thought it was BS when the MB engineers for the M-Class blamed tank level indicator errors on US gasoline, but tests proved it was true.
Find a good supplier and stick with him.
See also:
http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa...e_experts.html
Find a good supplier and stick with him.
See also:
http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa...e_experts.html
Last edited by Hirnbeiss; Aug 6, 2008 at 06:18 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
The MB recommended 91 octane is unavailable here. The few stations of which I am aware offering 92 contain ethanol. I use Chevron Supreme 93 because that is a Top Tier Gasoline, has no ethanol, and Techron Concentrate is approved by MB. The cleaning properties are due to the detergent components, not the octane.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Yeah
that danged ethanol
10% added to arco gas out west and even though the gas is pennies cheaper it will trip a p0170 p0173 maf code at times that will drive you batty chasing it down.
10% added to arco gas out west and even though the gas is pennies cheaper it will trip a p0170 p0173 maf code at times that will drive you batty chasing it down.
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC Area, USA
E430 4matic 2001 & ML430 2000 both Silver / Ash
Ethanol is everywhere.
I used to live in Florida and they had 10% ethanol mixture.
I moved back to DC area and they have same ethanol mixture here too. Also the states I drove thru all had ethanol.
I used to live in Florida and they had 10% ethanol mixture.
I moved back to DC area and they have same ethanol mixture here too. Also the states I drove thru all had ethanol.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
It's
a conspiracy to keep the w210's drunk all the time so they forget to get their trans fluid replaced
ohlord
ohlord
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,199
Likes: 243
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
As to the subject of this forum, addition of ethanol does not degrade octane. About the only good thing you can say about it.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 463
Likes: 8
From: Long Island, NY
01 E320
Around here right now, premium 93 octane Sonoco is $4.39. 91 Octane is $4.34 so I save 5c a gallon using 91. The Sonoco station sells 4 grades. The one time I put regular in by mistake, definately heard the engine knock. 91 octane is what it calls for and what I use. Don't notice any difference between 91 and 93 so I keep the nickel in my pocket.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
The laws must be state-by-state and not federal because we have one that requires a label pump if the gas contains ethanol. West Virginia is pretty backward in a lot of ways, but this is one area where we seem to lead the pack.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL
2008 E350
Florida also requires a label. Saw them in Georgia, too, this summer.
