E500 26mpg
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
2000 E320 2009 E550
E500 MPG
On Saturday I took my first extended highway trip with my new to me '05 E500. The camara phone photo below is a bit dark and not especially clear but here's the details.
I had stopped to fuel the car and got right back on the highway. This photo was taken about 2 hours after the re-fueling. 142 miles and an average speed of 70 MPH.
Look closely: 29.6 MPG
I had stopped to fuel the car and got right back on the highway. This photo was taken about 2 hours after the re-fueling. 142 miles and an average speed of 70 MPH.
Look closely: 29.6 MPG
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 15
2011 E550 (RIP), 2014 CLS 550C4
The photo above is the last of the probably dozen I took. First was shot at a little over an hour after the re-fueling and I wasn't using the CC - that one showed about 27.7 - which I thought was impressive. Then I noticed that it kept slowly creeping up. I'd snap a pic, thinking it's not going to get any better. Engaged cruise, set it at 75, and tried to stay off the pedal. If I had to brake I'd use the pedal to gently return to 75 then re-engage cruise. "No way is it going to get any better than 28.5" - click. Wow, 28.7 - click. Etc-etc. "These people are never going to believe me". 28.9 - click.
No idea how accurate the computer is but I don't imagine it's that far off. I was happy with 27 MPG!
Dan
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 2
From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
I would imagine the higher mpg is from a RWD model. (I have the RWD, wouldn't have it any other way-just pure fun factor), PLUS the RWD came with the 7 spd. auto. Weight too may play a factor, all contributing to a better MPG - just my speculation.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 15
2011 E550 (RIP), 2014 CLS 550C4
Yes, it's RWD only - not 4M.
I imagine the 7 speed transmission helps, but I believe the impressive fuel milage is more a function of the the transmission's top gear (7th) ratio and the final drive ratio (differential gears) being well matched to the engine torque curve. I noted that in order to simply maintain 75 MPH, via the pedal or the CC, the torque converter never unlocked, nor did the transmission down shift. The engine makes sufficient torque at 2000 RPM to maintain the vehicles' set speed - even up hills, with little additional throttle or a down shift. The only time it would unlock the converter and drop a gear (or two, or three) was when I needed to gain speed quickly.
Dan
I imagine the 7 speed transmission helps, but I believe the impressive fuel milage is more a function of the the transmission's top gear (7th) ratio and the final drive ratio (differential gears) being well matched to the engine torque curve. I noted that in order to simply maintain 75 MPH, via the pedal or the CC, the torque converter never unlocked, nor did the transmission down shift. The engine makes sufficient torque at 2000 RPM to maintain the vehicles' set speed - even up hills, with little additional throttle or a down shift. The only time it would unlock the converter and drop a gear (or two, or three) was when I needed to gain speed quickly.
Dan
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
2005 MB E500
Yes, it's RWD only - not 4M.
I imagine the 7 speed transmission helps, but I believe the impressive fuel milage is more a function of the the transmission's top gear (7th) ratio and the final drive ratio (differential gears) being well matched to the engine torque curve. I noted that in order to simply maintain 75 MPH, via the pedal or the CC, the torque converter never unlocked, nor did the transmission down shift. The engine makes sufficient torque at 2000 RPM to maintain the vehicles' set speed - even up hills, with little additional throttle or a down shift. The only time it would unlock the converter and drop a gear (or two, or three) was when I needed to gain speed quickly.
Dan
I imagine the 7 speed transmission helps, but I believe the impressive fuel milage is more a function of the the transmission's top gear (7th) ratio and the final drive ratio (differential gears) being well matched to the engine torque curve. I noted that in order to simply maintain 75 MPH, via the pedal or the CC, the torque converter never unlocked, nor did the transmission down shift. The engine makes sufficient torque at 2000 RPM to maintain the vehicles' set speed - even up hills, with little additional throttle or a down shift. The only time it would unlock the converter and drop a gear (or two, or three) was when I needed to gain speed quickly.
Dan
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 2
From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
Yes, it's RWD only - not 4M.
I imagine the 7 speed transmission helps, but I believe the impressive fuel milage is more a function of the the transmission's top gear (7th) ratio and the final drive ratio (differential gears) being well matched to the engine torque curve. I noted that in order to simply maintain 75 MPH, via the pedal or the CC, the torque converter never unlocked, nor did the transmission down shift. The engine makes sufficient torque at 2000 RPM to maintain the vehicles' set speed - even up hills, with little additional throttle or a down shift. The only time it would unlock the converter and drop a gear (or two, or three) was when I needed to gain speed quickly.
Dan
I imagine the 7 speed transmission helps, but I believe the impressive fuel milage is more a function of the the transmission's top gear (7th) ratio and the final drive ratio (differential gears) being well matched to the engine torque curve. I noted that in order to simply maintain 75 MPH, via the pedal or the CC, the torque converter never unlocked, nor did the transmission down shift. The engine makes sufficient torque at 2000 RPM to maintain the vehicles' set speed - even up hills, with little additional throttle or a down shift. The only time it would unlock the converter and drop a gear (or two, or three) was when I needed to gain speed quickly.
Dan
