Octane, in Canada
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Oakville, Ont., Canada
2009 ML320 CDi Bluetec
Octane, in Canada
Hello all,
Where do you all buy gas, and what do you buy?
I used to run on Sunoco 94 Octane (European friends, we use a different measure of Octane here, namely R+M/2; 94 Octane in North America is equivalent to around 98 in Europe).
Anyway, that is the highest you can get here. Esso was 92 but has just gone back down to 91.
So why not stick with Sunoco? Ah. they use alcohol to get that high rating. Alcohol is not good for engines - it is essentially a solvent and will wear out gaskets and seals.
So now it is back down to 91 Octane for me?
Any opinions?
Michael
Where do you all buy gas, and what do you buy?
I used to run on Sunoco 94 Octane (European friends, we use a different measure of Octane here, namely R+M/2; 94 Octane in North America is equivalent to around 98 in Europe).
Anyway, that is the highest you can get here. Esso was 92 but has just gone back down to 91.
So why not stick with Sunoco? Ah. they use alcohol to get that high rating. Alcohol is not good for engines - it is essentially a solvent and will wear out gaskets and seals.
So now it is back down to 91 Octane for me?
Any opinions?
Michael
Last edited by mwillems; Jun 15, 2003 at 05:35 PM.
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
according to the user manual p.260 ...
Use only premium uleaded gasoline withe a minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON)
For your car sake, give her 91+. (I use 93 for my cars.)
Your new e does have a sensor to handle the different octane level gasoline but you have to take your own risk to fill lower grade gasline -- under 91 octane.
For your car sake, give her 91+. (I use 93 for my cars.)
Your new e does have a sensor to handle the different octane level gasoline but you have to take your own risk to fill lower grade gasline -- under 91 octane.
As long as the computer and sensors are doing their jobs, running a lower grade of gasoline should not damage the engine. However, since we all know that sensors and computer do fail from time to time I would suggest that if you plan on using a lower grade of gasoline drive more sedately, as the manual suggests.
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From: Ohio
Re: Octane, in Canada
Originally posted by mwillems
So why not stick with Sunoco? Ah. they use alcohol to get that high rating.
So why not stick with Sunoco? Ah. they use alcohol to get that high rating.
Offhand, do you know which other brands shoot booze into the fuel? I know almost nothing about this...
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
Sunoco with alcohol
If gas company can promote its gasoline grade by adding alcohol; it will not only does for 94, it will does for 91 as well -- adding alcohol to 89 even 87 to get 91 gas. Don't worry too much about premium gasoline because both laws and gas company's reputation control the quality of gasoline.
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From: Richmond, BC, Canada
2010 Prius & Miata MX5 PRHT, 2010 Toyota Venza AWD, 05 C55 AMG, Yamaha 1100 Custom, Honda 250 Reflex
I fill mine with Chevron Premium rated at 92 octane; readily available in all Chevron pumps in Greater Vancouver area. 
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Oakville, Ont., Canada
2009 ML320 CDi Bluetec
Originally posted by Otto
I have not heard about that. I use Sunoco 94 once in a while because there is no Sunoco gas station in my town. By the way, it is illegal to add alcohol to gasoline according to NJ DMV so I don't think Sunoco can break the law.
I have not heard about that. I use Sunoco 94 once in a while because there is no Sunoco gas station in my town. By the way, it is illegal to add alcohol to gasoline according to NJ DMV so I don't think Sunoco can break the law.
MW
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 756
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From: Canada
Originally posted by mwillems
But here (Ontario) they advertise on the pumps, "contains up to 10% alcohol". It's cheap and clean - just wears away your seals and gaskets, I understand.
MW
But here (Ontario) they advertise on the pumps, "contains up to 10% alcohol". It's cheap and clean - just wears away your seals and gaskets, I understand.
MW
Do you really think Sunoco would sell gas that would ruin your seals and perhaps then have a class action lawsuit headed in their direction ?
