Premium Fuel Question
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E350 4matic
Premium Fuel Question
Hello Good people,
Please forgive if this question has been asked before. But I have been in a debate with a few people about premium vs. mid grade fuel for my car.
I only put premium fuel in my E350, because I love that car and want to treat it well (like the fine piece of machinery that it is), and that is the suggested octane level. Now I don't' need to fully understand "combustion rates" and all the reasoning behind it.
I just would to know your opinion and if you use premium fuel for your E or not.
I've been told by a few people that my E isn't a High Performance vehicle and could easily survive on mid grade.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Kellie
Please forgive if this question has been asked before. But I have been in a debate with a few people about premium vs. mid grade fuel for my car.
I only put premium fuel in my E350, because I love that car and want to treat it well (like the fine piece of machinery that it is), and that is the suggested octane level. Now I don't' need to fully understand "combustion rates" and all the reasoning behind it.
I just would to know your opinion and if you use premium fuel for your E or not.
I've been told by a few people that my E isn't a High Performance vehicle and could easily survive on mid grade.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Kellie
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#4
Super Member
My best friend has been a benz mechanic for 15 yrs and has always run mid grade in his cars and recommended I do the same. I have done the same as well with both my cars.
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Of course it will survive, the car's ECU will adjust timing to the octane. But the recommended RON will give you the optimum performance your motor was designed for. And the additives in brand name gasoline (Shell, Chevron, etc..) are important to the long term health of your motor (carbon buildup, etc..) Why try to save a few pennies this way?
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Philadelphia area
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I guess your 15 year mechanic and you are more knowledgable than the engineers at Benz who developed the engine and came up with this requirement. Certainly would not like to purchase your car when you sell it nor would I care to have your good friend turn a wrench on any of my cars.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 E550 4matic, 2008 MDX, 2011 335i Vert
you're not damaging the engine with mid grade but you are reducing horsepower and potentially causing more deposit build up. With mid grade the car has to adjust its timing much more regularly and you'll probably notice knocking or pinging when the engine is under stress - i am interested to see if this is the case.
I use premium in my e550 because I tend to drive a bit aggressively and want all the ponies to be there when I ask for them.
I use premium in my e550 because I tend to drive a bit aggressively and want all the ponies to be there when I ask for them.
Trending Topics
#8
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
18 Posts
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Guys, really add up the differences in how much you'd save in the year based off of the .10-.20 per Gallon via lower Octane.
There's a reason they say to put in Premium, and Benz certainly isn't gaining revenue from fuel usage, and certainly not helping themselves out by asking customers to shell out more $$$$ for Gas.
You buy a premium car, abide by its fuel requirements. Or at least do it so the guy who gets it after you, who might be a person who likes to pamper and care for/keep his/her cars for a long time, gets a good/well kept example. Problem with the Leasing generation, is no one owns their cars anymore, 90% of New Cars on the road are Rentals, long term "Hertz" cars practically, so naturally, most people won't really care.
There's a reason they say to put in Premium, and Benz certainly isn't gaining revenue from fuel usage, and certainly not helping themselves out by asking customers to shell out more $$$$ for Gas.
You buy a premium car, abide by its fuel requirements. Or at least do it so the guy who gets it after you, who might be a person who likes to pamper and care for/keep his/her cars for a long time, gets a good/well kept example. Problem with the Leasing generation, is no one owns their cars anymore, 90% of New Cars on the road are Rentals, long term "Hertz" cars practically, so naturally, most people won't really care.
#9
Is that an accurate number or are you just being hyperbolic? Not trying to argue, just wondering.
#10
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
18 Posts
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Not not accurate at all, lol. Just being dramatic for the sake of a point.
I actually don't know what it really is. In SoCal at least, I'd wager that seems a very realistic, if not conservative number for Luxury Car buyers.
I actually don't know what it really is. In SoCal at least, I'd wager that seems a very realistic, if not conservative number for Luxury Car buyers.
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Philadelphia area
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
you're not damaging the engine with mid grade but you are reducing horsepower and potentially causing more deposit build up. With mid grade the car has to adjust its timing much more regularly and you'll probably notice knocking or pinging when the engine is under stress - i am interested to see if this is the case.
I use premium in my e550 because I tend to drive a bit aggressively and want all the ponies to be there when I ask for them.
I use premium in my e550 because I tend to drive a bit aggressively and want all the ponies to be there when I ask for them.
#14
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E350 4matic
Thanks for your help!
#15
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
K7 GSX-R 750
#16
I use premium for all my cars. May as well get the best fuel available especially since difference in cost is negligible. It can be argues premium fuel gives you more mileage anyway. So net-net, its a wash. Also isn't US fuel supposed to be inferior to European fuels? I read somewhere that there is more sulphur- reason given why the 2010 E-class engines are carry overs from the outgoing models. This is not the case in Europe, where the 2010 e-classes got brand new engines.
#17
Super Member
I guess your 15 year mechanic and you are more knowledgable than the engineers at Benz who developed the engine and came up with this requirement. Certainly would not like to purchase your car when you sell it nor would I care to have your good friend turn a wrench on any of my cars.
"Today's engines use highly evolved versions of a device called a knock sensor to adjust settings automatically for low-octane gas. And more engine control computers have adequate memory to allow separate sets of instructions for various octanes. The engine control computers keep pushing to maximize performance on whatever grade of fuel is used.
Extreme pressure inside the cylinders causes knock, which is the sound of the pistons literally rattling inside the cylinders. Too much too long can damage the engine. A little now and then won't.
The only modern engines that should really need premium are those with superchargers, which force-feed fuel into the cylinders. "You're driving along and just tramp the gas and the knock sensor cannot sense the knock fast enough in some cases," because the supercharger boosts pressure so fast, says Bob Furey, chemist and fuels specialist at General Motors.
Burning regular when the owner's manual specifies premium won't void the warranty, nor damage the engine, even the most finicky automakers say. "You're giving up perhaps just a little bit of performance that a customer wouldn't really even notice, it's so slight," says Furey.
Automakers say they don't test premium engines on regular to check the difference, but some auto engineers estimate that power declines roughly 5%.
"We can't guarantee the vehicle will perform as specified if other than premium fuel is used," says Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman Michelle Murad. All U.S. Mercedes engines specify premium.
All Porsche engines are designed for premium, too, but it's not available everywhere. "Our cars must be able to drive all over the world, and so we are able to run on regular," says Jakob Neusser, director of powertrain development at Porsche's research and development center in Weissach, Germany. "You don't have to feel that a mechanical problem or anything else will happen" using regular gas, even in the highest-performance, regular-production Porsches."
It's a good entire read if you wish http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...emiumgas_x.htm
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Philadelphia area
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I guess you can use what you want, but if you feel it will somehow harm the motor maybe you should put a little more faith in MB's technology or learn more about it. I had saved the quote below from when I bought my 04 w211 and it has had nothing but mid grade put in it since I bought it and never a ping or a problem.
"Today's engines use highly evolved versions of a device called a knock sensor to adjust settings automatically for low-octane gas. And more engine control computers have adequate memory to allow separate sets of instructions for various octanes. The engine control computers keep pushing to maximize performance on whatever grade of fuel is used.
Extreme pressure inside the cylinders causes knock, which is the sound of the pistons literally rattling inside the cylinders. Too much too long can damage the engine. A little now and then won't.
The only modern engines that should really need premium are those with superchargers, which force-feed fuel into the cylinders. "You're driving along and just tramp the gas and the knock sensor cannot sense the knock fast enough in some cases," because the supercharger boosts pressure so fast, says Bob Furey, chemist and fuels specialist at General Motors.
Burning regular when the owner's manual specifies premium won't void the warranty, nor damage the engine, even the most finicky automakers say. "You're giving up perhaps just a little bit of performance that a customer wouldn't really even notice, it's so slight," says Furey.
Automakers say they don't test premium engines on regular to check the difference, but some auto engineers estimate that power declines roughly 5%.
"We can't guarantee the vehicle will perform as specified if other than premium fuel is used," says Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman Michelle Murad. All U.S. Mercedes engines specify premium.
All Porsche engines are designed for premium, too, but it's not available everywhere. "Our cars must be able to drive all over the world, and so we are able to run on regular," says Jakob Neusser, director of powertrain development at Porsche's research and development center in Weissach, Germany. "You don't have to feel that a mechanical problem or anything else will happen" using regular gas, even in the highest-performance, regular-production Porsches."
It's a good entire read if you wish http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...emiumgas_x.htm
"Today's engines use highly evolved versions of a device called a knock sensor to adjust settings automatically for low-octane gas. And more engine control computers have adequate memory to allow separate sets of instructions for various octanes. The engine control computers keep pushing to maximize performance on whatever grade of fuel is used.
Extreme pressure inside the cylinders causes knock, which is the sound of the pistons literally rattling inside the cylinders. Too much too long can damage the engine. A little now and then won't.
The only modern engines that should really need premium are those with superchargers, which force-feed fuel into the cylinders. "You're driving along and just tramp the gas and the knock sensor cannot sense the knock fast enough in some cases," because the supercharger boosts pressure so fast, says Bob Furey, chemist and fuels specialist at General Motors.
Burning regular when the owner's manual specifies premium won't void the warranty, nor damage the engine, even the most finicky automakers say. "You're giving up perhaps just a little bit of performance that a customer wouldn't really even notice, it's so slight," says Furey.
Automakers say they don't test premium engines on regular to check the difference, but some auto engineers estimate that power declines roughly 5%.
"We can't guarantee the vehicle will perform as specified if other than premium fuel is used," says Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman Michelle Murad. All U.S. Mercedes engines specify premium.
All Porsche engines are designed for premium, too, but it's not available everywhere. "Our cars must be able to drive all over the world, and so we are able to run on regular," says Jakob Neusser, director of powertrain development at Porsche's research and development center in Weissach, Germany. "You don't have to feel that a mechanical problem or anything else will happen" using regular gas, even in the highest-performance, regular-production Porsches."
It's a good entire read if you wish http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...emiumgas_x.htm
#19
Super Member
You must of missed the point or didn't understand the article. I build race engines, I totally understand pre-ignition and octane requirement as well as anyone. I have to check each pistons compression requiremens after a build to assure I get the right octane gas as not to destroy a motor I just built. Thing is the motors I build have set timing, not variable with memory. I also understand the technology that prevents preignition. Middle grade fuel is not substandard fuel, it is fuel that is less resistant to preignition than a premium fuel, less flamable in lamens terms. Understand that these cars are not preigniting, you know combusting before the piston reaches TDC causing a ping. It's not happening because of the exact same technology most all manufacturers use in their cars today. How many engines you hear of today being riuned by preignition?
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
#22
I have used premium in both E's. Using a lower grade fuel will lower performance (the ECU has to retard the timing to accomodate a lower grade fuel) and for the same reason you will notice somewhat lower fuel economy. Spring for the extra and put into the car what the manufacturer recommends.
By the way, I lease my cars and do not have the mentality that I do not care because I don't own it. If that were the case, I wouldn't hand wash it and not take it to the car wash unless absolutely necessary. I lease for business reasons and so that I do not have one of these babies without a warranty.
By the way, I lease my cars and do not have the mentality that I do not care because I don't own it. If that were the case, I wouldn't hand wash it and not take it to the car wash unless absolutely necessary. I lease for business reasons and so that I do not have one of these babies without a warranty.