jeffreyjames

Jeez. Gas down here is 4.50/gallon for 93. We don't really even have 91. Does everyone put 93 in, or is lower ok? I'm leasing, I don't own it, so as long as it doesn't drastically reduce performance or hurt the engine I'd like to put lower grade in. $80 to fill the tank today on 93.

mbuster25

Not only do I put the recommended 91+ at 93, I even put in premium for whatever C-class loaners I've used also, and I wasn't close to owning the loaner of course.

Why take the risk to save a few bucks, for what maybe $100-150/yr? Even in a lease, you are responsible for properly maintaining the vehicle.

jeffreyjames

Good point. However it's really about $500/year or $50/month for me. I wouldn't do it if its truly harmful to the engine, there has just been talk out there that there isn't aterrinlemdanger out there with 89 octane. Although this could be very untrue.

alanme123

There was a thread somewhere here that people said they were putting in 87 and it was totally fine. However recommended is at least 91 octane. Do a search on here and you should find it.

listerone

I've owned two Infinities ('03 & '08),both of which featured Nissan's 3.5 litre V6.Both cars *recommended* 91 octane but specifically said that 87 could be used with reduced performance but no damage to the vehicle.Unless I'm mistaken Mercedes *requires* 91 for all its vehicles sold in North America and warns of damage if anything less is used.I don't have a dog in this fight but,particularly when the car's under warranty,why take a chance?

jeffreyjames

Another good point indeed.

alanme123

I personally do not know why people put in 87 octane for a car of this price. My thoughts are if someone can afford this car, they would not mind having to pay only a few hundred more per year for gas. But again, thats my opinion. People can do whatever they choose to with their car.

jeffreyjames

Yes. That's your opinion. Thx for sharing.

J666

I only put 91 in my E-coupe.

hyperion667

haha, 93

bob2011

wait.......... there is a 93 octane?!?!?! WTF MATE.

jeffreyjames

Haha, so funny. "Mate". So someone gets a number wrong, call him out. You've never made a mistake before? Sarcasm never aides in community.

RyanRice

I imagine Mercedes has some type of knock sensing system in place to determine when there is detonation (usually caused by lower quality fuels) in the engine, and can reduce ignition timing to prevent damage. In fact I can't see a way around having something like that in place because not all 91/93 octanes are made the same and you can't build a spark/ignition map based on one brand of fuel.

That said, I would recommend the 91+ as that is what their engine calibrators used in building the programming for the engine. Anything less is a potential risk. Will anything bad happen? Probably not, but in the event it did, they could certainly test the fuel quality and deny warranty based on that. 500/year isn't a bad price to pay to ensure that isn't your fault. Also there will be a performance hit, whether or not you can measure it depends on how hard you push the engine, how much it adjusts its timing based on the fuel, and how accustomed you are to minute differences in power.

RyanRice

93 octane certainly exists, it's more of an Eastern US thing. Here in FL, we never see 91, only 93.

bob2011

I was implying that I did not know there was a 93 octane since there is only 91 in the United states.............. I say WTF MATE all the time, I did not mean it in a racist sarcatic way.................. EDIT there is a 93 in the states, but I haven't seen it :/ so my mistake. but again I was not calling Op out or being sarcatic or anything.

bob2011

I thought there was only 91. I have never seen 93 in the states.

ghstudio

Of course the solution is to buy the Diesel....no choice, you get what they have in the tank

jeffreyjames

I'm really sorry. Baby was up all night so I may not be seeing things clearly. I was thinking that perhaps There wasn't a 93 and I mistakenly said it instead of 91. Ugh. Didn't think you we're being racist. Forget I said anything!

eagle_lex

i only use 91 or higher. no need to chance it IMO.

michael10128

if you can afford a 60K car, you can afford premium

hyperion667

maybe I meant 91.......

ImInPA

I just love the smell of diesel in the morning....

SKYKING44

Here in Minnesota they offer three grades of fuel with Ethanol, 87,89,92.
However, because of the boating, snowmobiling, motorcycle and off road vehicles a few stations have Non-oxygenated 91 premium fuel. That is the best thing I can get for all my vehicles. I get about 10% better milage and the shelf/tank life is much longer.

The ethanol percentage currently is 10% but the corn/farmer lobby petitioned to have the gov. vote in 15% once it is available. To me that is like putting corn syrup in your tank.

The good news is The Minnesota Street Rod Association (MSRA) publishes a list, by city/town where the Non-oxy fuel is available. They do not want the crap ethanol in their prized hot rods.

eNNCity

THIS.

alboogiee

Cash Money Millionaires said it best, “ got a quarter tank a gas in my new e-class"…hood rich.