What premium fuel to use?
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E 350
What premium fuel to use?
My brand new E350 came with a full tank of gas and during the drive I was getting an economy reading of 19.0 mpg. After it was near empty I filled it up from premium fuel from local grocery (Krogers). I was worried to find the fuel economy was dropping to 16 and 14 mpg at times. Also the "eco" light on console was lit in Yellow (instead of the normal Green).
I contacted the dealer who advised me to use "Shell" premium gas. As soon as I did that, my fuel economy read 22mpg. What a difference between the premium fuels??? I'm amazed.
I contacted the dealer who advised me to use "Shell" premium gas. As soon as I did that, my fuel economy read 22mpg. What a difference between the premium fuels??? I'm amazed.
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From: SoCal
07 E63 AMG / 07 C230 / 14 E350
You can use pretty much what you want on fuel. I've used shell, chevron and most of the time I've used 76 depend where I'm at or who has cheaper prices. The ECO light can change automatically depend on the condition of your driving. You can either switch it on or off on the lower section above the ac switch.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
My brand new E350 came with a full tank of gas and during the drive I was getting an economy reading of 19.0 mpg. After it was near empty I filled it up from premium fuel from local grocery (Krogers). I was worried to find the fuel economy was dropping to 16 and 14 mpg at times. Also the "eco" light on console was lit in Yellow (instead of the normal Green).
I contacted the dealer who advised me to use "Shell" premium gas. As soon as I did that, my fuel economy read 22mpg. What a difference between the premium fuels??? I'm amazed.
I contacted the dealer who advised me to use "Shell" premium gas. As soon as I did that, my fuel economy read 22mpg. What a difference between the premium fuels??? I'm amazed.
I have learned that in many name brand gas stations including all of them gas can be really low quality and for sure not at the octane rating it says on the pump. For some reason every time I fill up at a Citgo station my gas mileage is the best.
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From: Canada
E350 4Matic 2011
My brand new E350 came with a full tank of gas and during the drive I was getting an economy reading of 19.0 mpg. After it was near empty I filled it up from premium fuel from local grocery (Krogers). I was worried to find the fuel economy was dropping to 16 and 14 mpg at times. Also the "eco" light on console was lit in Yellow (instead of the normal Green).
I contacted the dealer who advised me to use "Shell" premium gas. As soon as I did that, my fuel economy read 22mpg. What a difference between the premium fuels??? I'm amazed.
I contacted the dealer who advised me to use "Shell" premium gas. As soon as I did that, my fuel economy read 22mpg. What a difference between the premium fuels??? I'm amazed.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
My independent mechanic told me that it is best to avoid fuels with ethanol mixed in as it is corrosive. I now fill up with Shell as it does not have ethanol in the premium grade. I'm guessing that that might have some effect but I would not think to the extent you stated. Dropping at times, of course, depends on driving conditions. Did you check the long term average over the full tank?
Where is this Shell that has non-alcohol blended premium gas?
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From: Washington DC area
Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic
In Canada, they don't have to have stupid ethanol in the fuel. I would be willing to pay $1 extra a gallon not to have that crap in my fuel. I usually use Shell 93 octane.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Greenwich, CT
2014 E350 4Matic; 2016 GL350 Bluetec; 2005 F430 Spider
I use whatever 93 octane (91 is very rare in NYC area) is the cheapest with a credit card (some jokers charge a $0.10 swing on credit card purchases). I've been buying 93 octane BP gas in Yonkers, NY for 3.939 for the past few weeks. 93 in CT near me is 4.259 up to about 4.909.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I would also like fuel without ethanol in it but it is very hard to find. But in winter time I would always look for ethanol blend as ethanol takes care of the water in the fuel that could be a big problem if it freezes in the fuel system. And 10% ethanol is not that corrosive. E85 is another story.
Last edited by Arrie; Mar 1, 2014 at 07:59 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Miramar, FL
2012 E350 Sport, P1, AMG Wheels, Multi-contour seats
You probably can't avoid the 10% ethanol in most of the US, but that is OK per the 'Fuel requirements' section of the manual.
The 'Additives in gasoline' section goes on to say:
"One of the main problems of poor fuel quality is the forming of deposits that are caused during the gasoline combustion process. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use fuel brands that have the additives. If you use fuels without these additives for an extended period of time, there may be a buildup of carbon deposits, especially on the inlet valves and in the combustion chamber."
So I always use Top Tier Gasoline (http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html) retailers.
The 'Additives in gasoline' section goes on to say:
"One of the main problems of poor fuel quality is the forming of deposits that are caused during the gasoline combustion process. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use fuel brands that have the additives. If you use fuels without these additives for an extended period of time, there may be a buildup of carbon deposits, especially on the inlet valves and in the combustion chamber."
So I always use Top Tier Gasoline (http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html) retailers.
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E 350
My independent mechanic told me that it is best to avoid fuels with ethanol mixed in as it is corrosive. I now fill up with Shell as it does not have ethanol in the premium grade. I'm guessing that that might have some effect but I would not think to the extent you stated. Dropping at times, of course, depends on driving conditions. Did you check the long term average over the full tank?
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Bay Area, CA
2014 e350
You probably can't avoid the 10% ethanol in most of the US, but that is OK per the 'Fuel requirements' section of the manual.
The 'Additives in gasoline' section goes on to say:
"One of the main problems of poor fuel quality is the forming of deposits that are caused during the gasoline combustion process. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use fuel brands that have the additives. If you use fuels without these additives for an extended period of time, there may be a buildup of carbon deposits, especially on the inlet valves and in the combustion chamber."
So I always use Top Tier Gasoline (http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html) retailers.
The 'Additives in gasoline' section goes on to say:
"One of the main problems of poor fuel quality is the forming of deposits that are caused during the gasoline combustion process. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use fuel brands that have the additives. If you use fuels without these additives for an extended period of time, there may be a buildup of carbon deposits, especially on the inlet valves and in the combustion chamber."
So I always use Top Tier Gasoline (http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html) retailers.
Has any member on this forum experienced any issues using it?
Is it safe to use on a new e 350?
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From: Earth (Mostly)
2023 XC60 PHEV, 2023 XC40 BEV
I have used Costco and Chevron with my past two MB 's with no issues that I have seen. The drivers that deliver to Costco are unmarked, but a worker I know mention that they normally use Chevron, 76 or Tesoro, whatever the distributor prices the best.
Now at my local Costco they are adding a additive called "Clean Power" at many of their stations. More details at http://www.costco.com/gasoline.html
Now at my local Costco they are adding a additive called "Clean Power" at many of their stations. More details at http://www.costco.com/gasoline.html
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Used to use BP, but their prices for premium have gotten out of control. Now generally use QT premium. Just a little variation in driving style, route, traffic condtions, etc. can greatly influence MPG of "E" Class cars. Hard to really accurately determine true MPG.
I do add a bottle of Chevron Techron injector cleaner about twice per year and this is actually recommended by MB. Some dealers do it as part of their service.
If you don't want ethanol, contact your US House and Senate legislators. However, you are fighting a hugely profitable coalition of agri-business, transportation and distributors.
All gas sold in US has at least 10% ethanol, no matter the grade. You can find non-ethanol gas at some independent stations, but it usually costs quite a bit more. Then again, it is also from independent stations.
The very powerful ethanol industry is pushing hard for all stations to primarily sell 15% ethanol. Unless Congress stops it, they will succeed.
I spoke with the manager of a distribution center I know. Most people refer to these as "tank farms" that are located along the pipelines. The fuels that go into the trucks are primarily differentiated by the additives that are added to each truck before it leaves the tank farm.
I do add a bottle of Chevron Techron injector cleaner about twice per year and this is actually recommended by MB. Some dealers do it as part of their service.
If you don't want ethanol, contact your US House and Senate legislators. However, you are fighting a hugely profitable coalition of agri-business, transportation and distributors.
All gas sold in US has at least 10% ethanol, no matter the grade. You can find non-ethanol gas at some independent stations, but it usually costs quite a bit more. Then again, it is also from independent stations.
The very powerful ethanol industry is pushing hard for all stations to primarily sell 15% ethanol. Unless Congress stops it, they will succeed.
I spoke with the manager of a distribution center I know. Most people refer to these as "tank farms" that are located along the pipelines. The fuels that go into the trucks are primarily differentiated by the additives that are added to each truck before it leaves the tank farm.
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Pittsburgh
2012 E550
This is a problem that creeps up on you. With cheap gas you can start having rough starting idles at 15k miles.
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2012 e350
i remember reading on a car forum that all gas comes from the same place, the only difference is in the additives that add to it, and that costco gas is the same as arco gas which has additives that dont qualify for top tier gasoline status.
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Thanks for post on Top Tier gas. I googled it and read some other articles about it. Appears that a lot of brands are "certified." I use Quik Trip because premium is 25 cents per gal. cheaper than "name brands" such as BP and it is Top Tier classified.
Of course, who knows what the base gasoline is when it comes out of the pipeline and what additives the distributors add or subtract periodically.
Of course, who knows what the base gasoline is when it comes out of the pipeline and what additives the distributors add or subtract periodically.
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07 E63 AMG / 07 C230 / 14 E350
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From: Pittsburgh
2012 E550
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From: Canada
E350 4Matic 2011
Drive up to Canada! It is printed right on the stickers at the Shell pumps that the premium grade has no ethanol in it.
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Non-ethanol gas is available in the US
At http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WA
click on your state and you should find outlets for non-ethanol.
I have never read anything definitive on this topic but there has been enough chatter about the impact of ethanol on various fuel system components that I use nothing but non-ethanol. Don't forget that E350 W212 cars with the M278 engine are direct injection and use those extremely expensive piezoelectric injectors. I sure do not want those babies to get fouled by ethanol or other junk in the fuel. That Chevron fuel additive is also a good idea.
click on your state and you should find outlets for non-ethanol.
I have never read anything definitive on this topic but there has been enough chatter about the impact of ethanol on various fuel system components that I use nothing but non-ethanol. Don't forget that E350 W212 cars with the M278 engine are direct injection and use those extremely expensive piezoelectric injectors. I sure do not want those babies to get fouled by ethanol or other junk in the fuel. That Chevron fuel additive is also a good idea.
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
I wonder if there is a difference in gas recommendations for E350's that are E85 capable...I know some are and some aren't....looking at the labels on the gas cap. I have an e85 car but personally would never put the stuff in my gas tank. I burn sunoco 93 which for some unknown reason is a good buy in my area (SW Florida).
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2011 E550, 2008 SL55 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I wonder if there is a difference in gas recommendations for E350's that are E85 capable...I know some are and some aren't....looking at the labels on the gas cap. I have an e85 car but personally would never put the stuff in my gas tank. I burn sunoco 93 which for some unknown reason is a good buy in my area (SW Florida).
