Strategies to deal with skyrocketing fuel cost
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Strategies to deal with skyrocketing fuel cost
Anyone suggest novel or insightful idea, notion or discounts how to help to deal with the skyrocketing price of fuel?
Suggesting that one limits driving is not a novel idea so please offer useful strategies or proposals.
The forum will appreciate helpful ones.
Suggesting that one limits driving is not a novel idea so please offer useful strategies or proposals.
The forum will appreciate helpful ones.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Not sure what novel strategies you are expecting, but pretty much the main way to deal with it is to consume less or don't worry about it. Various fuel brands have rewards programs, but they really don't make all that much of a difference. I'm a member of the Shell Fuel Rewards program, but that knocks off 5 cents/gal mostly. I also use their mobile app to fuel, and every 4th fill I get another 5 cents. I could earn more rewards by shopping at their gas station stores or shop at specific places that they are doing a promotion with, but I'm not interested in most of that. Others like Chevron have rewards tied to Safeway Club card or whatever it's called and they give discounts if you use a branded credit card. They also have a mobile app. Both apps automatically submit the rewards information, so you don't have to remember it. Other options are finding lower priced gas stations, but you still wanna make sure it's Top Tier. If you are shopping at Costco, they have cheaper gas, but if you go out of your way to find cheap gas make sure you factor in the fuel you use to drive there and back.
Now if you wanna make a big change, then going electric obviously will free you from the cost of gas, or trade your W213 for a smaller economy car with much higher fuel economy, or a PHEV.
Now if you wanna make a big change, then going electric obviously will free you from the cost of gas, or trade your W213 for a smaller economy car with much higher fuel economy, or a PHEV.
Last edited by superswiss; Mar 8, 2022 at 11:58 PM.
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GasBuddy phone app will help you find competitive prices for Premium fuel in your area. I have three "favorite" gas stations (same brand) I frequent, each within a couple miles of my home. The app is useful in disclosing the best price among them. The differences can be pretty amazing, as each station will update their prices at different times during the day.
Last edited by DFWdude; Mar 9, 2022 at 07:37 AM.
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I hate to suggest this, because I know I will get berated. But my daughter's C320 (3.2L V6) is now 21 years old, and we've run it on MIDGRADE fuel the last 15 years. I waited until my warranty expired before switching to the 89 octane grade.
The car does not like 87 octane REGULAR at all (tried once). But it runs absolutely fine on Midgrade... 15 years and counting...
The car does not like 87 octane REGULAR at all (tried once). But it runs absolutely fine on Midgrade... 15 years and counting...
Last edited by DFWdude; Mar 9, 2022 at 07:46 AM.
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Drive less, walk and bike more, and use a more fuel efficient vehicle. Americans have not cared even less recently about fuel efficiency in years. Just saw a TV interview of a driver complaining of the cost of gas, asking why gas prices are going up, she was the one occupant of a supersized SUV, but failed to see the irony.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
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^^^ This, yes.
Since a full tank now costs the same as ten packs of brand name cigarettes, it's also time to give up the cancer sticks, too.
At least filling your gas tank will not kill you.
Since a full tank now costs the same as ten packs of brand name cigarettes, it's also time to give up the cancer sticks, too.
At least filling your gas tank will not kill you.
Last edited by DFWdude; Mar 9, 2022 at 01:01 PM.
Out Of Control!!
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Drive less, walk and bike more, and use a more fuel efficient vehicle. Americans have not cared even less recently about fuel efficiency in years. Just saw a TV interview of a driver complaining of the cost of gas, asking why gas prices are going up, she was the one occupant of a supersized SUV, but failed to see the irony.
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Unless its a heating oil tank. I just filled up my oil tank and it cost $1100. Last year this time of the year it was $400.
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For gas buddy, I guess it also depends on what region you are, some troll and report false prices (as where I live it is all user reported), I am too shocked like others here that use gasbuddy that even when the regular is higher at one station, the premium might actually be cheaper.
All great suggestions. I will try to list some stuff I think might be helpful that may not be listed by others yet (I apologize in advance if I listed something already mentioned):
To save gas I guess:
1. I guess not flooring it will help
2. coming to a gradual stop and not having to brake so often will help
3. catching green lights mainly and avoiding red lights should help too (as it does get annoying that if you miss one green light the rest followed will be red light). I wish MB has the traffic light assist system that another German competitor has (forgot what you call it).
4. Driving in eco mode and driving mainly on highways but at low RPM will help
5. leaving coasting on by allowing the engine to idle at highway speeds when it decouples the gearbox will help.
6. Try to use Waze or have traffic information ready at all times using another application you prefer so you can avoid them if you have to drive in the city. If you use sirusxm traffic with the built-in navigation, use the optimized route so it helps you avoid traffic.
7. Proper tire inflation will help with fuel economy as well.
8. Hope that helps.
All great suggestions. I will try to list some stuff I think might be helpful that may not be listed by others yet (I apologize in advance if I listed something already mentioned):
To save gas I guess:
1. I guess not flooring it will help
2. coming to a gradual stop and not having to brake so often will help
3. catching green lights mainly and avoiding red lights should help too (as it does get annoying that if you miss one green light the rest followed will be red light). I wish MB has the traffic light assist system that another German competitor has (forgot what you call it).
4. Driving in eco mode and driving mainly on highways but at low RPM will help
5. leaving coasting on by allowing the engine to idle at highway speeds when it decouples the gearbox will help.
6. Try to use Waze or have traffic information ready at all times using another application you prefer so you can avoid them if you have to drive in the city. If you use sirusxm traffic with the built-in navigation, use the optimized route so it helps you avoid traffic.
7. Proper tire inflation will help with fuel economy as well.
8. Hope that helps.
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For gas buddy, I guess it also depends on what region you are, some troll and report false prices (as where I live it is all user reported), I am too shocked like others here that use gasbuddy that even when the regular is higher at one station, the premium might actually be cheaper.
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That I understand but then at the same time I did actually compare two gas stations physically at once and despite the regular being higher at one gas station, that station's premium was lower, which I find it odd. I guess two possibilities: 1. The premium as you said is not commonly used and they want to clear up the old tank. I would believe they mix it to create premium, but I realized they mix regular with premium to create midgrade instead so that is not the reason. 2. At the gas station with the lower regular, people will just think the regular is cheaper there so the premium should also be.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Mar 9, 2022 at 01:57 PM.
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I certainly won't berate you, however would urge caution. On NA cars this "works." With turbo charging I would highly suggest going with premium.
I hate to suggest this, because I know I will get berated. But my daughter's C320 (3.2L V6) is now 21 years old, and we've run it on MIDGRADE fuel the last 15 years. I waited until my warranty expired before switching to the 89 octane grade.
The car does not like 87 octane REGULAR at all (tried once). But it runs absolutely fine on Midgrade... 15 years and counting...
The car does not like 87 octane REGULAR at all (tried once). But it runs absolutely fine on Midgrade... 15 years and counting...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
That I understand but then at the same time I did actually compare two gas stations physically at once and despite the regular being higher at one gas station, that station's premium was lower, which I find it odd. I guess two possibilities: 1. The premium as you said is not commonly used and they want to clear up the old tank. I would believe they mix it to create premium, but I realized they mix regular with premium to create midgrade instead so that is not the reason. 2. At the gas station with the lower regular, people will just think the regular is cheaper there so the premium should also be.
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If the particular gas station doesn't sell a lot of premium or midgrade, then one possibility is that they recently got a delivery of regular at a higher cost to them, and they still had plenty of premium in the tank purchased at a lower cost to them, and are honest about it instead of price gauging the customers. I'd probably avoid pumping at such gas station, though, as the premium fuel is likely old and possibly stale.
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E300
I live in the UAE where fuel prices are government controlled and exactly the same at all gas stations so I don't have to drive around trying to find the lowest price(Also prices here are still not as bad as the US). I'm just going to start cruising at 120 kph or less on the highway instead of my usual 140kph. Should lower fuel consumption a significant amount. I'm glad that I went with the 4 cylinder instead of the 6.
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What about everything else with inflated prices?
Milk? Meat, go to grocery store it is crazy and the shelves are never full anymore.
To me, fuel price increases should be treated like toilet paper price increases (yeah it increased too)
Just because the price went up does not mean I will use any less -
Use what ya need and make sure you leave some on the roll for the wife.
PS a real solution is to work from home and drive less!
Milk? Meat, go to grocery store it is crazy and the shelves are never full anymore.
To me, fuel price increases should be treated like toilet paper price increases (yeah it increased too)
Just because the price went up does not mean I will use any less -
Use what ya need and make sure you leave some on the roll for the wife.
PS a real solution is to work from home and drive less!
