What kinda gas do you use?
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2006 CLK350
What kinda gas do you use?
Obviously this is a MB forum, so the OBVIOUS answer is 93 (and i guess 91 in states where they dont have 93%). My friend bought a 2003 S500 new a couple years ago and pours 91, which is the "medium" one in our state. The car runs great and power is great. I bought a CLK350 and i chose to use 91 as well. (i'm only asking because I had an award winning organic chemistry professor that worked for exxon a couple of years ago and he told me that there really is no difference, unless your car is really high performance) Does any one REALLY notice a difference while pouring good gas and "bad gas"?
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You must use fuel that meets the minimum requirement for your car. In most cases (and for me when in California) this is premium fuel. If you use fuel that has too low of an octane rating (higher volitility) you may get pre-ignition, worse fuel economy, less power, and possibly engine damage. I personally use the highest octane fuel available wherever I am.
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Very simple answer, use what your owner's guide tell you to. Most modern Mercedes require 91 (R+M/2 in the US) octane. I use 93 because it is the most commonly found here. In other parts of the world, they use either motor octane or research octane numbers. Here, we use an average between the two, but this is hardly rocket science to discern the difference.
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From: Huntington NY
S560
That's gotta be tough on the digestive system ...
I cannot fathom a reason to save a buck or two by buying cheaper gas when the outcome could be lower economy, less power and possible engine damage. If the purse strings are that tight, buy a Honda...
I cannot fathom a reason to save a buck or two by buying cheaper gas when the outcome could be lower economy, less power and possible engine damage. If the purse strings are that tight, buy a Honda...
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
If he is putting in 91, that is what MB recommends. As long as he's doing that, its fine. Remember, not every state has 93, what might be considered "mid-grade" in those states that have 93, 91 is considered the "highest" grade in those states that don't have 93.
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From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
Use the octane recommended by the maker. Since the 90's, cars have come with "knock sensors" that can adjust the engine timing if predetonation is detected, but that should only be considered a "last resort" safety measure.
Using a higher than recommended octane in a modern street car because you think it gives "more power" or is "manly" or because "it's more expensive, so it must be better" is pretty silly.
Using a higher than recommended octane in a modern street car because you think it gives "more power" or is "manly" or because "it's more expensive, so it must be better" is pretty silly.
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From: St George Utah
2017 SL63
91 octane is the highest available here.
Except for 100 octane race gas that is almost double in price.
the SL runs great on the 91.... much better on the 100 the few times I put it in.
Except for 100 octane race gas that is almost double in price.
the SL runs great on the 91.... much better on the 100 the few times I put it in.
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From: Nuevo México
2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
Also remember to use gasoline that meets the Top Tier standard.
www.toptiergas.com
Click on the list of retailers to find what meets the standard in your area. The Top Tier standard measures cleanliness and detergent content, not octane.
www.toptiergas.com
Click on the list of retailers to find what meets the standard in your area. The Top Tier standard measures cleanliness and detergent content, not octane.
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From: Scripps Ranch, San Diego, CA
'05 C55 AMG '15 Jeep SRT '11 G37S
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2018 Mercedes E63 S, Boring SUV, 2015 CLS63 AMR Stage 1 (traded), 2015 Audi S8 w/ APR stage 2 (sold)
I'm sure there's a station that has 100 octane somewhere in your area. You do live in CA, not SD. You probably never looked for it.
I have a CL 600 V12tt and absolutely notice the difference with 100 vs 93.
I have a CL 600 V12tt and absolutely notice the difference with 100 vs 93.
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From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
Fuel and Octane Are Important
Check out my post in the Mercedes Tech Talk section under the thread "Gas". I posted it very recently and it outlines the importance of using high octane... for some subtle reasons!
For the poll, I use Chevron premium - 92 octane in California; 93 octane in Texas. In a pinch, Union 76. However, I would like to try 100 octane for the hell of it. Don't the Northeast guys still get it dispensed at Sunoco? (Or am I dating myself with old memories from the '80s?)
For the poll, I use Chevron premium - 92 octane in California; 93 octane in Texas. In a pinch, Union 76. However, I would like to try 100 octane for the hell of it. Don't the Northeast guys still get it dispensed at Sunoco? (Or am I dating myself with old memories from the '80s?)
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From: Huntington NY
S560
The highest I have seen is Sunoco 94. I have bought racing fuel which comes in a 55 gallon drum, but man that stuff is pricey these days. On a regular n/a vehicle there should be almost no perceptable difference from 93 to 100. The car is designed to run on 91, and as such it is not programmed to take advantage of the higher octane. You would notice a difference if the gas you were using was causing detonation, as in if you were using 87, or if it was not really 91/93 (station error/manipulation).
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Just a note to those who say higher octane (than 91) will not benefit the car. Remember that 91 is not the reccomended octane for MB, it is the MINIMUM, it is quite probably that the cars will adjust themselves for higher octane. I believe the engine management systems will adjust themselves for optimizing up to US 97 or 98, so above that it may be a waste, but certainly fuel better than 91 will benefit your car. I know at the very least that the engine control units will adjust and optimize for Euro 100 about US 96 or 97.
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From: St George Utah
2017 SL63
I forgot to mention...
when I had the dyno done on the car, the fellow told me Chevron gas (which is all I had ever used for years) was just about the worst gas. I have since had others tell me the same thing.
Union 76 is the best gas for your car.
when I had the dyno done on the car, the fellow told me Chevron gas (which is all I had ever used for years) was just about the worst gas. I have since had others tell me the same thing.
Union 76 is the best gas for your car.
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From: Huntington NY
S560
Just a note to those who say higher octane (than 91) will not benefit the car. Remember that 91 is not the reccomended octane for MB, it is the MINIMUM, it is quite probably that the cars will adjust themselves for higher octane. I believe the engine management systems will adjust themselves for optimizing up to US 97 or 98, so above that it may be a waste, but certainly fuel better than 91 will benefit your car. I know at the very least that the engine control units will adjust and optimize for Euro 100 about US 96 or 97.
At no point does the car say "wow this gas feels good, lets increase timing and fuels curves to increase power"
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From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
I think your dyno guy has a grudge against Chevron. I have yet to find anyone in the California Bay Area, Orange County or here in the Austin, Tx area that doesn't like Chevron - except for a higher price per gallon! My experience has been very good using Chevron premium and I've used it for years. I suppose an individual station may have issues, such as water or contaminants in the tank. But for the most part, it's very good fuel. In realistic city/highway driving, any top-tier fuel will be quite acceptable. Does your dyno guy have any data to share to substantiate his claim?
