Do you use premium gas in your glc?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 259
Likes: 44
From: Denver, Colorado
2018 GLC300 4matic SUV
I use ethanol free unleaded in the recommended grade. The ethanol free costs a fortune but I only drive 7000 miles per year so the price isn't a problem for me. I believe that a car runs best on the proper grade of fuel, obtained from a top-tier certified brand. My Subaru Forester XT runs great on it.
The car is designed and tested to run best a certain grade of fuel and it seems foolish to second guess that recommendation.
I don't disrespect those who choose to run other grades of fuel and lower quality fuels. But it's so easy to simply do what the manual recommends. It's reallu a personal a choice to do otherwise.
Does it really make a measurable difference if you run regular unleaded from the local Stop n Rob station? Maybe not. I'm not an expert in that. But for me perosonally I always run the recommended grade of fuel. No premium in regular cars and no regular in premium cars. YMMV
The car is designed and tested to run best a certain grade of fuel and it seems foolish to second guess that recommendation.
I don't disrespect those who choose to run other grades of fuel and lower quality fuels. But it's so easy to simply do what the manual recommends. It's reallu a personal a choice to do otherwise.
Does it really make a measurable difference if you run regular unleaded from the local Stop n Rob station? Maybe not. I'm not an expert in that. But for me perosonally I always run the recommended grade of fuel. No premium in regular cars and no regular in premium cars. YMMV
Super Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 632
Likes: 57
From: Trumbull, CT USA
Mercedes-Ben GLC300 4Matic
yes, i have always followed manufacturer's recommendation on fuel type.
i will admit in other vehicles i have owned i have tried regular grade for a few fill-ups here and with no adverse affect - though i thought the fuel economy may have dipped maybe 1 mpg, but really hard to confirm as the driving done in a week will vary
im sure the benz will undergo that same test as well when its older
one day perhaps i will wise up and buy a car that uses regular fuel
i will admit in other vehicles i have owned i have tried regular grade for a few fill-ups here and with no adverse affect - though i thought the fuel economy may have dipped maybe 1 mpg, but really hard to confirm as the driving done in a week will vary
im sure the benz will undergo that same test as well when its older
one day perhaps i will wise up and buy a car that uses regular fuel
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 25
From: S. Ca.
2015 C300, 2015 F-350 Platinum, 1969 Mach 1 428cj, 2007 Roadking
MB makes no extra money by you using premium. The rated horsepower and performance of the engine is based on the use of premium fuel. If your spending the money for a Mercedes and can't afford the extra dime for premium you should either get another job or trade it in on a Kia.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Corvette Grand Sport, GMC Denali, 2018 GLC 43 AMG SUV
If you want performance comparable to the advertised values you should use the recommended fuel type. If you choose to use a lower grade fuel, the knock sensors on your engine will recognize detonation (if you accelerate hard)and retard your timing to prevent engine damage. The resultant will be a decrease in power. The only time I would use a lower octane rating would be if I were running low on fuel & couldn't find hi test.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 25
From: S. Ca.
2015 C300, 2015 F-350 Platinum, 1969 Mach 1 428cj, 2007 Roadking
Super Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 632
Likes: 57
From: Trumbull, CT USA
Mercedes-Ben GLC300 4Matic
If you want performance comparable to the advertised values you should use the recommended fuel type. If you choose to use a lower grade fuel, the knock sensors on your engine will recognize detonation (if you accelerate hard)and retard your timing to prevent engine damage. The resultant will be a decrease in power. The only time I would use a lower octane rating would be if I were running low on fuel & couldn't find hi test.
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 10
From: Grand Rapids, MI
GenesisG70 '20 GLC300 DakotaBrwn/Silk '16
MB makes no extra money by you using premium. The rated horsepower and performance of the engine is based on the use of premium fuel. If your spending the money for a Mercedes and can't afford the extra dime for premium you should either get another job or trade it in on a Kia.
I do put only premium in mine, but I do put mid in my Audi as the manual indicates that no harm will result.
MB is silent on this point and since I don't put all that many miles on the Benz, I pony up for premium.
And for any poster that rips on a MB owner for being frugal, many of us can afford the MB due to ones frugal style along ones life.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Volvo xc70
Extra dime? Where? It's 30 cents more per gallon than mid and 60-70 more than reg. That's over 10%. Even on these boards, if there was a trick to improve gas milage by 10%, many would be all over it. Yet if one can reduce fuel costs by that, people rip on them? Uh, OK.
I do put only premium in mine, but I do put mid in my Audi as the manual indicates that no harm will result.
MB is silent on this point and since I don't put all that many miles on the Benz, I pony up for premium.
And for any poster that rips on a MB owner for being frugal, many of us can afford the MB due to ones frugal style along ones life.
I do put only premium in mine, but I do put mid in my Audi as the manual indicates that no harm will result.
MB is silent on this point and since I don't put all that many miles on the Benz, I pony up for premium.
And for any poster that rips on a MB owner for being frugal, many of us can afford the MB due to ones frugal style along ones life.
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 213
Likes: 29
From: Pennsylvania
2016 GLC300 4Matic
Amen. Because i was frugal and now in retirement i can afford almost any car i want, but this will be my only car so i don't want to buy premium if it does not matter. When i had a Lexus it said to use premium and i used the mid grade. Noticed no difference. Thank you for all your comments, i think the consensus is use premium.
For example, in India a GLC can be purchased with the same engine we have in the USA (4-cylinder turbo gas, 9.8:1 comp ratio, same ECU) yet in India both regular and premium gasolines are 91 RON (our 87 AKI). The “premium” branded gasolines are regular fuels with additives that do not change the octane but provide injector detergents. In limited metro areas of India, so-called “speed” petrols are available with higher octanes derived from octane boosting additives -- the types of additives that are expressly not recommended by M-B, at least in the US. By 2020 and in addition to 91 RON gasoline, India is expected to have 95 RON (our 91 AKI) gasoline available in limited market areas.
In some less developed regions of the world many luxury car owners use normal unleaded gasoline (our 87 octane) and, if available, periodically fill up with the “premium” branded gasoline (same octane with additives) to clean the injectors – a practice in compliance with various MB new car warranties outside the US. Of course, as required by EPA, all USA gasolines over the entire octane range have these detergents added in one form or another depending on the brand.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 25
From: S. Ca.
2015 C300, 2015 F-350 Platinum, 1969 Mach 1 428cj, 2007 Roadking
Extra dime? Where? It's 30 cents more per gallon than mid and 60-70 more than reg. That's over 10%. Even on these boards, if there was a trick to improve gas milage by 10%, many would be all over it. Yet if one can reduce fuel costs by that, people rip on them? Uh, OK.
I do put only premium in mine, but I do put mid in my Audi as the manual indicates that no harm will result.
MB is silent on this point and since I don't put all that many miles on the Benz, I pony up for premium.
And for any poster that rips on a MB owner for being frugal, many of us can afford the MB due to ones frugal style along ones life.
I do put only premium in mine, but I do put mid in my Audi as the manual indicates that no harm will result.
MB is silent on this point and since I don't put all that many miles on the Benz, I pony up for premium.
And for any poster that rips on a MB owner for being frugal, many of us can afford the MB due to ones frugal style along ones life.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 25
From: S. Ca.
2015 C300, 2015 F-350 Platinum, 1969 Mach 1 428cj, 2007 Roadking
Fuel for thought: Having driven in 15 countries around the world, I find that an understanding of octane ratings vs. engine requirements is never absolute. Indeed Mercedes vehicles are sold worldwide including nations like China and India where premium fuel, as we know it in the US, is widely unavailable.
For example, in India a GLC can be purchased with the same engine we have in the USA (4-cylinder turbo gas, 9.8:1 comp ratio, same ECU) yet in India both regular and premium gasolines are 91 RON (our 87 AKI). The “premium” branded gasolines are regular fuels with additives that do not change the octane but provide injector detergents. In limited metro areas of India, so-called “speed” petrols are available with higher octanes derived from octane boosting additives -- the types of additives that are expressly not recommended by M-B, at least in the US. By 2020 and in addition to 91 RON gasoline, India is expected to have 95 RON (our 91 AKI) gasoline available in limited market areas.
In some less developed regions of the world many luxury car owners use normal unleaded gasoline (our 87 octane) and, if available, periodically fill up with the “premium” branded gasoline (same octane with additives) to clean the injectors – a practice in compliance with various MB new car warranties outside the US. Of course, as required by EPA, all USA gasolines over the entire octane range have these detergents added in one form or another depending on the brand.
For example, in India a GLC can be purchased with the same engine we have in the USA (4-cylinder turbo gas, 9.8:1 comp ratio, same ECU) yet in India both regular and premium gasolines are 91 RON (our 87 AKI). The “premium” branded gasolines are regular fuels with additives that do not change the octane but provide injector detergents. In limited metro areas of India, so-called “speed” petrols are available with higher octanes derived from octane boosting additives -- the types of additives that are expressly not recommended by M-B, at least in the US. By 2020 and in addition to 91 RON gasoline, India is expected to have 95 RON (our 91 AKI) gasoline available in limited market areas.
In some less developed regions of the world many luxury car owners use normal unleaded gasoline (our 87 octane) and, if available, periodically fill up with the “premium” branded gasoline (same octane with additives) to clean the injectors – a practice in compliance with various MB new car warranties outside the US. Of course, as required by EPA, all USA gasolines over the entire octane range have these detergents added in one form or another depending on the brand.
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 10
From: Grand Rapids, MI
GenesisG70 '20 GLC300 DakotaBrwn/Silk '16
We used to be a dime.. then it went to 15... now it's 30... What the heck? So yeah, Prem is usually 60 cents more than reg..... sometimes more, depending upon the brand. Shell especially.
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 213
Likes: 29
From: Pennsylvania
2016 GLC300 4Matic
The USA version of the GLC is “detuned” as compared with, say, India’s version – a GLC with 3% more power output. Presumably, this slight power reduction results from the USA version of the GLC operating in an environment with more stringent emission standards than those of India. According to a study done by the AAA, lower octanes do not produce more harmful emissions. The level and quality of detergents in the fuel are the factors that play a major role in reducing emissions.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 266
Likes: 20
From: Australia
GLC 250D
I'm not so sure about that. There was a discussion about this here not all that long ago, and I did a little research and came to the opposite view. My understanding is that petrol (gas) with a higher octane rating is required in engines with higher compression ratings to prevent detonation. The manufacturer will tell you what the minimum rating for your vehicle is in your country. There are plenty of articles around that demonstrate that there are no benefits from using a higher octane rating than that. There's still no detonation, there's no better performance or economy, and there's no evidence that it keeps you engine 'cleaner', despite the advertising of the fuel companies. I found one test that concluded that in fact there was a higher proportion of unburnt hydrocarbons in the exhaust emissions from using a a higher octane rating than needed.
My conclusion is that at best you're wasting your money and at worst you may be polluting a little more. If anyone has any evidence to contradict this I'd like to read it.
The problem in my city is that it's easy to find the highest octane rating 98 (US 93), and no so easy to find the next rating down 95 (US 90), when a lot of cars including our B200 only require 95. 98 from Costco is usually cheaper than 95 from a service (gas) station, if you can find it.
My conclusion is that at best you're wasting your money and at worst you may be polluting a little more. If anyone has any evidence to contradict this I'd like to read it.
The problem in my city is that it's easy to find the highest octane rating 98 (US 93), and no so easy to find the next rating down 95 (US 90), when a lot of cars including our B200 only require 95. 98 from Costco is usually cheaper than 95 from a service (gas) station, if you can find it.
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 11
From: Johnson City, TN
2017 GLC300, 13 PorscheC4S, 12 Porsche Cayman S
I'm not so sure about that. There was a discussion about this here not all that long ago, and I did a little research and came to the opposite view. My understanding is that petrol (gas) with a higher octane rating is required in engines with higher compression ratings to prevent detonation. The manufacturer will tell you what the minimum rating for your vehicle is in your country. There are plenty of articles around that demonstrate that there are no benefits from using a higher octane rating than that. There's still no detonation, there's no better performance or economy, and there's no evidence that it keeps you engine 'cleaner', despite the advertising of the fuel companies. I found one test that concluded that in fact there was a higher proportion of unburnt hydrocarbons in the exhaust emissions from using a a higher octane rating than needed.
My conclusion is that at best you're wasting your money and at worst you may be polluting a little more. If anyone has any evidence to contradict this I'd like to read it.
The problem in my city is that it's easy to find the highest octane rating 98 (US 93), and no so easy to find the next rating down 95 (US 90), when a lot of cars including our B200 only require 95. 98 from Costco is usually cheaper than 95 from a service (gas) station, if you can find it.
My conclusion is that at best you're wasting your money and at worst you may be polluting a little more. If anyone has any evidence to contradict this I'd like to read it.
The problem in my city is that it's easy to find the highest octane rating 98 (US 93), and no so easy to find the next rating down 95 (US 90), when a lot of cars including our B200 only require 95. 98 from Costco is usually cheaper than 95 from a service (gas) station, if you can find it.
