Octane Fuel Used for 2020 GLE450
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Joined: Aug 2019
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GLE 450
Octane Fuel Used for 2020 GLE450
Reading over the information in the manual and it call for 93 Octane fuel. Has anyone used Regular Unleaded or stuck with the Unleaded Premium. I also have a 2014 E350 and have always ran Regular Unleaded and have had no problems.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Fuel octane
That is a poor idea, IMO. The car will run, but you are giving up performance, economy and will have a dirtier engine in the long run (both internally, and with emissions). The engineers spent a lot of work optimizing the engine, and you are compromising it. The manual recommends against using low ocatanes on a regular basis for reasons. Use Premium. This is not an cheap econobox.
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20 GLE on order, 17 GLC 300 4M, Ducati 1299R
Read my post and related ones here: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post7775118
That is a poor idea, IMO. The car will run, but you are giving up performance, economy and will have a dirtier engine in the long run (both internally, and with emissions). The engineers spent a lot of work optimizing the engine, and you are compromising it. The manual recommends against using low ocatanes on a regular basis for reasons. Use Premium. This is not an cheap econobox.
That is a poor idea, IMO. The car will run, but you are giving up performance, economy and will have a dirtier engine in the long run (both internally, and with emissions). The engineers spent a lot of work optimizing the engine, and you are compromising it. The manual recommends against using low ocatanes on a regular basis for reasons. Use Premium. This is not an cheap econobox.
I read your other post, it says in the selection of the manual you posted “if you want maximum engine performance” use 91 or 95. Then it explains if you use regular fuel to only fill half full. My GLE is in order purgatory for now so I can’t look. What does it saying the fuel door or cap? Required?
I get that you may loose some power and fuel economy because the engine can further advance the ignition to get more power from the engine with higher octane fuel. The fact that it is able to do that seems to indicate the module controlling the engine can vary timing based on octane somehow. To avoid paying out lots of warranty claims it seems that the manufacturers have figured this out in terms of fuel grades. Seems like a way to protect themselves against the consumer.
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 444
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From: New England
2020 GLE 450 AMG exterior
I agree with Greg, particularly since whatever little bit of money you save on fuel, you'll probably end up putting 10 times or more into unnecessary repairs/maintenance on the back end. If you drive 10,000 miles per year and average 25 miles per gallon, you're putting 400 gallons of fuel in your car. Here in New England, regular octane fuel usually runs about 50 cents per gallon cheaper than premium. Even if the car maintained its fuel economy, which it wouldn't, you'd save about $200 a year, at best. Not worth the potential negative effects on your engine, IMO.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Ohio/Florida
2023 GLC 300 4MATIC
You know what I meant. German engineering vs a cheaper Chevy, GMC, Ford.
Come on, if you are too cheap to use the required premium fuel, perhaps a Ford Escape would be a better fit. You can even take it to Jiffy Lube with a coupon and save on maintenance.
Come on, if you are too cheap to use the required premium fuel, perhaps a Ford Escape would be a better fit. You can even take it to Jiffy Lube with a coupon and save on maintenance.
Last edited by guitarplayer; Aug 14, 2019 at 07:55 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Fuel octane
I read your other post, it says in the selection of the manual you posted “if you want maximum engine performance” use 91 or 95. Then it explains if you use regular fuel to only fill half full. My GLE is in order purgatory for now so I can’t look. What does it saying the fuel door or cap? Required?
I get that you may loose some power and fuel economy because the engine can further advance the ignition to get more power from the engine with higher octane fuel. The fact that it is able to do that seems to indicate the module controlling the engine can vary timing based on octane somehow.
I get that you may loose some power and fuel economy because the engine can further advance the ignition to get more power from the engine with higher octane fuel. The fact that it is able to do that seems to indicate the module controlling the engine can vary timing based on octane somehow.
To avoid paying out lots of warranty claims it seems that the manufacturers have figured this out in terms of fuel grades. Seems like a way to protect themselves against the consumer.
Also, as a general rule, if you already read the other thread where this subject was discussed, you should add to that instead of creating a new one. That way thread clutter is reduced and relevant information is together.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
I wouldn't rule out the possibility of engine damage using lower octane fuel - under heavy load and hot ambient conditions, there's a ton of stress on any forced induction engine. I also believe that in the event of a mechanical issue, there is some way for the service tech to discern the octane of the fuel being consumed at the time of the issue - I definitely don't want to be having that conversation for an extra $10 per week in premium fuel cost.
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
Higher octane levels can also mean more ethanol which has not been discussed here, but is related to the topic. I do not like to have ethanol in any of my gas engines due to the problems it creates. I purchase ethanol free - which in my market (Ontario Canada) means premium fuel only available at Shell. 91 octane is the highest they offer. All other brands of all grades and octane levels here have ethanol of 5 - 10%. I don't currently have a gas Mercedes (waiting for a GLS580) so I can't say what MB recommends with regard to ethanol. I am curious what the octane level MB requires for Canada - 91 is normally the highest octane offered here. From my travels, many States have some ethanol content in their gas. What does MB state regarding ethanol percentages?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Fuel octane
Higher octane levels can also mean more ethanol which has not been discussed here, but is related to the topic. I do not like to have ethanol in any of my gas engines due to the problems it creates. I purchase ethanol free - which in my market (Ontario Canada) means premium fuel only available at Shell. 91 octane is the highest they offer. All other brands of all grades and octane levels here have ethanol of 5 - 10%. I don't currently have a gas Mercedes (waiting for a GLS580) so I can't say what MB recommends with regard to ethanol. I am curious what the octane level MB requires for Canada - 91 is normally the highest octane offered here. From my travels, many States have some ethanol content in their gas. What does MB state regarding ethanol percentages?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 446
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From: Montreal, QC
2020 GLE450 4Matic AMG-Line
Higher octane levels can also mean more ethanol which has not been discussed here, but is related to the topic. I do not like to have ethanol in any of my gas engines due to the problems it creates. I purchase ethanol free - which in my market (Ontario Canada) means premium fuel only available at Shell. 91 octane is the highest they offer. All other brands of all grades and octane levels here have ethanol of 5 - 10%. I don't currently have a gas Mercedes (waiting for a GLS580) so I can't say what MB recommends with regard to ethanol. I am curious what the octane level MB requires for Canada - 91 is normally the highest octane offered here. From my travels, many States have some ethanol content in their gas. What does MB state regarding ethanol percentages?
Generally speaking, in Quebec, Esso, Ultramar, Shell, Irving, etc. all sell 91 octane without any ethanol added. All brands are supplied from the same refinery, and then the additives are combined at the ramp, then delivered to the stations.
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
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20 GLE on order, 17 GLC 300 4M, Ducati 1299R
Thanks! I normally buy 91 for the GLC and always for the Ducati (with no ethanol). I will say in winter if 91 is offered without ethanol (some stations have both types of 91 and others do not here) I will put in 89 (E10) when its really cold and keep the tank quite full as well.
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
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From: NY
2020 GLE 450
If buying Super or Premium gas for your GLE is an issue, maybe you should be driving a Toyota, Hyundai or any other non luxury car than Mercedes.
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Joined: May 2020
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2107 MB GLE 350
Mercedes V6 are high compression engines, vs Toyota, Honda, etc. Because of this, you need the fuel to be less likely to detonate early, so that full compression can proceed before detonation. Using lower octane fuel means that the fuel:air mixture will detonate before full compression is reached, ie before the cylinder reaches the top of the stroke (also known as knock). This will reduce efficiency, power and lead to damage to the engine. The computer will attempt to retard or forward timing to compensate.
Using higher octane in lower compression engines really has no impact, since there is little advantage. But in a higher compression engine, lower octane fuel can lead to damage or at the very least lower gas mileage, as you are not getting the full power from each cycle.
Using higher octane in lower compression engines really has no impact, since there is little advantage. But in a higher compression engine, lower octane fuel can lead to damage or at the very least lower gas mileage, as you are not getting the full power from each cycle.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: South Fl
EQE 350+, EQS 450+, AMG C63
93 FTW the car runs better plain and simple. Yes these days fuel cost are high and there is no signs of slowing but that is what you sign up for when you purchase vehicles with high compression engines. Power costs money 
Junior Member
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2025 GLE 63S SUV
Ethanol-Free Fuel
in it. It does cost more than premium but it does make a difference!
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From: Apex, NC
2022 GLE 450, 2024 Volvo XC 60
The poster asked a simple question about fuel grades and you had to respond as an arrogant snob. I guess we all should be impressed that you have a Mercedes and use premium gas. Congrats to you!!
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Thanks for that post. There have been several posters on this thread who want to make snide comments about heritage or wealth, but have no real information to share. Methinks they must have some sort of "complex."
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From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
If you REALLY want to get crazy, try ethanol free (AKA recreational) fuel! Our Service Manager mentioned it to us and we found a Sunoco and RaceTrac near us that have it. The GLE 63S runs noticeably smoother without the ethanol (AKA corn🌽 in it. It does cost more than premium but it does make a difference!
in it. It does cost more than premium but it does make a difference!Last edited by Ron.s; Sep 25, 2021 at 05:51 PM.
