USA 2014 GLK250 trip fuel economy experience
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
2001 ML430, 2014 GLK250
USA 2014 GLK250 trip fuel economy experience
EPA rating of 33 MPG
Just purchased a slightly used GLK250 with a bit over 7,000 miles and took it on a trip through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado including the Colorado Plateau of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Altitudes ranged from about 4,000 to over 12,000'.
9,004 miles resulting in 38.99 MPG. That is not a typo, 39MPG.
Some testing with the instantaneous MPG indicator explained it. Driving on a level road at 65 MPH pinned the indicator at 40 MPG. Increasing to 75 dropped it to 33. Repeated the test several times for consistency and used the cruise control to maintain speed. This engine falls off its thermal efficiency curve very rapidly.
Side notes:
1. While not as good overall, it achieves much better fuel economy going uphill than our 2009 Camry hybrid. On a similar trip the Camry got 41.4. The GLK will get 30 on a hill that drops the Camry below 20.
2. On the long climb from Frisco to the Eisenhower Tunnel, cruise control set to 60 mph, it stayed in 7th gear at 1,600 rpm. Our 2001 ML430 bounces between 3rd and 4th, I usually just hold it in 3rd (5 speed automatic). The ML has 31" tires or it might handle it in 4th.
Just FYI.
Just purchased a slightly used GLK250 with a bit over 7,000 miles and took it on a trip through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado including the Colorado Plateau of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Altitudes ranged from about 4,000 to over 12,000'.
9,004 miles resulting in 38.99 MPG. That is not a typo, 39MPG.
Some testing with the instantaneous MPG indicator explained it. Driving on a level road at 65 MPH pinned the indicator at 40 MPG. Increasing to 75 dropped it to 33. Repeated the test several times for consistency and used the cruise control to maintain speed. This engine falls off its thermal efficiency curve very rapidly.
Side notes:
1. While not as good overall, it achieves much better fuel economy going uphill than our 2009 Camry hybrid. On a similar trip the Camry got 41.4. The GLK will get 30 on a hill that drops the Camry below 20.
2. On the long climb from Frisco to the Eisenhower Tunnel, cruise control set to 60 mph, it stayed in 7th gear at 1,600 rpm. Our 2001 ML430 bounces between 3rd and 4th, I usually just hold it in 3rd (5 speed automatic). The ML has 31" tires or it might handle it in 4th.
Just FYI.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
2001 ML430, 2014 GLK250
This is calculated, US gallons. Based on the terrain we were driving through, I estimate around 42 for level ground at a 65 max. We are planning a longer flatter trip this coming spring, will post the results.
Wonder what the GLA will get when they add the diesel?
Wonder what the GLA will get when they add the diesel?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 17
From: Redding, CA
'85 190D , '12 E350 BlueTec, '13 GLK 250 BlueTec
You're consistent with my experience. I drive much faster than you do usually in cruise around 80 mph, sometimes a bit faster but staying under 90. In 3 recent runs from Northern California, one to Wyoming, one to Texas and another to Oregon, all mileage calculated from the pump, averaged fraction below 36 mpg. Only exception was a run from Northern Wyoming to Salt Lake City where I had to drive @ 50 mph using a space saver spare. I averaged 38 mpg on that one.
My runs near home are much shorter and sometimes involve city traffic. With a lot of the latter I've gone as low as 32-33 mpg.
My runs near home are much shorter and sometimes involve city traffic. With a lot of the latter I've gone as low as 32-33 mpg.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver WA
'14 GLK250 Diesel
7000 miles. Mileage based on actual gallons pumped, not the computer [which is always about 3-5% on the optimistic side]:
-Pure city driving [less than 5% of the time for us]: 26 mpg
-Suburban grocery / doctor / shopping runs: 31-32 mpg
-Long highway trips [70-75 mph average]: 35-37 mpg
I couldn't be happier - our '10 gasoline GLK strained to deliver 23-24 mpg on trips.
And yes, restraining speeds to around 65 mph will indeed return consumption figures near 39-40 mpg. We've averaged 39 mpg a couple of times under favorable conditions.
-Pure city driving [less than 5% of the time for us]: 26 mpg
-Suburban grocery / doctor / shopping runs: 31-32 mpg
-Long highway trips [70-75 mph average]: 35-37 mpg
I couldn't be happier - our '10 gasoline GLK strained to deliver 23-24 mpg on trips.
And yes, restraining speeds to around 65 mph will indeed return consumption figures near 39-40 mpg. We've averaged 39 mpg a couple of times under favorable conditions.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
14 GLK 250 BT
I also like to fuel when the low fuel lamp/buzzer goes off. Stated capacity is 15.6 gals, aka mpg per tank full. While mpg will vary, the low fuel indictor goes off@ app the same amount of fuel LEFT.
The fact that most of CO is @ altitude is also a further plus for TDI operation. So for example, Denver is at app 5,280 ft.
The fact that most of CO is @ altitude is also a further plus for TDI operation. So for example, Denver is at app 5,280 ft.
Last edited by Rdub; Oct 14, 2014 at 10:42 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Coaldale in Southern Alberta
2014 GLK250
Glad to see we are not out of line at 45.6 mpg imperial or 38 mpg US calculated (80% hiway).
We recently took position of a 2014 GLK250 with 29,300 km (18,200 miles) & have only fuelled up 3 times so still learning what the average will be.
We recently took position of a 2014 GLK250 with 29,300 km (18,200 miles) & have only fuelled up 3 times so still learning what the average will be.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 24
2014 GLK250
As I stated here : https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...y-mileage.html I got some sick mileage coming home from the dealership (boring 64 mph, flat road, a few dips at 50 mph for road work (like 3-4 miles tops), and I got 50 US mpg.
Normal city driving is a bit higher, around 29 mpg, but using the instant mpg reading on the highway, it frequently drops at or around 47 mpg.
Great for a 4 500lb SUV.
Normal city driving is a bit higher, around 29 mpg, but using the instant mpg reading on the highway, it frequently drops at or around 47 mpg.
Great for a 4 500lb SUV.
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