dgiturbo

Anyone ever try E-85 in their gas ML? MB website says it's a flex fuel vehicle.
If so, what was your mileage difference or any performance change?
Thanks.

venchka

I tried one tank in a Chevy HHR rental car for the 250 mile trip home. I almost didn't make it without running out. I filled up with regular for the trip home. Burned about half a tank in the same distance. Not scientific but clear as mud. Like everything else about ethanol, E-85 is a crock.
Where is it stated? Is the GLK 350 included?

Wayne

GregW / Oregon

Where did you read that specifically?

dgiturbo

Mercedes Home Page.

Scroll down, below the Hydrogen fuel commercial, there you will see the banner for E-85 available for C E and M classes.

Also on the MB website spec page for the ML350:

Engine, Drivetrain, and Performance
Engine
Net power 302 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Fuel tank capacity 24.6 gallons
Net torque 273 lb-ft @ 3,500 - 5,250 rpm
Compression ratio 12 (Wow!!)
Construction
Diecast alloy block and alloy heads
Fuel requirement
E85/Premium unleaded (FFV option), or
Premium unleaded

Fuel economy
City fuel economy 17
18 (FFV option)
Highway fuel economy 22
23 (FFV option)

So they are advertising that it gives BETTER mileage with E-85?? Never found this to be true in the real world, but also never driven a GDI ML350.

GregW / Oregon

Good spotting - hadn't seen that before. It's certainly not listed as an option in the "build" section. If mileage is better on E85, that would be a first AFAIK.

jweezy

Regardless it shouldn't hurt the engine. It just won't perform upto standard. 0-60 and such, increase or decrease in mpg.

amdeutsch

Except it will hurt supporting hardware, fuel lines, etc., over time being more corrosive unless it was specifically designed that way.; i.e MY dependent.

jweezy

Over time I wouldn't do it. I was letting the poster know - just because it happened his engine is still fine.

GregW / Oregon

Wrong. Alcohol absorbs water readily, so the fuel system must be designed for it. The engine must also be calibrated to avoid damaging detonation.

jweezy

Maybe overtime - Doing it one time is not going to hurt anything. You could put 87 in our engines one time and be fine.

Like I said the guy above who put E-85 in his HHR is will be fine.

venchka

That was me. The HHR was labeled for FlexFuel. Biggest scam ever in my opinion. 250 miles on a tank of E85 vs. 250 miles on half a tank of regular. Do the math.
Obviously M-B wants to keep the FFV (what is that?) Option a secret.
Also, M-B says you need a special optional engine to burn E85. Not the standard engine.

Wayne

jweezy

I don't think they have that engine for the ML. Its fine anyway, you stated before that the E85 is a decrease in mpg even though its cheaper.

dgiturbo

So the owners manual says NO, but the web site boasts YES.

Which one has it right?
Usually when I see a FFV vehicle, there is a badge on it, like the domestic vehicles. I have seen this sticker on the inside of the fuel lid on a loaner C class last year.
Any tech's out there that can shed some light on this?

I know that Flex Fuel Vehicles need special lines and a calibration to the computer, but is this a case where MB just didn't label the vehicles and used a reprint of last years manual? Or the web site is "ahead of itself"

Can anyone say if the emissions sticker under the hood advises FFV capable?

venchka

To Flex or not to Flex? That is the question.
Google around the Interweb. There are E-85 calculators that will give you a break even point based on fuel price differential and mpg. Today, in Houston, E-85 is $0.50 to $0.70 less than 93 octane premium. Find an online calculator. Do the math. Factor in the scarcity of E-85. I have 2 sources conveient to me in Houston. However, the supply is spotty-often none available. Beyond the city availability drops to zero. Unlike diesel which is available everywhere.
E-85 is the answer to a question that nobody asked.
By the way, apparenty M-B doesn't offer FFVs. Call MBUSA. Ask them.

Wayne

GregW / Oregon

It's a major farm subsidy that drives up food prices worldwide. Shortsighted, IMO.

twodivers

They may no longer offer them with all the new BlueEfficiency stuff, but my '08 C is FFV. It's in the manual and on the filler door. Never have used E85 though, and never will!

venchka

Here you go. Government numbers for a 2004 C-Class. 20 mpg premium gas. 14 mpg E-85. That confirms my 1 tank "test" in my first post.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/20419.shtml

Wayne