ML550 Fuel Econ Way Off
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 3
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From: Canada
2013 ML550 4Matic AMG, 2006 ML350
ML550 Fuel Econ Way Off
Hey friends,
Just bought a 2013 ML550 4Matic AMG, 173K kms, and in really good shape. Just noticed today however that I only have about 1/4 tank left of fuel, and I've only driven 300kms since taking it off the lot.
Worked out the math and this is giving me a fuel economy of about 25 - 26L/100km, which is almost 2x the posted 12.5L/100km.
Using the gauges, it looks like when I'm simply idling, the car is spewing out the max 20L/100km, and then the gauge decreases between 5-10 once you take off, it almost looks like the gauge is running backwards, shouldn't it be idling around 0-5L/100km and then go up once you accelerate?
Obviously its a huge engine and drinks fuel, but I didn't think it would be THIS high.
Pic is showing >25L/100km in 95% stopped traffic.
Just bought a 2013 ML550 4Matic AMG, 173K kms, and in really good shape. Just noticed today however that I only have about 1/4 tank left of fuel, and I've only driven 300kms since taking it off the lot.
Worked out the math and this is giving me a fuel economy of about 25 - 26L/100km, which is almost 2x the posted 12.5L/100km.
Using the gauges, it looks like when I'm simply idling, the car is spewing out the max 20L/100km, and then the gauge decreases between 5-10 once you take off, it almost looks like the gauge is running backwards, shouldn't it be idling around 0-5L/100km and then go up once you accelerate?
Obviously its a huge engine and drinks fuel, but I didn't think it would be THIS high.
Pic is showing >25L/100km in 95% stopped traffic.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 22
2010 g
Fill up the tank and reset the fuel calculations. It is calculating incorrectly probably because the battery was dead/disconnected before you bought it, and things were mis-calculated or reset.
No, the way it is calculating at idle is correct. You should be at the max (20l/100km) at idle. Think about it.. at idle how many km are you getting on 20L? Technically it is 0 km and not even 100. It is telling you that you are burning infinite liters to go 100km. Because you technically are.
When you start moving, you burn “less liters to get you 100km” as you are now going faster and actually reaching that 100km point.
Your truck will be bad on gas, but not as bad as you are seeing. If you still see 25l/100km then something is definitely wrong.
I’m sure once you fill up with a full tank and reset things, you’ll see that the next tank is more reasonable. Look at it over an entire tank of gas and see what you get.
No, the way it is calculating at idle is correct. You should be at the max (20l/100km) at idle. Think about it.. at idle how many km are you getting on 20L? Technically it is 0 km and not even 100. It is telling you that you are burning infinite liters to go 100km. Because you technically are.
When you start moving, you burn “less liters to get you 100km” as you are now going faster and actually reaching that 100km point.
Your truck will be bad on gas, but not as bad as you are seeing. If you still see 25l/100km then something is definitely wrong.
I’m sure once you fill up with a full tank and reset things, you’ll see that the next tank is more reasonable. Look at it over an entire tank of gas and see what you get.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2013 ML550 4Matic AMG, 2006 ML350
Fill up the tank and reset the fuel calculations. It is calculating incorrectly probably because the battery was dead/disconnected before you bought it, and things were mis-calculated or reset.
No, the way it is calculating at idle is correct. You should be at the max (20l/100km) at idle. Think about it.. at idle how many km are you getting on 20L? Technically it is 0 km and not even 100. It is telling you that you are burning infinite liters to go 100km. Because you technically are.
When you start moving, you burn “less liters to get you 100km” as you are now going faster and actually reaching that 100km point.
Your truck will be bad on gas, but not as bad as you are seeing. If you still see 25l/100km then something is definitely wrong.
I’m sure once you fill up with a full tank and reset things, you’ll see that the next tank is more reasonable. Look at it over an entire tank of gas and see what you get.
No, the way it is calculating at idle is correct. You should be at the max (20l/100km) at idle. Think about it.. at idle how many km are you getting on 20L? Technically it is 0 km and not even 100. It is telling you that you are burning infinite liters to go 100km. Because you technically are.
When you start moving, you burn “less liters to get you 100km” as you are now going faster and actually reaching that 100km point.
Your truck will be bad on gas, but not as bad as you are seeing. If you still see 25l/100km then something is definitely wrong.
I’m sure once you fill up with a full tank and reset things, you’ll see that the next tank is more reasonable. Look at it over an entire tank of gas and see what you get.
Gotcha thanks! When you say "reset the fuel calculations" do you mean just a trip reset? or full factory reset?
Makes sense with your explanation on the gauge - I switched it to MPG and it idles around 2mpg.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 22
2010 g
Just do a trip reset. There are two - one calculated since you started the car, and one since your last full reset.
Do both every time you fill up with fuel, that’s what I do and find it works really well. Then next time you fill up (just before you reset it…) you can see how many l/100km on the last tank.
Do both every time you fill up with fuel, that’s what I do and find it works really well. Then next time you fill up (just before you reset it…) you can see how many l/100km on the last tank.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 442
From: Melbourne, Australia
2010 ML550 VIN WDC1641722A564750, 2010 B180
If after doing what Uncleardanger has advised, scan it and check your short and long-term fuel trim readings. If its running too rich, they will tell you. Generally, in normal driving, anything over an 8% reading on fuel trim adjustment tells you something isn't right and that the ECU is overcompensating for something by adding more fuel. Google fuel trims. You will see plenty of videos on how to interpret the readings.
