SL/R231: Ethanol Free Fuel
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 70
Likes: 14
SL550
Ethanol Free Fuel
Hello all,
I noticed in the area I moved to recently, the ethanol free fuel options top at out at a 90 octane rating. Do you believe it's worth the effort to get the 90 octane ethanol free fuel and add in octane booster each fill-up or just keep getting the readily available Shell V-Power 93 octane stuff?
Thanks for any thoughts on the subject and have good rest of the weekend!
I noticed in the area I moved to recently, the ethanol free fuel options top at out at a 90 octane rating. Do you believe it's worth the effort to get the 90 octane ethanol free fuel and add in octane booster each fill-up or just keep getting the readily available Shell V-Power 93 octane stuff?
Thanks for any thoughts on the subject and have good rest of the weekend!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 660
Likes: 300
From: Franklin, TN
2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
Here is a link to a thread that discusses fuels: https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...edes-benz.html
There was also an article in the Star magazine a few issues ago which discussed fuels. The Cliff's Notes version of the article is that you should not only pay attention to the octane rating, but also to the additive packages employed by various suppliers. In the article they referenced Top Tier Fuel suppliers and the benefits of using same. I will see if I can locate the article, others may have quicker access.
There was also an article in the Star magazine a few issues ago which discussed fuels. The Cliff's Notes version of the article is that you should not only pay attention to the octane rating, but also to the additive packages employed by various suppliers. In the article they referenced Top Tier Fuel suppliers and the benefits of using same. I will see if I can locate the article, others may have quicker access.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 70
Likes: 14
SL550
Here is a link to a thread that discusses fuels: https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...edes-benz.html
There was also an article in the Star magazine a few issues ago which discussed fuels. The Cliff's Notes version of the article is that you should not only pay attention to the octane rating, but also to the additive packages employed by various suppliers. In the article they referenced Top Tier Fuel suppliers and the benefits of using same. I will see if I can locate the article, others may have quicker access.
There was also an article in the Star magazine a few issues ago which discussed fuels. The Cliff's Notes version of the article is that you should not only pay attention to the octane rating, but also to the additive packages employed by various suppliers. In the article they referenced Top Tier Fuel suppliers and the benefits of using same. I will see if I can locate the article, others may have quicker access.
Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 68
R231 SL63 & R129 SL500
Unsure where the concern comes from? All cars sold in the US have been able to use E10 gasoline (i.e. up to 10% Ethanol) for decades now. I had the owner's manual for my 1998 R129 SL handy as I was posting this, and sure enough, E10 is stated to be fine. For sure the R231s are similarly capable.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 70
Likes: 14
SL550
Unsure where the concern comes from? All cars sold in the US have been able to use E10 gasoline (i.e. up to 10% Ethanol) for decades now. I had the owner's manual for my 1998 R129 SL handy as I was posting this, and sure enough, E10 is stated to be fine. For sure the R231s are similarly capable.
Just reading on the good old internet and you see people saying the alcohol will ruin the seals etc in your engine. I have no idea if there is any truth to that or not hence asking here. It's a nice car IMO, so if there is something simple (different fuel) I can do to keep it running better longer, I'll do it
Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 123
Likes: 61
From: Nashville, TN
2019 SL450
My 1971 Datsun 240Z with 282,000 miles has suffered no ill effects from ethanol fuels since I got it in 1987. I really can't recall anyone in any of my car clubs (AACA, Corvette, Z-car) ever discussing a fuel issue from ethanol, nor the guy who works on my Zs who has been doing that since 1974.
