I was just wondering if it really matters whether or not we use premium gas in our cars. I know the owners manual says we have to, otherwise it can cause engine problems in the future. Does anyone really know?
ive been using 89 ever since i got this car. so far so good for me. it's been like 2 years now.
my cousin used the car for a week when he stayed with me and he put 87. and still no difference. if u can pay 91 rite now tho, i suggest it. rite now im sticking 89.
You'll hear from people who insist because its an MB it deserves / needs premium or will accuse you of being cheap, only costs a few $'s more per tank so no big deal etc etc.
For what it's worth when I had my ML over a period of 90,000 miles and 8 years I ran it on 87, 89 and 91 octane for extended period and never noticed any change in MPG or performance and had zero engine problems (shame about the rest of the truck though).
Clearly switching from 91 to 89 would cause the anti-knock control to retard the timing and reduce power a little bit, but with a 5000lb SUV can't say I noticed or ever heard any 'pinking' when running 87.
Bottom line - imho not a big deal either way.
__________________
Tim (Formerly a senior race engineer / designer at Cosworth Racing UK for Formula 1 and CART engines)
'00 ML430
Replaced with Lexus RX400h 4x4 (0 to 60MPH in 6.5 seconds and 30MPG city)
My other 4x4 '03 Colbalt Blue Porsche Stage III 996 Twin Turbo (60 to 130MPH in 8.7 seconds and 12 MPG)
2005 Mini Cooper S, a pocket rocket
2002 VW Beetle, daily hack
Past cars of note:
'02 Porsche 996
'99 Porsche Boxster
Use diesel and call it a day. Diesel gets better mpg. Definitely the best choice. Doesn't matter what MB or what your manual says. Diesel all the way. I have been using it in my ML since 97 and I get close to 60 city. Highway.. forget about it.
This topic comes up all the time!!!! If you do a search you will find numerous threads about it. Use premium, read your owners manual. Using regular can cause damage to your catalytic converter.
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Mike
1990 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL
2001 Mercedes Benz ML320
1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230
1986 Porsche 911 Carrera
Vehicle: 2002 ML 500, 1994 Ford Explorer donated to Doctors without Borders
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 2,030
I'm not surprised that this topic has returned. Yesterday's paper had an article about owners desperately trying to get rid of their "guzzlers". Can you imagine your life if you had been "cool" enough to buy a Hummer H2 instead of your ML? I wonder how much they spend on gas each month.
The ML is hardly a guzzler compared to other SUV's.
If you can't afford to fuel up with 91 minimum, sell the vehicle to someone who can. There is a 10 to 12¢ per gallon difference between 87 and 91. I grow tired of saying the same things over and over again. Use premium.
__________________ Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.- Mark Twain
Vehicle: 2002 ML 500, 1994 Ford Explorer donated to Doctors without Borders
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 2,030
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmitch
There is a 10 to 12¢ per gallon difference between 87 and 91... Use premium.
I agree. I could save a whole $2 each time I fill up if I used regular.
The ML is definitely a guzzler though, but you're right... There are much worse out there. One of my coworkers says he gets ~7-8 mpg in his explorer. Why in the world would/// well.. you know...
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