AND I have another idea. Premium is 93 Octane, Mid-Grade is 89, Regular is 87 (at least where I am). Recommended fuel is 91. So one could easily alternate Mid- & Prem fuels, so long as the petrol tank is roughly half-full when filling. With no penalty in practice or in theory.
Aye, you could do that, it is 93 octante here too, however I think that would be too much of a hassle to try and and not olny figure the correct ratio but then buy the exact amounts of the gas you need.
wouldn't you rather pay that extra 3 or 4 dollars on fill up so you follow MBs recommendations? cuse what if in the long run it does some damage to the motor or the sensor goes bad from having to work so hard you wont be happy when you get a bill for a few thousand dollars cuse MB might void your warranty for not using what is suggested. so now that 3 or 4 dollars doesn't look to bad does it?
I was always told that if you want to use lower octane mix it with higher also never use just lower octane always mix. And i was told that if your car isnt running the right octane levels it wears away some coating on the inside of your engine due to increased stress from premature ignition.(I dont know if thats true thats what i was told)
I have a friend who works for a refining company. There is no difference between any of the gas. Whether is Exxon, Shell, etc. They pull from the same tank. It just depends on the octane - each tank has a different octane level. What makes each gas company (Exxon/Shell, Chevro etc) different is the additive they add.
He said just watch out for the small guys shops, their tanks may be dirty and could contain some water and dirt. Also, never pump gas at a station if you see a truck filling up the storage tanks. When they fill-up the under-ground storage tanks it kicks up all the sediments.
About octane levels - newer cars are more sophiticated. if you put a lower octane fuel - it adjusts the engine accordingly - so you won't harm your engine in anyway.
I have a friend who works for a refining company. There is no difference between any of the gas. Whether is Exxon, Shell, etc. They pull from the same tank. It just depends on the octane - each tank has a different octane level. What makes each gas company (Exxon/Shell, Chevro etc) different is the additive they add.
He said just watch out for the small guys shops, their tanks may be dirty and could contain some water and dirt. Also, never pump gas at a station if you see a truck filling up the storage tanks. When they fill-up the under-ground storage tanks it kicks up all the sediments.
About octane levels - newer cars are more sophiticated. if you put a lower octane fuel - it adjusts the engine accordingly - so you won't harm your engine in anyway.
I agree 100%. I used 92 in all my other cars, and really saw no difference. I usually keep cars for 3 years when I buy them, so in turn I am saving the car (motor) for someone else. I have used both in my E350 and I hear nor do I feel any difference. It is not about the money, its about making the rich cats more rich. Money looks better in my bank acct. then some oil pig.
I'll be one of those bold enough to admit that I use Regular fuel in both my E and S 500's. I use the fuel not because I am "cheap", I use it because I know what my engine really needs based on my driving habits. Let me tell you folks a bit of information that isn't commonly known. I'll back my information up with my background, I routinely work (rebuild from ground up) high performance engines, mostly those in aircraft. My company has been doing this for 10 years and subcontracts for primarily the racing sector.
The non supercharged engines in M/B, at average operating RPM's don't develop the combustion chamber pressures that require higher octane fuel. IF you are the type to apply full power at almost every start, or run your engine in the 5000+ rpm range for continued periods .. then you are the types that need the 91Octane or higher. Keep in mind that you'll wear down or break other internal assemblies long before you pit your pistons from engine knock.
Supercharged engines do develop higher internal pressures so the above does not apply. If your M/B wears the AMG badge .. buy the higher octane fuel along with the $400.00 tres, $3500.00 insurance, ect.
Bottom line is this, I have seen what prolonged engine "pinging" does ... and know the cause. I doubt few of you run your cars at 100% power, run down the freeway in 3rd gear or try to defeat the traction control at every stop. For those of you that do .. pay the extra for premium, but also start a side fund for repairs for wear parts (crankshaft bearings, camshaft bearings, transmission bearings, ect) that are assured to fail.
Fuel companies will continue to sell higher octane fuel, because it sells. Not their fault, the public simply needs to be fairly educated. Mercedes stpulates premium fuel so that their STATED horsepower/torque ratings are valid and can be sustained without severe engine damage. I have yet to use the 300+ HP in either of my M/B's, and usually cruise along using about 20%of whats avalable.
I do use 110 octane in my turbocharged Beech, no skimping there. The engine puts out its rated horsepower (310) and is required to do so every time I roll down the runway.
Vehicle: 2003 E320 - wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my car!!
Location: Boston, MA USA
Posts: 497
RE: Premium vs Regular Gas
Quote:
lear31a driver - 2/23/2006 12:03 PM
I'll be one of those bold enough to admit that I use Regular fuel in both my E and S 500's. I use the fuel not because I am "cheap", I use it because I know what my engine really needs based on my driving habits....
Lear31a,
I totally agree with you and the only reason I keep putting in premium is just in case I need to put the "pedal to the metal" to get out of a bad situation -- I don't want the engine to start coughing. I've had to do this a couple of times already and I just drive normal highway speeds (10-15 mph above speed limit in Mass!)
Just wondering 10cents more per gallon more for premium from 89 Octane. About 20 galllaons per fill up. That about $2 more per fill-up. About 3 fillups per month thats about $72 more per year.
This "investment" does it deserve the best, or is there such a thing as best thing to do in terms of gasoline.
Lear31a, - so regular gas meaning 87 Octane or 89 octane. Would you put any of those cleaners from Valoline etc that clean all your intakes, manifolds etc. How would you keep the internals clean.
Yeap there is no differance except price on quality of gas we use. It has been a myth that the gas companies don't want use to know. I talked to many chief mechanics, and seen a expose on 20/20 where they did many interviews with experts and no one can tell the differance. So what I say is go ahead put low grade in you MB save your money and stop feeding the fat cat gas companies.
When you find a "chief mechanic" with a degree in chemistry or petroleum engineering or mechanical engineering, let us know.
Until then, you'd be well advised to ignore their advice regarding fuel.
__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '06 E320CDI
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