[Jwgraves]

I am a recent proud owner of a 2002 C240. I have to say that I love it. There is nothing like driving a Mercedes Benz. However, I do have 1 complaint(just 1). My car burns gas like you would not believe. I read through the manual and it says ONLY use 93 Octane Gas(the good stuff). No problem, but when I use the high stuff, I find myself filling up 3 days later. Would it really hurt my car if I used the "middle" grade gas? Where I live the average price for 93 is $2.28/gal. The middle grade is averaging $2.09/gal.
Will the middle grade hurt my car? Is it some Mercedes Benz law that states that you can only use high octane gas in your car?

SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT.

Signed,
I'm off to the gas station again

 

[KompressorJon]

Eventually you will have a pick up sensor problem if you run lower grades but for the most part you will be ok but I'm still going to recomend sticking to 93+

 

[jpb5151]

From what I've read: The car's computer will adjust the timing to handle the lower octane. This should avoid engine damage from knocking, but power output will be lower too. You'll wind up burning a little more gas when getting up to highway speeds or climbing those fun Pennsylvania hills. IOTW, you won't be any further ahead with the lower octane.

 

[brem01]

Damn man you shouldn't be complaining about the gas price. Here in Cali, 93 octane is $2.69 right now. That's forty cent more than what you are paying.

 

[CryanC]

its already 2.89 here!.. crazy shit

 

[C38BENZ]

it really does suck...

SoCal has the most expensive gas in the country[!]

not fair!

 

[KompressorJon]

Maine is about $2.42 and on it's way up.[xx(]

 

[The Assassin]

[!]I have to agree,your fuel prices are bad, but ours are way worse, yesterday, I paid 100.9/litre for premium gas in Toronto Canada. It is obscene, you've got to wonder how they'll scam us when we're all driving electric or fuel cell cars in 15 years!

 

[alanchan]

I agreed, Gas price sucks.
I am in Western Canada and paying 104 per liter
for only Oct#91

Why it is in the US you have to use Oct#93

I thought the standard is #91 world wide for MB cars.

 

[tresean1]

i believe 91 and 93 are equivalent, depending on what state/country you live in; because 89 is next, followed by 87

so its all a matter of which octane the gas station decides to use----91 is the entry level premium, and 93 is the "best"