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Sedans Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz C-300 2008
266 messages, Last post on Aug 18, 2009 at 8:25 AM
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Mercedes requires you to use premium in their gasoline cars. They will run on regular because the computer dials back the timing, and the result is slightly less power, slightly MORE fuel used, and the risk of more carbon buildup from inferior detergent content. If you really think this is worth 20-25 cents a gallon, do it. I'm left to wonder, however, why you aren't just driving a car that uses regular and costs less to buy and own in the first place. At the pump prices in our area, the difference between regular and premium is about 5%; since your fuel mileage will be reduced by about 2-3%, you're left with 2-3% savings....utterly pointless.
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Replying to: jrct9454 (Jun 17, 2008 5:36 am) I lease my cars...and I am not worried about carbon buildup in that short time. I have never actually found a difference in gas mileage between using regular and premium fuel...and I have run four tankfuls of both to compare the results. Since I have never floored the gas on any car, if there is a slight decrease to the pep, I don't see it. If I owned the car or noticed a difference (knock/ping) I would burn premium....or at least I would burn premium every few tankfuls...I'd probably burn the medium grade fuel normally.
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Replying to: ghstudio (Jun 17, 2008 5:53 am)
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Replying to: be325 (Jun 17, 2008 7:59 am)
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Replying to: jrct9454 (Jun 17, 2008 12:40 pm) If you are buying a used car, you have absolutely no idea who drove it. It could have been me...or it could have been that guy who took the brand new car and floored it at every light and screeched to a halt at the next light completely ignoring all break in recommendations. How about those used cars from the car rental places where they don't do any real maintenance, they are driven thru pothole after pothole, and have never ever seen premium gas. Believe me...you really do want my car. I break it in correctly, I put on gentle wear and yes, I burned regular gas...but if you want to run premium, the computer will adjust almost immediately. |
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Sorry, didn't know how to paste the link. It states, among other things, that most experts agree that regular or mid-grade is OK in luxury cars. .......The number of new vehicle models that either require higher octane fuel or run better on it has risen steadily to 282 this year, from 166 in the 2002 model year, said Robyn Echard, a spokeswoman for Kelley Blue Book, an auto pricing guide........from the article. One wonders why? Very interesting how passionately others feel about the issue of Regular vs. Premium. Please keep sharing and explaining why regular is OK. |
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The point is, the manufacturer says that premium fuel is required - not optional. OK? Most Toyotas [ and Lexus ] that make more power with premium come with the statement from Toyota that LOWER OCTANE IS OK, as long as you don't care about the extra hp. BMW and Mercedes and Honda [ some Acuras ] are crystal clear about what they have designed the engine to use - for them, premium fuel is not about power or economy, but the long-term health of the engine. I've owned 50+ cars since 1962, and always follow the car maker's requirements for fuel. Most have used regular happily, but I have never compromised when the owner's manual is explicit and uncompromising. As always, do what you feel is best - but this is not a case of some "conspiracy" to make you spend more money than you should. From my perspective, if this is a deal breaker, focus on a make that is designed to use regular - there are certainly plenty of them out there.
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Replying to: jrct9454 (Jun 18, 2008 1:50 pm) Absolutely true, but you're overlooking something that's very, very (very) important in this segment (and many others): People can see if you're driving a, let's say, "less expensive" car. They can't tell if you're cutting corners in order to afford the fuel for it. Appearances are what count. Otherwise the car leasing business would be a fraction of the size it is -- only makes financial sense if you can write it off for business. There used to be a town in the White Mountains of Arizona called McNary. It was a lumber mill town built by Southwest Forest Industries, and there were more Cadillacs in front of shacks in that little settlement than I'd ever seen before or ever have since, not that I've looked too hard lately. I don't need to -- I spend time on these boards. Some things never change. |
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Appearances are what count? If you say so..... |
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