So, you have just bought a new Mercedes car. You might be asked to use premium gas in your vehicle. Now, you are confused, “why does Mercedes need premium gas?” like other owners. I am here to let you understand the importance of premium gas for Mercedes or any high-performance car.
Gasoline is compressed in the engine’s combustion chamber. It can ignite before the spark plug fires, which causes knocking or pinging. Eventually, it damages the engine over time and reduces its performance. When you use premium gas, the chance of engine damage is reduced. Also, the machine can run more smoothly and efficiently.
In this article, I will discuss further reasons to pick premium gas for Mercedes. You will learn about the benefits and the role of premium gas that affect the engine performance. Additionally, you will figure out the recommended octane level for your Mercedes.
The Importance of Fuel Quality for Mercedes-Benz
The fuel provides the energy required for the engine to operate. So, fuel quality plays a critical role in the performance and longevity of a Mercedes-Benz engine. It directly impacts the performance of the engine.
For instance, it affects the combustion process of the engine. When the fuel burns, it creates an explosion that pushes the pistons. This push creates the power to drive the vehicle. Hence, the fuel quality can affect the speed and efficiency of this combustion process. It impacts the overall performance of the engine.
Besides, it can also impact the engine components.
Low-quality fuel can contain contaminants, like dirt or water. These contaminants can damage or clog the fuel injectors or fuel lines. For this, the reduced fuel flow causes the engine to run poorly or even stall.
Now, think of high-performance vehicles like Mercedes-Benz. In these cars, the importance of even more crucial. If you use low-quality fuel, it will damage engine components. Also, it may reduce the engine life and increasingly frequent repairs.
Low-quality fuel can release more carbon dioxide. So, it will pollute the air more. Sometimes, you will get poor engine performance and reduced fuel economy.
Still, if you use low-quality gas in Mercedes, it may void the warranty. Typically, the warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship. But it doesn’t cover any damage due to improper or low-quality fuel use.
Overall, you should pick high quality (premium) gas for your Mercedes-Benz vehicles for optimal engine performance and warranty coverage.
What is Premium Gas?
Premium gas or high-octane gas has a higher-octane rating than regular gas. By octane rating, we can measure a fuel’s ability to resist any engine pre-ignition. It remains within the 87-93 range.
According to J. D. Power, the lowest grade (rating) defines as regular, and the highest one is premium gas. Between these grades, all other gases are considered mid-grade fuel.
Regular gas or regular unleaded gas (RUG) is used almost everywhere in the world. Usually, it comes as a byproduct of high-flammable crude oil. It has an octane rating of 87. But in premium gas, this rating is 90 or above. It is also a byproduct but with some detergent additives and safer characteristics.
Look at the table for a better understanding:
| Feature | Regular Gas | Premium Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Octane Rating | 87 | 90+ |
| Price per Gal. | Lower | Higher |
| Engine Performance | Reduces due to knocking or pinging in high-performance engines | Improves engine performance by lessening unwanted engine knocking |
| Fuel Economy | Lower | Better |
| Recommended for | Most vehicles | High-performance and luxury vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz and other high-end brands |
Common Benefits of Using Premium Gas in Mercedes
Premium gas offers several benefits for Mercedes compared to regular gas. They can be:
Improved Engine Performance
Do you have a Mercedes car with a turbocharger or high-compression engine? Putting the premium gas in the engine can hit the horsepower smoothly and enhance overall performance. Likewise, it reduces the engine knock on vehicles like yours and makes it adequately responsive.
Better Fuel Economy
Premium gas can also provide better fuel economy for Mercedes. It helps the engine to run more efficiently. So, you will need less fuel to produce the same power. As a result, you can get more miles per gallon of gas and save more money for a long time.
Reduced Emissions
According to MIT, using premium in U.S. light-duty vehicles can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35m/yr. It may save $6B in fuel costs. When you use higher-octane gasoline, it burns cleaner than regular gas. So it produces fewer harmful pollutants that can harm the environment.
Longer Engine Life
Many would say there is no connection between prolonging the engine life and using premium gas. Still, it can extend the life of your engine by reducing the likelihood of knocking or pinging. It reduces the damage to the engine over time. So, the engine gets a better and longer life with less maintenance.
Recommended for High-Performance Vehicles
Experts and experienced vehicle owners recommend premium gas for high-performance and luxury vehicles. It can be your car from Mercedes-Benz and other high-end brands. Once you start using this gasoline, your vehicle will operate at its best. Thus, you get the desired performance and driving experience from a luxury car.
You should note that not all vehicles require premium gas. In some cases (like mid or regular-performing vehicles), using premium gas would be a failure to get any extra benefits. Instead, you will waste your money. You should check the owner’s manual or consult with an expert to know the suggested octane level for your vehicle.
Why Does Mercedes Need Premium Gas?
Mercedes cars have heavy-duty engines with high compression ratios. It refers to the volume ratio in the engine cylinder at two positions (top and bottom) of the piston.
A higher compression ratio means the engine requires more compression for the fuel to ignite. It means that you will need to use higher octane gas. Using it, you can prevent knocking or pinging inside the engine when the fuel ignites prematurely.
The average compression ratio of Mercedes engines is 10.0:1. It is higher than other car brands. So, you need to use premium gas or fuel. An example is if you have a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, it may require premium gas with an octane rating of 91 or higher. But you can drive a Toyota Corolla with regular gas has an octane rating of 87.
If you think of using lower-octane fuel, you may save some cash on gasoline. Alternatively, your Mercedes will become less powerful and fuel efficient. Incredibly, this difference is especially notable in vehicles with turbocharged engines.
In research by AAA, premium vehicles like Ford F-150, Mazda MX-5 Miata, etc., got increased performance and fuel economy after applying higher octane gas.
Let me share more things about premium gas for Mercedes:
Any gasoline you use for any vehicle contains EPA-mandated additives and added detergents. Regular and premium gas have the same additives. But the difference between these two types of gasoline lies in their formula.
J.D. Power gives an example: Shell’s V-Power NiTRO+ protects four levels against tear and wear. ExxonMobil’s Synergy Supreme+ has high levels of detergents for cleaner fuel injection and better fuel economy.
All these gasolines are made for specific types of vehicles. If your Mercedes requires premium gas, you should use it for better protection, cleaner fuel injection, and efficient fuel economy.
How to Determine the Recommended Premium Gas for Mercedes
You may try any of these methods to determine the recommended octane level for your Mercedes:
Consultation of Owner’s Manual
Of course, you get the owner’s manual with your Mercedes. It gives information on the recommended octane level for the specific model. Besides, it is the most reliable and accurate source of information.
Use of Fuel Finder Tools
Many gas stations and companies offer fuel finder tools on their websites or mobile apps. These applications help search for the recommended octane level for your vehicle. For instance, all you need to do is enter the make and model of your Mercedes. Then, the tool will provide you with what you want.
Recommendations from Mercedes Dealerships and Mechanics
Mercedes dealerships and mechanics are trained to work on Mercedes vehicles. So, they can provide expert advice on the advised octane level for your car. They can also answer any questions regarding fuel quality and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question-1: Why does my Mercedes-Benz require premium gas?
Answer: Mercedes engines are designed to run at a higher compression ratio than many other cars. Premium gas has a higher-octane rating to prevent engine knocking or pinging. Also, it can operate the Mercedes engine at its best.
Question-2: Will using premium gas make my Mercedes faster?
Answer: Using premium gas will not necessarily make your Mercedes faster. But it can help to improve engine performance and prevent damage to the engine.
Question-3: Are there any alternatives to premium gas for Mercedes-Benz?
Answer: To be precise, there are no natural alternatives to premium gas for Mercedes engines. These engines can run better on high-octane gasoline. However, using a fuel additive may help improve lower-octane gasoline quality. It may provide some benefits to engine performance.
Question-4: Can I mix regular and premium gas?
Answer: Many experts do not recommend mixing regular and premium gas. It can change the octane level to lower than recommended for the engine. Also, it can cause engine knocking and potential damage to it.
Question-5: Is it safe to use ethanol blends in my Mercedes?
Answer: It is generally safe to use ethanol blends in Mercedes engines. The ethanol content should remain within the recommended range for the specific model.
Final Words
I hope you are not worrying anymore about “why does Mercedes need premium gas?”
In a few words, using premium gas is crucial for the optimal performance of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The high compression ratio of Mercedes engines requires fuel with a higher-octane rating. It prevents engine knocking or pinging and increases performance.
As most Mercedes require, you must ensure the selected gas has a 90+ (91-93 better) octane rating. And I have already talked about the benefits of using premium gas.
Again, I wish you will find the right gas for your Mercedes. Thanks for reading the post.
