Can I use 87 octane gas on ML350, 2015 Mercedes?
5 Answers
I have been useing it for the past 70000 on my R350 and it works fine for me. Click and Clack radio say the timing adjusts to whatever octane you use. I put in high octane for the first 80000 miles and it does not make a difference that I can see. Lately the check engin light comes on but I put in some Chevron Techron and the light goes out, my millaga goes up some. I use Mobil 1 and change oil about every 8000 miles and do not put the pedal to the metal but I cruse on freeways at 70 mph. The car still looks like new and I have no repairs for 150000 miles. Just regular maintance mostly by me. My average mpg for past 12000 miles, city and highway is 21.6 mpg if the speedometer readings are correct. I get up to 24 mpg on freeway crusing.
I have had several MB's over the years. The 350 engine runs just fine on 87 octane. I did not notice any substantial difference in power or mileage using 89 and 91 octane. I would suggest using Tier 1 gas whenever possible. The larger MB engines, however, are a little more picky. Specifically the SL550 (2007 vintage) and the new E550. ALL will run on 87 Octane. However, the best combination of power and mileage has been with 89 Octane. Using 91 or 93 octane did not get any better mileage or power - just wasted more money. Using the 87 Octane did give some loss of power and mileage. Modern engines are generally very good in adapting to whatever fuel you decide to use. Again, I would encourage using Tier 1 fuel whenever possible. The extra additives go a long way in protecting your engine and keeping the power up.
I've driven over 60,000 miles on my 350 ML on 87 octane gasoline without any performance difference. Average 22 MPH, 25 on the hwy with cruise. It is an excellent piece of German engineering that does not require costly premium fuel. Why pay more?
As I said in my previous post - the 350 runs just fine on 87 Octane. It is the larger engines that sometimes have noticeable difference when you drop down to 87. As a side note: my service advisor told me that MB had a TSB a while back. They were quietly detuning some of their engines so they would run on 87 gas. This was because so many customers were using 87 rather than spend the money for over priced Premium gas.
Do you think the gas won't burn as much if premium is used in a ML350? I have a 2012 and it burns so fast when using 87 or 89.