Of course, Mercedes can technically use regular gas. However, unlike premium gas, using regular gas over a long period can have a negative impact on your car. It may cause the check engine light to come on, the engine may knock, and the lifespan of your Benz will be reduced.
Mercedes recommends its customers use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91. This is because Mercedes-Benz vehicles are fitted with high compression engines that create higher pre-combustion temperatures and are fixed with several electronic controls and sensors.
Better performance
Premium gas comes with higher octane levels, enabling the engine to perform outstandingly without knocking. One of the reasons that cause engines to knock is a delay in combustion when vaporized gas is compressed by pistons.
This usually does not happen with high-performance engines, as timely synchronization of the firing sequence is precise. As a result, drivers can enjoy a quick and smooth acceleration in their luxurious Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Nonetheless, if premium fuel is used in cars that require regular gas, it does not offer any benefits.
Cheaper repairs & maintenance
Another reason why it’s crucial to use premium gas instead of regular gas in Mercedes cars is the cost of maintenance and repair. Since Mercedes vehicles are fitted with specialized engines, they need premium fuel for smooth operation.
If you use regular gas, you will probably end up undergoing costly repairs and maintenance since regular gas isn’t as good on the engine as premium gas. Specialized engines in Mercedes need more maintenance and upkeep to keep running well. If you use regular gas, you will have more issues to deal with.
Excellent fuel economy
Apart from delivering exceptional performance and making maintenance cheaper, using premium fuel is more economical than regular fuel. Premium gas may be more expensive, but you will use less gas than regular fuel. In the end, you will probably end up saving more cash and visiting the gas station fewer times.
What are the disadvantages of putting regular gasoline in your Mercedes?
Engine knocking
If you accidentally put regular fuel in your Mercedes car, you shouldn’t panic. However, repeating the same thing or switching to regular fuel in general may land you in trouble. One of the main issues that you may face is engine knocking. When regular gas pre-ignites, it can lead to engine knocking or pre-detonation.
Engine knocking is not good for your car as it will shorten your car’s lifespan. Additionally, engine knocking can lead to erosion of the combustion chamber surface, overheating of the spark-plug points, and rough and inefficient operation. All of these symptoms are not good for your Mercedes-Benz.
Triggers check engine light
One of the biggest challenges of using regular gas on an engine that’s built for premium gas is the turning on of the check engine light. If you frequently use regular gas in your Mercedes-Benz, you may begin to notice that it triggers the check engine light, even if your car doesn’t have any problems.
What type of gas is recommended for Mercedes-Benz vehicles?
Mercedes-Benz recommends buyers use premium unleaded gasoline with a 91-octane rating or higher. Regardless, buyers can still use lower graded gas with an octane rating of 87 or 89. However, these should be used for emergencies and not on a daily basis.
FAQ about gassing up your Mercedes
Will regular gas damage my Mercedes-Benz?
Yes, it will. Putting regular gas in your Mercedes-Benz will reduce fuel efficiency. It may also cause the engine to knock because of pre-igniting the fuel. Additionally, you may have trouble turning off the check engine light since low octane gas will cause it to turn on frequently.
Occasionally using regular gas in your Benz that requires premium high-octane gasoline is not too problematic. It’s okay if you use regular gas once in a while, but you should not switch to regular gas completely. If your vehicle manufacturer recommends that you use premium gas, stick to premium gas. However, you can use regular gas once in a while.
If you decide to switch to regular gas, you may not see the changes in fuel efficiency right away, but if you continue using regular gas instead of premium, you may notice poor fuel efficiency. You will also shorten the lifespan of your car.
What does octane rating mean?
The octane rating dictates how quickly fuel will ignite when it lands in your vehicle’s engine. It’s essential to note that lower octane gasoline ignites and burns faster than higher octane gas. So, if the octane rating is high, the greater the resistance that gas has to pre-ignition.
Is it okay if I put 87 octane gas in my Mercedes?
Yes, it’s okay, but not for the long-term. This is because 87 octane gas is of a lower rating than the recommended 91 octane premium gas. Since this gas has a lower rating, it will not maintain the Mercedes’ excellent performance level.
The good news is that you can use this gas temporarily and it will not harm your engine. Putting the lower 87 octane gas will save you some cash, but can cause long term problems. The advanced MB computer system will also be able to detect if the fuel is of a lower grade if you didn’t realize it. Also, you should never mix fuel grades in your Benz tank.
No, it’s not. If you’re driving a regular car with a standard engine, such as Honda, Nissan, Toyota, or Mazda, you don’t need to put premium gas in your car. This is because these engines are designed for regular gas and putting premium gas in them, won’t change how their engines perform. On the contrary, you will end up spending more for nothing.
It is okay for a Mercedes to use regular gas, but not for an extended period. Mercedes-Benz recommends its customers use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher. Failure to use premium gasoline will lead to problems such as poor fuel efficiency, the check engine light turning on, and engine knocking.
If you accidentally put regular gasoline with an 87 or 89 octane rating, there’s nothing to worry about. However, you shouldn’t make this a habit if you want your car’s engine to last long and perform at the highest level possible.
