Nido-Russo said she had been filling the car with “the middle” pump figure for a while.
But, when her cousin popped out of the SUV to help at the pump, they discovered the car had stringent octane requirements.
The Mercedes-Benz G550 demands premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher to keep its V8 engine happy.
The middle pump was only rated at 89 octane.
Using 89 octane in the Mercedes-Benz G550 likely won’t cause immediate disaster, but it could lead to eventual engine knocking.
The G550’s motor quickly compresses gasoline faster than other vehicles.
Higher octane fuels are better equipped to handle the quick compression and will ensure the car will run longer.
Over time, knocking from the incorrect fuel injection can degrade engine performance and efficiency, leading to potential long-term damage.
Drivers might also notice reduced power and fuel economy as the engine adjusts to compensate for the subpar fuel.
Mechanics have told The U.S. Sun that it is important to read a car’s manual before going to the gas pump.
“Most people never looked at their owner’s manual,” Chaya Milchtein, a mechanic with a decade of experience and a book about car ownership, said in an interview.
“There’s just an incredible amount of information in there.”
Higher octane gases are best used in high-compression motors.
Drivers with standard engines that require standard 87 ratings are advised to save money and use lower-rated fuel.
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