Rubbing alcohol is 90% water. I doubt that is a good reliable solution. Surprised he got away with it.

Use HEET or a similar ethanol product to remove water in the gas tank..

Roadster with a stick

 

+fireamx, that article is dated last modified 1996? It references testing of cars like a 1978? Surely these statements can be taken with the premis the information is correct but is it prudent for the MB112? Also, the engine was designed for and originally used in the european fuel markets so I would think the octane ratings are skewered there some given the differences in fuel design and regulation?

I have been using the premium octane here, it is set up locally 87, 89, and 93. Since I hear from some they use the regular I might try the mid grade here and see how the motor reacts. Every once in a while, I will hook up the OBDII tool to see if any problems come up (as well as listen for any noise in the motor).

 

That's funny....I was wondering the same thing...anyone know

 

I'm pretty sure Dry Gas usually contains ethanol. Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol. If you use gaasoline that has ethanol added (usually says it on the pump) then you really should never need dry gas.

 

yeah, it's interesting about the cold weather resulting in less MPG's. I've had 2 FI motorcycles and they've both experienced at least a 20% drop when it gets colder. My friends have had the same situation on theirs too, and my wife's 2002 Tribute as well as my now expired Ford Explorer did too. Anybody in the north also see this. It may be of course more ethenol in the fuel mandated by Minnesota law for colder temps. I don't know. But as I mentioned before, I've had no issues with 87, I usually will run 89 if I go to my normal station but just for s's and g's I'll run some 91 and report back. I'd have to drive all over just to find 93 so that ain't gonna happen. But we'll see what 91 does.

 

Interesting, after reading the article I came away thinking it "promoted" the use of high octane fuel in high compression engines. Even if they had engine management systems.
My Dad was in the car business for over 28 years. One thing I noticed as I got older, was that my Dad's "demo's" always seemed to run just a little bit better than everybody elses.
Sometime around my mid teens, I asked him why his car always ran so good, and got such great mileage?
His "trick" was to bump the timing up as far as it would go until it started to ping, then he'd back it off just a tad. He never used a timing light, just did it by ear. I don't even remember what grade of gas he used, but knowing my Dad, it was high test.
I always figured his method meant if you keep the timing advanced as high as the fuel would allow, you reaped the benefits of better fuel mileage, and top acceleration. Since higher octane allows even higher timing advances it's a win-win combination.
I never run anything but premium fuel in my car. because it's got over 10 to 1 compression ratio. The way I see it, it's a no brainer. But since it has its own engine management system, the higher the octane gas I put in it, the more the computer advances the timing, and the better my Crossfire performs.

 

I have an 01 E320 and an 05 Crossfire Limited and they both run different with 89. I lose about 2-3mpg and noticeable power on the top end. My mothers CLK320 even triggers a CEL on 87 and it has happened more than once. 91 or better is they key with this motor and my MB tech tells this to everyone. I avg. about 2K miles a month and the MPG difference is enough reason to pay an extra 10 cents