What type of fuel should be used for the Mercedes-Benz E300?

[Jasmine]

The Mercedes-Benz E300 should use 95-octane gasoline, as officially announced by the manufacturer. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the vehicle's user manual, you can also find it on the fuel tank cap, which will be clearly marked. Typically, the fuel grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92-octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95-octane gasoline. If the compression ratio is higher, 98-octane gasoline is recommended. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the appropriate gasoline grade. High compression ratio engines can also be tuned to use lower-octane gasoline because, besides the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Higher gasoline grades have higher octane ratings and better anti-knock properties. 92-octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95-octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the Mercedes-Benz E300 occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after the current tank is used up. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles designed for lower-octane gasoline, using a higher-octane grade will not cause damage, but the increased octane rating can alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This results in reduced engine power and thermal efficiency, with the practical effect being poorer performance. For vehicles designed for higher-octane gasoline, using a lower-octane grade can cause engine knocking. Because the octane rating is too low, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing it to ignite prematurely during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires during the compression stroke, resistance will develop during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is mild, it may only increase noise without significant engine damage. However, noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.