improving mpg on 99 e300td
 

I have a 99 e300td. It is a smooth piece of machinery. I am getting 26-30 mpg overall. Others with the same car SAY they get 30-38mpg. I would love to reach these numbers if they are for real. Question--Can the timing of the IP be remapped through the computer program that my technician uses? He can get into all mercedes and change a lot of things. I am asking if it is possible to advance my timing and get better mileage out of my low mileage 210 diesel? Ernie in Louisville

ps my tech says that my cars computer would alert him to any unburned fuel problem or any lack of optimum timing, etc.

How much city driving is that?

The injection timing is set mechanically. If you have high mileage, the timing chain may be stretched a bit, retarding the timing.

Me too.

Your "low mileage 210 diesel" is delivering right-on-target mpg.

The wild claims on 210s are anything consistently over 32 mpg..

You're liable to read anything on a car forum. The other day some guy claimed "snow tires detracted 50 miles per tankful" - LOL, another wild claim.

My car gets 26 - 30 MPG consistently. I touched 31 one time by being very gentle with it.

I often laugh at mpg figures !! Especially from CL & Ebay.

After all we all know our cars run on the smell of an oily rag!!

Maybe some are quoting figures for imperial gallons instead of US gallons !! I guess sellers use imperial gallons, buyers use US gallons.

Over here we use liters and Km. I just convert back to the units I grew up with.

low mileage
 

My '99 e300td has 134,500 miles. I usually get around 30 on the road and around 27 and 28 in town, but most of that is expressway. My tech thought IP timing could be set by computer. So it is strictly mechanical? Also, I know how to figure MPG, too. I have driven diesel cars 26 years and this one is the worst as far as mileage. Of course, it is the fastest one I ever had. Ernie in Louisville

The timing is controlled by a fly weight system like a fully mechanical pump. The computer controls rack position, EGR and the turbo wastegate.