Hi ,
I recently purchased a 03 ML 500 with 69k. The gas mileage seems to be very poor. I get about 9-10 mpg. What should I fix to improve the mileage other than replacing the plugs. BTW it has 16 plugs. Thanks

smk_texas
03 ML500
98 S420

You are probably real close to "real" numbers. The 03 had a combined MPG of 13 add some Air Conditioning and 10 is the mileage I see.

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Thanks very much. I thought it would be low around 14-15 but I was surprised when I was getting only 10mpg. However, I enjoy the performance of this vehicle.

smk_texas.

Plug change interval is 100K miles.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Thanks Kent. Do you know if it takes synthetic or 20w50 ??

I get 12-14 in town, high teens to almost 20 on a trip. To hit 20, I need to keep it under 70. Problem in part is MB chose the wrong diff gearing for the V8.

Suggest plugs every 50k, they will last longer but they do wear out.

I have switched to M1 0w-40, seems to help slightly on mileage, but I do it mostly for wear characteristics of M1. Oil change now in the 7500-8000 mile range.

Regards,
Jerry

Spark plug chang should be 5 YEARS or 100K wich ever comes FIRST.

And 100K miles does damage to wires & coils. ON the latest schedules MB recommends 78K for spark plugs.

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