Any comments will be apprectiated. **Car was built for Japan and it's in the Philippines**

I always use the higher, but if you are not going to get on it I think you could get away with it.

It's only an island!

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William
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1987 420 SEL - Like a fine wine only better with age

I would try the lower octane and see if the car pings during acceleration especially going uphill. If it does, then go to the higher octane.

Do you still have leaded gasoline over there? If so, then you are lucky! The car was designed for leaded gasoline.

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

No leaded fuel here! Was it really designed for leaded fuel??

No it wasn't designed for leaded fuel, no car was since the 60's at least.

Considering how hot it is where you are, I'd use 95. But try 93, see if it pings.

You guys probably use a different measure of octane. Your 93 is probably not the same as ours.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Weren't they still using lead in Germany in 1989? I agree that engines used in the USA were designed to run without lead since at least 1974, but what about engines meant for other countries?

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

These engines are fine w/o lead..the valve seats are hardened to star w/ thus not needing any lead.

Besides, after a tank or two of lead the chemical bonding/formation of the halide on the valve seat has taken place (very important on non hardened seats) and one should be good to go.


Jonathan

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Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
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Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
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