When I read ...But…can you really afford a Lexus then? If you have to use the wrong fuel and discount parts?... The dealer was happy to take my cash for the five lexus I've owned. They didn't ask about my social class, only that I have the bucks. By the way, I use Top Tier gas, EBC brake products green stuff is preferred, Purlator and Wix oil filters, NGK spark plugs, Interstate batteries and what I think are known high quality parts. I don't think these manufacturers think they making are making discount parts. As far as wipers, I used to get refills at the local parts stores. They stopped selling them. I have been buying them off eBay. They are an upgrade over the parts stores, being they are silicone. They don't take a set to the windshield and chatter or wipe on one side only. Last time I bought them they were 2 for $1.26. Just checked, 2 lexus wipers $45.99. I'll opt for the no names. I could afford the Lexus brand, do you really think they are that much better?

 

You’re the one who said “this is how I can afford a Lexus”, that’s why I made that comment.

Don’t buy the entire wiper blade from Lexus. Lexus sells just the inserts that go into the OEM Lexus arms. They are also very cheap, they are like $4 an insert. Lexus doesn’t actually make the wipers, they are made by Denso. My Chrysler Pacifica actually has the exact same wipers. I have never found wipers that are as good or as long lasting as those OEM Denso blades. The $200 a pair wipers on my Mercedes are hot garbage compared to those wiper blades.

 

Have you thought of using discount Lexus wipers on on the Merc?

 

You need to realize that the cars anti-knock system wants to run the spark advance to a certain level and it can't on 87, it then dials back and creeps back up to where it wants until it detects detonation again in an endless cycle. This will result in damage, however slight to pile up. Look up KCLV to start to learn more, you also will be subjecting the cooling system seals to the wrong lube pack among other things by not using the correct coolant.

Ditto on gas, I get $1.00-1.50 off through my wifes work at shell so 93 makes ZERO difference to me.

 

He has a far more complex wiper system and can't.

 

I would if I could, they are a proprietery "magic vision control" wiper thats heated and dispenses the fluid along the beam of the wiper in both directions, and the only option for replacements is through MB.

 

Chrysler had a system that tried to do that, I don't think it went over very well. Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and pay the piper.

 

I'd have no problem paying $200 for wiper blades if they were good wiper blades lol. Mercedes have terrible wipers, they streak and chatter etc.

 

For many years I only put 93 octane in my 2007 LS460. Starting a few years ago I switched to mostly 87 octane. In Massachusetts the difference between 87 and 93 is at minimum $1.10 per gallon and can go up to $1.30 and even $1.40 per gallon. To fill my tank with 20 gallons we're talking about at least $22 more. There is no conceivable way my gas mileage plunges so badly that using 87 is not cost effective. The fact is I track my mileage regularly and I can tell there is virtually no difference in mileage. I mean on any given tank I may drive more highway than city or vice versa, but the slight differences in mileage is negligible. As far as power, I don't see any measurable difference, but then I'm not driving this car aggressively.

I wouldn't argue that I might be doing some damage to valves, fuel injectors, or fouling up the ECU, or etc., but the car is almost 16 years old so .....

I also only use Shell 87 in the LS, so no discount untreated gas goes in the tank.

 

LOL OMG those Merc wipers have to win a Rube Goldberg award. The Germans have a knack of taking the simplest task and dreaming up the most complicated solution. Usually the end results are good. I had a Mini and a BMW, the nav, instrument cluster and radio needed a two week course to learn the ins and outs of operation. I never did figure out the logic on the glove box lock. I kept everything in the trunk. I could only open the trunk by pulling the lid up while pressing the fob. The trunk would immediately lock after pressing the fob. You have my sympathies. Have a good night.

 

There is absolutely some truth to this!

I have my wipers so that they don't chatter, but literally every MB loaner I have had has wipers that chatter so badly they are hard to deal with. I'm actually afraid to replace my wiper blades because I have them so that they are wiping smooth lol

How a company that can engineer such an incredible chassis and suspension and powertrain can't design wipers that don't skip is beyond me lol

 

It doesn't richen the mixture based on octane. Not at all. It doesn't even retard the timing based on octane. My meaning is, the ECU doesn't know what octane fuel is in the tank. All it "knows" it that it senses knock. And if it does, it will retard the timing. It will lose small percentage of power based on that. It may lose some mpg based on not burning the fuel quite as efficiently (and having to burn a skosh more fuel to obtain the energy required, but not accomplished by richening). I have my doubts the mpg difference would be noticeable unless in a laboratory type of environment. The engine will not immediately start knocking based on 87 octane gas. Under most circumstances, 87 octane gas would work just fine.

My owner's manual calls for 91 octane gas. I don't know the fact, but I think ~85 - 88 is low octane, 89-90 is mid grade, and 91 and higher is high octane. Sometimes if I'm in no hurry, and letting my OCD get the best of me, I'll mix 87 and 93 octane 2:1 to achieve 91 octane. Because I'm just a nerd like that.

 

Gas where Iam is also a dollar a gallon difference between regular and premium. 50 cents on mid grade. I have an 04 Toyota Sienna XLE and I have always used mid grade in it. The difference on that car is about 4 miles per gallon highway if i use regular. Occasionally I spring for premium in it and it likes it and I do too cause that thing will get up and go. So by habit that's what Ive been running in the LS too. Its not quite as peppy as with premium but I can live with it. Never checked the mpg difference but didn't really care anyways.
A comment was made about the ECU not knowing what octane the fuel is. Well it kinda does using the O2 sensors and MAP and worse case the knock sensors. Now for instance my Toyota I mentioned. It has 11:1 compression. And yes variable valve timing. The difference between regular fuel and premium is night and day. Its like going from a V6 to V8 power wise. They can make that high compression ratio with the variable valve and ignition timing.and all the sensors checking whats going on in the burn system. I don't by any means have to run higher octane in my mini van and I usually settle for the mid grade as its a good compromise. Now if I read correctly the 4.6 has 11:5 compression ratio. That engine will definitely benefit from the higher octane fuel. Even better if your could get like a 95 octane. When using high octane your getting that full compression ratio that the engine is capable of.making to get that horsepower. With lower octane It just de-tunes itself with compression loss thru valve timing and allows the fuel to still operate the engine at reduced performance. Its really amazing how Toyota has made engines that can burn various octanes of fuel and adapt to those changes and still perform quite well. My owners manual for my Sienna states that Toyota recommends premium fuel for all their vehicles. But not required for this vehicle. With such high compression ratios its advantageous to use the premium fuel. Too bad the prices are so high

 

The Toyota/Lexus wiper refills are the unsung hero of OEM parts! I’ve ran every single wiper out there, all the Bosch lines, everything and nothing compares!

 

When the need for REALLY high waders comes out, it's time to leave a thread.