FAQ LPG installation

Are you looking for a Mercedes that can be converted to LPG? In this newsletter, we provide a comprehensive overview of the models suitable for LPG conversion, both for vehicles with multipoint injection (MPI) and for the newer models with direct injection. This is particularly useful for customers who want to benefit from the cost savings and environmental advantages of LPG.

Newer Mercedes Models with Direct Injection

For newer models with direct injection (DI), conversion is limited to vehicles for which an LPG system has been developed. LPG conversion technology for direct injection engines requires specific developments, which are not available in all cases for the latest engine types. Below is an overview of the models that have already been developed.

Model Overview

Mercedes Models with Multipoint Injection (MPI)

All models with multipoint injection can be converted to LPG.

The most recent Mercedes-Benz models that still used multipoint fuel injection (MPI) in their petrol engines often belong to the entry-level models or older engine variants, where the focus was on cost savings or reliability. These engines have increasingly been replaced by modern direct injection (GDI) engines due to improved performance and efficiency.

However, in recent years, some models with multipoint injection have still been produced, especially in cheaper or older engine variants. Usually, these engines are used in the more affordable models or in markets with less stringent emission standards. Some examples of the most recent models that may still use MPI systems (up to approximately 2020-2021) are:

1. Mercedes-Benz A-Class (A180 and A200) Engines: The entry-level A-Class models (such as the A180) were equipped with MPI engines in the past, although more recent variants have often switched to direct injection (such as the M282 or M260 engines).
2. Mercedes-Benz B-Class (B180) Engines: The B180 may also have used older MPI engines, especially in models from before 2015, although most engines were later equipped with GDI systems.
3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class (C180) The C180 engines were also equipped with multipoint injection in the past. This concerns older models, such as the C-Class W205 from before 2015. Newer C-Class models, however, have more advanced technologies, such as direct injection (GDI).
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E200) In older versions of the E-Class, such as the E200 up to about 2014, MPI was still used in some engine variants. The more modern E-Class, however, has often switched to direct-injected engines.
5. Mercedes-Benz CLA and GLA Entry-level variants of the CLA and GLA from the A-Class series (such as the CLA180 and GLA180) may still have MPI technology in certain models, especially in the older generations or cheaper trims.
6. Mercedes-Benz SLK (now SLC) In older versions of the SLK and its successor the SLC, such as the SLK200, multipoint injection may still be present, especially in models from before 2015.

Steps to check if an engine has multipoint injection

On the website www.auto-data.net you can quickly find out if an engine has multipoint injection (MPI) by consulting the engine’s technical specifications. Here are the steps you can follow to check if an engine has MPI:

Go to www.auto-data.net:

• Visit the website and use the search function to find the make and model of the vehicle for which you want to view the specifications.

Search by make and model

• In the search field, you can enter the make and model of the car (e.g., “Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2017” or another vehicle of your choice).

Select the correct version

• The website shows a list of different versions of the model, often divided into engine versions (petrol, diesel, hybrid, etc.). Click on the version you want to investigate (e.g., a petrol engine).

Search for the fuel injection type:

• In the list of specifications, there is a section that describes the fuel injection type. This can be:
  • MPI (Multipoint Injection): This means the engine uses multipoint injection. On the website, this is described as “Multi-port manifold injection.” This type of engine can always be converted to LPG.
  • GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection): This means the engine uses direct fuel injection.
  • FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection): This is a variant of direct injection, mainly used by Volkswagen.
  • TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection): This is used for diesel engines but is also a form of direct injection.

Why choose an LPG conversion?

• Lower fuel costs: LPG is significantly cheaper than petrol.
• Environmentally friendly: LPG emits fewer harmful substances.
• Suitable for modern engines: Compatible with the latest engine technologies.
• Longer engine life: LPG burns cleaner, which reduces wear and tear.

Interested in an LPG conversion for your Mercedes?

Our specialists are ready to help you with a professional installation. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote or visit our workshop in Eeklo.

👉 Request your quote now!

Switch to LPG today and save significantly on your fuel costs!

LPG is a fuel that is becoming increasingly popular among drivers. It is an alternative to petrol and diesel and is increasingly seen as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. Here are some advantages of LPG installations:

1. Low fuel costs: The main reason why many people switch to LPG is because of the low fuel costs. LPG is generally cheaper than petrol and diesel and can therefore provide significant savings in the long term.
2. Environmentally friendly: LPG is a clean fuel and emits fewer harmful substances than petrol and diesel. This makes it better for the environment and can contribute to cleaner air and better air quality.
3. Higher energy efficiency: LPG has higher energy efficiency than petrol and diesel, which means that more kilometers can be covered with the same amount of fuel.
4. Longer engine lifespan: LPG has a higher octane value than petrol, which provides better combustion in the engine. This can extend the engine’s lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.
5. Wide availability of filling stations: There are increasingly more filling stations where LPG is available, making the use of LPG more accessible.
6. Meets strict safety standards: LPG installations meet strict safety standards and are regularly inspected to ensure that they remain safe and reliable.

In short, LPG is still a cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel option. It can result in lower fuel costs, better air quality, and a longer engine lifespan. With a growing network of LPG filling stations and safe LPG installations, it may be worth considering switching to LPG.

Request an online quote here for an LPG installation in your car.

Price comparison between LPG, petrol, and CNG.

Calculation for a vehicle with a petrol engine that consumes 8 liters per 100 km.

To make a cost comparison for a car that consumes 8 liters of petrol per 100 km, we need to calculate the total fuel costs per 100 km for each of the three fuels: petrol, LPG, and CNG.

For petrol, the price is 1.845 euros per liter. To calculate the cost per 100 km, we multiply the consumption per 100 km (8 liters) by the price per liter (1.845 euros):

8 liters x 1.845 euros/liter = 14.76 euros per 100 km.

For LPG, you consume 15% more than on petrol, so the consumption per 100 km will be 1.15 x 8 liters = 9.2 liters. The price of LPG is 0.7140 euros per liter. So the cost per 100 km for LPG is:

9.2 liters x 0.7140 euros/liter = 6.5808 euros per 100 km.

For CNG, you consume 40% less than on petrol, so the consumption per 100 km is 0.6 x 8 liters = 4.8 kg. The price of CNG is 1.935 euros per kg. So the cost per 100 km for CNG is:

4.8 kg x 1.935 euros/kg = 9.288 euros per 100 km.

So the total fuel costs per 100 km are:

• Petrol: 14.76 euros
• CNG: 9.288 euros
• LPG: 6.5808 euros

Based on this calculation, LPG is the most cost-effective option for this car.

For the prices in the calculation, I took into account the maximum prices of gasoline and LPG on the date of 05/04/2023, for CNG I used the price of DATS24 in Eeklo on 05/04/2023. The calculation does not take into account a portion of gasoline consumption during driving on gas.

It may sound strange, but for vehicles equipped with an LPG installation, a discount is first given, and then an additional tax is added.

Discount on the BIV (tax the first time when you start driving your car)

If your car drives on LPG, you will receive a significant reduction on the BIV (in some cases more than 50 percent off). You can calculate the BIV on the following link: https://belastingen.fenb.be/ui/public/vkb/simulatie

In the simulation it is not immediately noticeable that you get a discount by LPG, because only the net tax is mentioned (with the discount deducted). To know the right discount, it is best to enter the same vehicle with the fuel “petrol”. That’s how you see the difference.

The discount is not limited in amount, which can increase the benefit to more than 5000 euros. So it’s definitely worth calculating.

Reduction of traffic tax

For each passenger car with LPG there is a reduction in the traffic tax of 107.88 euros (from 01/01/2019).

Additional traffic tax

An additional traffic tax must be paid for passenger cars. The amount is calculated based on the power of your vehicle’s engine.

For a small engine up to 7 tax HP you will therefore have a net discount on the traffic tax (107.88-89.16 euros). So at 7 HP you get a net 18.72 euro discount. For a car of 8 to 13 HP you pay an extra 40.80 euros and for a car with more than 13 HP you pay net 100.32 extra.

No additional LPG tax should be paid for light freight and there is no reduction.

The time when an LPG tank took a lot of space is far behind us. For many cars, modern space-saving toroidal tanks are now available. This toroidal tank is mounted in the place of the spare wheel. The spare wheel itself can be mounted (for example in a station wagon) standing against the side wall of the luggage compartment. If the car is equipped with a small spare wheel (home comer) then this can often be mounted on the toroidal tank, or for example against the back wall in the back seat. However, you can also omit the spare wheel. In this case, you arm yourself against a flat tire with a special spray can (see below), which temporarily close a flat tire. This allows you to continue at a slower speed, until you have the opportunity to have the tire replaced. Other space-saving possibilities of installation are tanks which are mounted under the car.

A spare wheel in the car is not required by law.

Toroidal tank
The toroidal tank is a round tank that is mounted on the spot of the spare wheel, in the car in the cockpit of the spare wheel or under the car. As a result, it is not visible and, very importantly, it does not take up a luggage compartment. If you are going on holiday, you can just take all your bags with you. Two solutions are possible for your spare tyre:

1. The tire can be repaired by a special spray can with which the flat tire is temporarily closed. As with a home bringer, you can then drive at a lower speed until you have the opportunity to (have) the tire replaced or repaired.

2. In a number of cases, a ‘home bowl’ can be attached to the ring tank or hung under the car via a bracket. So you ride on LPG and always have a spare wheel with you!

LPG abroad is on the rise. In most countries of Europe, LPG is sufficiently available. If you cannot reach an LPG petrol station abroad in a timely manner, then nothing is wrong. After all, a car on LPG can also run on petrol without any problems!

Met de handige app van Landi Renzo vindt u gemakkelijk een LPG-tankstation in uw buurt. Voor LPG tankstations in België en Frankrijk kan ik je de website carbu.com aanraden. Hier kan je ook de prijzen raadplegen van de verschillende LPG tankstations.

Don’t forget the fill nipples!

Do you think that you bring filling nipples during a trip abroad! There are 4 different filling connections in Europe, these vary from country to country.

Pure propane refueling

LPG is a mixture of propane and butane. The boiling point of butane (or the point at which liquid is converted to gas) is around freezing. For a motor home or air balone, butane is not usable at colder temperatures. For a car, this is not a problem because the gas is taken in liquid.

At the following petrol stations you can refuel pure propane:

If you go on winter sports or to colder destinations it is useful to refuel LPG on site for your mobile home, caravan or camper. In Norway you fill up out 100 percent pure propane throughout the year. If, on the other hand, you go to Southern destinations such as Spain, the share of butane will be higher in the mixture of LPG.

Motorists who travel relatively many kilometers will wonder if they will opt for LPG or diesel when buying another car. Things like the (mileage) price and performance play an important role in this. But the pollution of our environment is also an important consideration when choosing between different fuels.

Cost

In most cases, the tipping point of LPG compared to petrol is considerably lower than diesel compared to petrol. In addition, lpg savings are higher in most cases. The purchase price of a car with an LPG installation is also lower than the price of the comparable diesel version. Similarly, we mean here: an LPG and a diesel engine that deliver similar performance.

‘More economical’ is not always ‘cheaper’

The fact is that a diesel engine consumes less fuel than an engine running on LPG. This is because a liter of diesel oil of all types of fuel contains the most energy. However, the higher consumption of LPG is more than made up for by the significantly lower fuel price of LPG!

Performance and environment

The days when diesels were really slow are behind us. Modern diesel engines provide more power than we used to, they are also quieter and pollute less than in the past. However, even the most modern diesels still provide less power per litre of cylinder capacity than engines on LPG. This means in practice that, for the same performance as an LPG engine, you must have a diesel engine that has a much larger cylinder capacity. A diesel engine with the same engine capacity as an LPG engine delivers lower performance. As for exhaust gases: LPG is still the least polluting fuel!

Other differences

No separate tank needs to be built into a diesel car. However, thanks to the modern installation techniques of LPG installations, such as the toroidal tank in the recess for the spare wheel and substructure, the downside is that driving on LPG costs a lot of luggage space in the past! For each model passenger car that comes on the market, there is a choice of several petrol engines. The supply for diesel engines is a lot smaller. Some cars don’t even come with a diesel engine at all. Special versions, such as coupes, convertibles, or models with an automatic gearbox, are often not available with diesel engines. Those who opt for LPG therefore have a greater choice of the range of models.