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EPA Requires Mercedes-Benz to Correct Fuel Economy Labels for Two C300 4-Matic Vehicles
Release Date: 10/01/2014
Contact Information: Christie St. Clair (News Media only), stclair.christie@epa.gov, (202) 564-2880
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2014
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising estimates for two 2013/2014 Mercedes C300 4-matic vehicles, the FFV and PZEV, to ensure consumers are given accurate fuel economy values.
During EPA fuel economy audit testing, the Mercedes C300 4-matic was found to have values that differed from those submitted to EPA at the time of certification. With EPA oversight, Mercedes conducted new emissions and fuel economy testing, and EPA conducted its own testing at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a result of this subsequent testing, EPA is requiring Mercedes to relabel its 2013 and 2014 C300 4-matic models with lower fuel economy values.
The specific changes to fuel economy stickers are listed in the table below.
Model | C300 4-Matic FFV | C300 4-Matic PZEV | ||||
 | Combined (mpg) | City (mpg) | Highway (mpg) | Combined (mpg) | City (mpg) | Highway (mpg) |
Original Values | 22 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 20 | 29 |
New Values | 22 | 19 | 27 | 22 | 19 | 28 |
“Even though the adjustments are small, it is important that our oversight system is producing the correct results because even one MPG matters to consumers,” said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “EPA will continue strong oversight of fuel economy values to ensure that consumers have the best information available to make important purchasing decisions, to ensure fair competition among automakers, and to protect investments in new fuel efficient technologies.
The original values reported by Mercedes underestimated the impact of aerodynamic drag and tire rolling resistance known as “road-load.” While this error impacted the fuel economy estimates by a small amount, these vehicles were found to be in compliance with emissions standards. EPA also tested several other Mercedes as part of this spot check, and found their labeling was accurate.
EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, conducts fuel economy testing on a number of vehicles each year to ensure that their performance matches the mileage and emissions data automakers submit to EPA. These spot-checks are part of the oversight program that helps ensure that carmakers are following the same procedures for calculating mileage estimates. The oversight program also helps the EPA verify that vehicles on the road meet national tailpipe emission standards to protect public health and the environment.
More information on today’s update: www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/updates.htm.
Updated fuel economy values are also available on the joint EPA and the Department of Energy website: www.fueleconomy.gov
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