Mercedes Required to Correct C300 MPG Ratings

A pair of Mercedes-Benz C300 models will have their official fuel economy figures reassigned.

The EPA told the German automaker to correct the fuel economy ratings on the C300 4MATIC FFV and PZEV models after an audit of submitted fuel economy figures revealed a discrepancy between numbers submitted by Mercedes at the time of EPA certification and the figures EPA reached through independent testing.

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The agency is claiming that Mercedes-Benz’s calculations did not adequately account for “road-load,” a byproduct of aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance. As a result, the C300 4MATIC FFV will have its city MPG rating changed from 20 MPG to 19 MPG. The PZEV will see changes across the board with the city mileage dropping to 19 from 20 MPG, the highway economy going from 29 MPG to 28 MPG and the combined-mpg rating changing to 22 from 23MPG.

“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 the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality in a statement.

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