cyberorth

I realized today that most owners, including myself, break their car in while in C transmission mode. Sounds logical and smart; however, the first gear never gets used. Its first time is when you are ready to take it all out!
MB never recommends this. Only to limit speed, RPM and load. I will argue that C can be a lot more aggressive than S depending on driving style and therefore I think there is little benefit in breaking the car in C.
I am aware that break in is mainly for the engine internals, but all moving parts need a few hundred miles to "install" properly.

cyberorth

As I am doing this twice now, I notice that the first gear in my 2011 is very jerky when the transmission shifts down from 2nd at a stop. This never happened to my 2009 if I remember correctly.
In and out of first gear is not smooth at all for nice gentlemanly driving. It was never perfect in my 2009, but this is a bit disturbing.
I will wait a few hundred miles to see if gets better.

ZephyrAMG

My 2009 never had that extreme level of a jerk. In fact, funny you mention as I was going to ask and post this same question last year...because my 2010 really jerks downshifting into 1st gear. It is very noticeable and jerky. But I figured it was just breaking in and now it doesn't do it so much after 1000 mile break in.

Point being, I broke it in in C and S occasionally and it is fine now.

cyberorth

I have 600 on the clock and today for the first time I used "S". It's like the car doesn't know how to shift sometimes. Going on an uphill onramp with steady throttle, it shifted nice 1-2, juried into 3 and silk into 4 and finally 5 was with a little kick. Funny how it needs to "learn".

Thanks Zephyr for the info.

C63newdude

I still have the origonal sticker in my winshiled and says:

No more than 85 mph
no more than 4500 rpm
avoid "kick-downs"

I am missing a couple of more things bu my wife took my car today so as soon as she comes back I will post the other couple of things that the stocker tells you to do and not to do. Jusr remember, these engines have many many tested hours prior to delivery.

ZephyrAMG

It's like the old saying, take 2 and call me in the morning. These high torque-capable trans need time to mesh, fluid, metal, seals...Trust me on this one, your trans needs break in. I had major jerky shifts and after some mileage it all smoothed out. Report back after 1500 miles and I promise you it will be smooth...

khmergod

I broke it in using all modes, and with ESP on/sport. Never off though lol. Ran it through the gears up to 4500 , no jerky shifting here, just slow as hell in M.

cyberorth

Agree 100%. We'll do.

cyberorth

That's the thing. I did all of that with my first C63. Now that the novelty is not there, I am breaking in the second one like a "normal" person would do and I am realizing that what I did on the first one worked better. So:

Proper break in method: "Just play around with everything, but be gentle."

Sheep

Very true, the key is to use all the modes but keep the RPMs low.

Sheep

khmergod

Hard to get to 4500 on gears 5+because the car hits speed limits in under 4 seconds. A track day before 1k miles would probably do it some good.

eagle_lex

rpms low/and limited kick down is not meant to break in the motor. its for the tranny and all the other parts on the car. i good source told me while visiting the AMG factory the motors are broke in for 1,000 miles before installed. all rev ranges are tested. so we get the motor already broken in. not sure this helps but a useful tidbit of info none-the-less.

iatacs19

I broke it in HARD using S mode. Be gentle with the brakes though, they require proper bedding or they will squeal like stuck pigs.

norb

Just read the manual and the sticker on the windshield. Its not just the engine, its the whole care you're breaking in, brakes, tires.

ZephyrAMG

+1

coladin

I have about 700 miles and my brakes are already driving me nuts with the squealing...I thought I wss pretty easy on them?

I vary between C and M roughly 85% C and 15%M. I have kept the revs under 4500 although I think on a handful of occasion I have hit 5500 or so. no biggie really and I did hit 100mph cruising on the highway too. its the brakes that are bugging me.

khmergod

That's weird, I have yet to hear my brakes squeak, except right after a car wash, but only momentarily. I'm currently at 1400 miles. Did I mention how much I love this thing? I usually drive 100 miles every Sunday, and only Sunday. I've hit up to 5500rpm or so also during my per 1k mile break in. Maybe I don't squeak because I like to use engine braking, never manually forcing downshift pre 1k miles. Let the car downshift for me during turns, or red lights/signs. My rotors and brakes have virtually no wear on them. Can't say the same for my transmission lol.

cyberorth

Why does my 2011 C63 default to "C" at start up? Did that change across the MYs? Say it ain't so!

khmergod

It is so...

PetroC63

They started that in 2010.

abelr15

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere in the manual something about not using S or M during the break-in period; not saying we should stick to that though. I'm going to alternate between the S and M modes too...makes more sense.

I'm also at around 700 and my brakes are squeaking. Am I washing the car too much??lol

Has anyone had trouble with the cup-holder retainer-thing? One of them keeps popping off!

Otherwise, the car is amazing and I love it!

GuppyC63

I did not break in matter of fact I tuned it in 5oo miles and race to 165mph next day. I hope my car is going to be okay!

cyberorth

I stand corrected. Manual specifically states that ideally C should be selected for the first 1000 miles.

coladin

I'd like to meet someone who has actually done that...just one!

GuppyC63

After I pick up my car from the dealer, I ran 140mph on the way home exceeded 7000rpm.