c200amgline

Is there really a break-in for the C-Class and cars in general these days? Owner's manual states that the car must be driven at various speeds during the first 1,500km and avoiding driving at full throttle. Not sure about going for a one-hour drive tomorrow at a steady 140km/h with under 200km mileage. Other cars available at home. Will be leaving in 8 hours. Please let me know!

c200amgline

By the way I'm asking this question because when I asked my salesman about break-in he told me not to worry about that and just to drive safe.

Glyn M Ruck

With Benz engines under break in don't be too gentle or they never break in properly. Don't change run in oil early. Avoid constant throttle for long periods. Watch the temperature gauge. As long as temperature does not rise excessively you are OK & don't have a tight unit.

highrise

I am of the opinion that a modern engine is "broken in" long before it arrives at your local dealership. It was tested at full throttle before it left the factory, and the people that are employed in the distribution network that brings the car from the factory to the dealership are not paid to drive gently.

Engines are better built these days, and with modern electronics there is no such thing as constant throttle anymore. Variables are being monitored thousands of times per second and continuous adjustments are being made to all sorts of inputs - the world is round so roads can't be flat.

c200amgline

Perfect! Thank you Glyn once again for your help. Always helpful.

c200amgline

Makes a lot sense. I agree that gentle driving a new engine sounds a bit odd. Though I will avoid full throttle as the owner's manual and Glyn suggested and will try to vary my speed. That I believe will ruin the engine badly.

c200amgline

So do you think I should take the car or let my mother drive it until it breaks in?

alsyli

My understanding was that, if the engine is warm, you can run it hard (and that doing so for variable intervals is actually "good" for the engine).

c200amgline

Will definitely do that. How long do you think I can put it on cruise control at 139km/h until I need to vary my speed? It's a 100+km highway with almost no change in speed.

alsyli

I'll let the mechanics and engineers answer that one! (I'm decidedly NOT mechanically minded)

c200amgline

No worries, I am visiting Mercedes mechanics anyways in a few minutes to reset the system as it displays low tyre pressure on the rear right tyre and I'll ask them about this. Thanks for your input alsyli!

c200amgline

Decided to drive my C200 without cruise control and what a comfortable ride it was. Sport steering and Eco suspension in my opinion is the best combination for long drives at high speeds. Did not use cruise control because the owner's manual states that I have to vary my speed, and I was driving in the range if 130-140km/h mostly. Mechanic informed me that no break-in is required though I trust the manual more. Tyre pressure on all wheels were much higher than usual at around 330kpa and he now reduced it to 250kpa.

Glyn M Ruck

Benz uses chamfered MOS2 coated rings in Alusil bores. With modern engine oils this is a highly durable but difficult break in regime.

Not all engines are blue-print hence the temp gauge advice.

Cruise control is far from constant throttle but you need to back off to draw oil into the ring belt regularly.

c200amgline

No worries, I will do that on my return back to Dubai. I've been mostly driving on Eco mode so not a lot of pressure is put on the engine, such as driving in Sport/Sport+. Temperature was constant throughout my journey.

FYI, my car is made in SA. Surprised when I saw it on my registration!