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ETA is two weeks to take delivery, which is about a week before thanksgiving. I have plans to visit family in upstate NY about 150 miles away, and once I pass NYC it’s all highway driving. Should I painfully keep the c43 home and properly break it in or just say screw it and enjoy the ride. I’ll own the car so following the break-in procedure is what I’d like to do.
Oh? Heard many different people talking about break-in for these engines..
Yeah, it's a misinformation, people get confused because in the manual it says that AMG vehicle require a 1000 break in but it only applies to the hand build V8. But it's your car and your choice
Break in is not required for V6 engine in all 43 series.
I was told specifically by the salesman, the sales manager, and the senior tech at the dealership to follow the break in period.
- 1000 miles / 1500 kilometers
- nothing abover 4500rpm
- no using cruise control
I was told specifically by the salesman, the sales manager, and the senior tech at the dealership to follow the break in period.
- 1000 miles / 1500 kilometers
- nothing abover 4500rpm
- no using cruise control
not sure if it’s for insurance purposes. Idk if they say that to cover themselves or what but better to follow it then not I guess. Just not sure how bad highway driving is since you can’t vary RPMs like you can with city driving.
A few questions for you:
DO you plan on endurance racing the car, making sure every last bit of efficiency is wrung out?
DO you plan on keeping the car after the 4 year warranty expires?
DO you like living by the book, even if the book is written for up to 6 different powertrains depending on the market?
DO you like getting a new toy, wrapping the box in plastic and put it on the shelf?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should baby it.
If you answered no to all of these questions then
A few questions for you:
DO you plan on endurance racing the car, making sure every last bit of efficiency is wrung out?
DO you plan on keeping the car after the 4 year warranty expires?
DO you like living by the book, even if the book is written for up to 6 different powertrains depending on the market?
DO you like getting a new toy, wrapping the box in plastic and put it on the shelf?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should baby it.
If you answered no to all of these questions then
I am planning on keeping it for as long as possible unless the car is plagued with problems or nuisances that I’d rather pass to someone else. Once the car hits 1000 my plan was to definitely have fun with it. I won’t be beating on it every second but enough to enjoy.
I'm on the other side of the equation - I've tried to properly break-in every vehicle I've ever owned. For the first 1000km - I drive it at varying RPMs, don't give it WOT, and don't red-line it.
The short and sweet of it is that no one really has a be all / end all argument to prove if engine break-in is required or not. There is an argument to be made that manufacturers run the engine on a block to break it in before shipping the car out...but conversely, is it run in enough to have the piston rings settle properly? Who knows.
My school of thought is, would it really be the end of the world if I drove my car softly for the first 1000 km? Not in my case - I'd rather wait to have peace of mind knowing that I did everything I could to ensure I get maximum continued performance from it.
I was told this exact same thing and blah blah about engine not being broken in under load
at the factory.
- 1000 miles / 1500 kilometers
- nothing abover 4500rpm
- no using cruise control
I've heard so many differing opinions on break-in but given I hope to have this car a while, I'd rather play it safe. I'm about
halfway there so not the end of the world.
I must say though, who test drives a car and keeps it under 4,500 RPMs? Given I bought a car that was on the lot, I'm sure
there were a few people 'test' it out far above those RPMs....really not sure what to think.
I was told this exact same thing and blah blah about engine not being broken in under load
at the factory.
- 1000 miles / 1500 kilometers
- nothing abover 4500rpm
- no using cruise control
I've heard so many differing opinions on break-in but given I hope to have this car a while, I'd rather play it safe. I'm about
halfway there so not the end of the world.
I must say though, who test drives a car and keeps it under 4,500 RPMs? Given I bought a car that was on the lot, I'm sure
there were a few people 'test' it out far above those RPMs....really not sure what to think.
If they did it was very brief and that isn’t a bad thing for the car, they just don’t want it done excessively.
Break in is not required for V6 engine in all 43 series.
not true, first 1000 miles avoid s+, cruise at different speeds along with moderate power thrusts, and keep tach under 4500 rpm's. The age old 'break in' theories abound within car circles. some ignore brake in, some adhere, and some dont give a ****. Me, I break in my cars correctly.
not true, first 1000 miles avoid s+, cruise at different speeds along with moderate power thrusts, and keep tach under 4500 rpm's. The age old 'break in' theories abound within car circles. some ignore brake in, some adhere, and some dont give a ****. Me, I break in my cars correctly.
In your opinion.
Just one example: Oil consumptions issues were worse in cars that adhered to "break-in" than cars without back when I owned my Audi A4.
Experiences are going to be different. I think the one thing that everyone should do - make sure all the critical components are up to temp before romping on it. If you decide to wait ~1,000 to do so - that's for the individual.
Regardless of what anyone here says, you are going to find it really hard not to floor it sometimes. The sound of the engine will tempt you. I suggest having an infirm person in the car at all times while under 1K miles. After that anything can go...
So in your opinion will 150 miles of highway driving right off the truck be a bad idea?
At a constant speed, yes. You'll need to find a way to vary the speed. If you can get off the highway, cut through some small country towns and then get back on it for a spell, you'd be better off I say. Having said that, I gave considerable thought to doing a complete circuit of the M25 as part of my break in, I didn't do it though. The thought of being caught up in traffic put me off.
So in your opinion will 150 miles of highway driving right off the truck be a bad idea?
I'll hit 11,000mi today. I did that 150mi you're talking about in first 6 hours of ownership. I was in evening work traffic, highway cruising and everything in between. And by "everything in between" I mean between 0mph and bouncing off the top speed limiter. Driven hard and put away wet on the regular and have zero issues, bone stock.
I post this every time one of these threads pop up and have on my last few vehicles (all of which have been brand new). Do whatever you feel is "right" but do please read, if for nothing else than to have more mechanical knowledge.
I broke my car in by beating the crap out of it the minute I turned the corner. Car is solid and I'm glad I didn't lose 1000mi of pleasure by following the instructions intended for the C63.
For those of you with a C450 branded car, does your manual say anything specific about C450 engine break-in. Having a C43, I'm trying to understand if I should be driving my car in Eco or Comfort?
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehicles): ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), drive in drive program E.
Additional breaking-in notes for Mercedes-AMG vehicles: Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), drive in program C
I'm thinking Eco because it's the "easiest" on the engine mode where the C63 does not have Eco, it's owners are asked to drive in Comfort...the easiest on the engine mode for their cars. Can someone confirm? Mercedes should at least updated their manual to make things a bit more clear.
2017 AMG C43, AWE Touring, BMC Air Filters- 2015 BMW X3 3.5i (JB1 Equipped)
Its posted right in the MB owners manual to take it easy for the first 1000mi, do not put the car in S mode and keep the RPM's below 3K
The verbiage in the handbook states that doing the proper break in will results in a much more pleasant driving experience down the road...
It probably won't hurt it but I personally would not drive on the highway that distance. The camshaft and rings need to seat, it is suggested to keep the car at varying rpm ranges, straight highway driving would negate this advice.
I also change my oil and filter at the 1k mi mark when breaking my cars in- some say its not necessary but for $60 investment its worth it to me.
2017 AMG C43, AWE Touring, BMC Air Filters- 2015 BMW X3 3.5i (JB1 Equipped)
Its posted right in the MB owners manual to take it easy for the first 1000mi, do not put the car in S mode and keep the RPM's below 3K
The verbiage in the handbook states that doing the proper break in will results in a much more pleasant driving experience down the road...
It probably won't hurt it but I personally would not drive on the highway that distance. The camshaft and rings need to seat, it is suggested to keep the car at varying rpm ranges, straight highway driving would negate this advice.
I also change my oil and filter at the 1k mi mark when breaking my cars in- some say its not necessary but for $60 investment its well worth it to me. I have done this about 6 times with new cars and the oil is always black and dirty when it is drained so...
Its posted right in the MB owners manual to take it easy for the first 1000mi, do not put the car in S mode and keep the RPM's below 3K
The verbiage in the handbook states that doing the proper break in will results in a much more pleasant driving experience down the road...
It probably won't hurt it but I personally would not drive on the highway that distance. The camshaft and rings need to seat, it is suggested to keep the car at varying rpm ranges, straight highway driving would negate this advice.
I also change my oil and filter at the 1k mi mark when breaking my cars in- some say its not necessary but for $60 investment its well worth it to me. I have done this about 6 times with new cars and the oil is always black and dirty when it is drained so...
For what it is worth, There was some older discussions about break in period in the forums. Although there are recommendation regarding the break in period in the manual, several people pointed out that the non-hand built engines in the C43 are actually pre broken in at the factory and that the recommended breakin procedures are just an additional precaution. This does not apply to the C63s.
10-31-2017, 06:59 AM
