Break in procedure
Nothing against lawyers, BTW... ;-)
Nothing against lawyers, BTW... ;-)

Drive it like you stole it
What does that mean?
I would guess a thief would drive very conservatively so as not to draw attention? Or drive it like the cops are chasing you? Doesn't make sense
Much like ignoring the mfgs break in instructions
Fast & delerious mentality
Live for today tomorrow may never come!!!
Until tomorrow lol
I got so much $$$, such a baller, I can abuse my property and just buy more!!! Yeah!!!
What a joke
I'm glad the world is populated with stupid people
Lowers the bar and makes me look smarter lol
Safer to think you are dumb
More likely to be accurate also lol
Last edited by Ingenieur; Aug 3, 2014 at 08:30 PM.
I'm thinking about babying it the first 1000 miles (keep it under 4500 rpm). The first oil change is scheduled at 20,000 miles, I'm probably gonna do it at around 5000 just for the heck of it.
Just wanted to know your opinions/thoughts about this. I know some people say "drive it as you stole it" from day one but I kind of doubt that this is the best way to break in a merc, even though it's very tempting to floor it (takes a lot of self control not to).
I debated on adding a post to this thread. There seems to be quite a bit of passion in the thread. Also, for whatever reason, Break-In Procedure, What Oil to Use and which tune to run seems to cause all kinds of angst among the group!
With this said, I am going to post up what the Head Foreman at my dealer told me before taking delivery of the car. He has been to Affalterbach for training and other AMG events around the globe. If you search for post created by my username, you will find the entire Q&A session with the Head Foreman. In any event, here is what he said:
Break in.
The head foreman has been in the automotive business for 50 years with 30 of those years at MB. Started off doing mechanic work with racing (dirt track, SCCA GTP series, continues to do work with Mustang series racing). His direct quote, "you will talk to 100 different people and get 100 different opinions on break in." From his perspective, one ought to break in the car as you will be driving the car in the future. With the new processes now with manufacturing, the sealing ought to be good to go from the factory. As has been stated here, the oil consumption issues seen on cars usually is down to the sealings. The most important thing with our cars is to ensure the oil is up to temperature! Don't go out and beat on the car when the text is blue. Other than that, have fun with the car. Break it in as you will drive it.
As someone has stated here, it is up to the buyer to decide which procedure to use.
Happy

-C
AMG has only 1 opinion which they actually put in writing.
I was told by an engineer who works for Mahle (they make pistons/rings/cylinder coatings for MB, BMW, and many others) that break in is MORE important now due to the vapor deposited coatings and other polishing/machining techniques used on modern cars.
Damage them during break in and count on power loss and oil consmption issues.
Also more internal friction, heat, wear and higher fuel consumption.
Talk to any airplane power unit mechanic about the importance of break in.
This is NOT opinon based, this is engineering based and proven over time.
To each their own but AMG must feel pretty strong about it since they actually put it in the manual.
As did BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, et al
Last edited by Ingenieur; Aug 4, 2014 at 10:14 AM.
explain what happens at 4600rpm that doesn't happen at 4400rpm?
What magically changes at 1000 miles?
The break in instructions are written by attorneys, just like the rest of the manual.
Finally, I don't care what you coat the surface of the cylinders with, the rings need cylinder pressure.
Now, since you listed the SAE papers, would you like to post the full study. The abstract doesn't really say anything of value.
Big difference 4400 vs 7200
Your arguement is absurd
Stress increases as the square of the speed
So does waer and heat generated
When maching something you start slow and finish with a high speed polish
Same for engine break in
Diminishing returns
Beyond a 1000 strokes with sandpaper the surface doesn't get any smoother
500 is not enough, 1500 too much , 1000 optimum
Lawyers do not write the manual
Tech writers do
Based on input from designers, engineers and even lawyers
The break in procedure is for the health of the engine
Not liability
Although there is a secondary benefit less warranty issues and higher customer satisfaction
Of course the rings need pressure to seat lol
There is a gap and heat expands them to shrink the gap and enhance the seal
Big difference bewteen raw iron and Ni coated alloy
If the mean eff cyl press is too high the sharp edges of the rings will scratch the walls
Hence light loads until they are buffed/rounded/mated
Poor lawyers blamed for everything lol
The SAE paper is for members only and is copywrited
It does show there is a whole field of study on break in not written by lawyers

explain what happens at 4600rpm that doesn't happen at 4400rpm?
What magically changes at 1000 miles?
The break in instructions are written by attorneys, just like the rest of the manual.
Finally, I don't care what you coat the surface of the cylinders with, the rings need cylinder pressure.
Now, since you listed the SAE papers, would you like to post the full study. The abstract doesn't really say anything of value.
Last edited by Ingenieur; Aug 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
The manual written by the folks who built the car
Or
'Feelings' or 'beliefs' of those with dubious or no qualifications and not invested in the outcome...if the followers of this dubious advice have an issue will the givers of said ridiculous advice ante up to fix any related problem?
I can tell anyone anything if I have no responsibility for the outcome...
Most people smart enough to afford these cars are smart enough to follow the mfgs recommended practice and ignore BS LOL
Last edited by Ingenieur; Aug 6, 2014 at 05:46 PM.
The manual written by the folks who built the car
Or
'Feelings' or 'beliefs' of those with dubious or no qualifications and not invested in the outcome...if the followers of this dubious advice have an issue will the givers of said ridiculous advice ante up to fix any related problem?
I can tell anyone anything if I have no responsibility for the outcome...
Most people smart enough to afford these cars are smart enough to follow the mfgs recommended practice and ignore BS LOL
I broke mine in gently on the "carbahn".






