Long Trips/Rest Stops
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Long Trips/Rest Stops
I find that when on a long trip of 5 or so hours, I must stop to stretch at 2 hour intervals or so due to my legs/thighs aching. There is NO driving fatigue involved, just muscle aches. Am I just getting old (54) or is this the ergonomics of a car seat/driving position. Some 8 years ago, on a trip from NY to Florida I slid behind the wheel of a Chevy Astro (van) & drove from noon to 1 AM, only stopping for gas or a very brief bathroom stop. That means either the seating position in a van is better suited to long trips than even a "driver's car"...or I'm just getting old.
How long do you feel you can drive at highway speeds without a stop to "walk out the kinks" comfortably?
How long do you feel you can drive at highway speeds without a stop to "walk out the kinks" comfortably?
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Aug 12, 2004 at 12:58 PM.
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
Consider that you may be so comfortable that you aren't moving around. Shift around in your seat some more. Also, aim the front of the seat up and the back down. I find this helps.
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From: Red Sox Nation (No. Va. chapter)
2004 E500
Barry, I'm afraid it's the years catching up with you although ergonomics may play a factor also. I've driven across country four different times and used to be able to drive 8-10 hours a day with only brief gas stops. But, I can't go much more than 2 to 3 hours without a break any more. It's also not a bad idea to take a break every few hours so as to avoid DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or pulmonary embolisms. There's been more publicity about DVT and long airplane trips but it can happen if you sit in a car for too long also.
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
The owner's manual for my dear departed E39 BMW (still got the manual, not the car, since the car went to the knacker after the accident) has a page or two of recommended stretching exercises for rest stops - with diagrams. I think it also recommends rest intervals, although I don't have it with me right now. There's an element of German cultural stereotype in this ("You VILL stop regularly und you VILL eggzerzize!") but stopping and stretching every hour or two is actually a good safety measure, regardless of your age.
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From: New York Area
'14 E350 wagon; BMW G12 (2020) G01 (2019)
Every two hours is not unreasonable. Gives you time for a stretch, fill the tank, have some water without worrying about spilling it, hit the bathroom. But of course this is only because its what I would do and I do not want to concede that its an age thing (I'm 58). But there is another possibility -- all the cramps, etc are a sign of tension. If your 5 hour drive includes streches with heavy traffic and stop and go traffic flow, as opposed to toodling along at high speed in light traffic, it will cause you to need to stop more often to decompress. It also deends on whether you are driving in sunlight, cloudy weather, or darkness. Night driving takes more effort and concentration, and sometimes so does driving in brilliant sunshine that presents glare. Bottom line: lots of variables here. Maybe you are indeed getting old, but that's not the whole answer.
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
Of course we won't attribute these issues to age. It may be that we are more aware of the aches and pains as we understand our bodies better with use. I know that I used to be extremely tense while driving long distances and would get pain and cramped muscles in my neck and shoulder. I used to just drive through the pain and pay for this after the drive. I now plan to stop every 2 hours or so to at least make room for more water or coffee.
Jim
Jim
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From: CT and FL
SL500 E320 ML350
Face it, YOU'RE OLD! 
Just kidding (I'm 63). I find the same as the rest of us on long trips now. What helps me is to use the memory seat feature to store additional confortable (but different) driving positions. When I feel cramped up or tired I switch between them. Seems to help. Getting out for a stretch every once in a while is still the best cure.
Just kidding (I'm 63). I find the same as the rest of us on long trips now. What helps me is to use the memory seat feature to store additional confortable (but different) driving positions. When I feel cramped up or tired I switch between them. Seems to help. Getting out for a stretch every once in a while is still the best cure.
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From: Central Illinois
2004 E500, 2001 BMW X5 4.4
I drove 18 hours straight with only three gas stops a few years ago. That was in a Jeep Wrangler. I now like to stop every couple of hours (in my BMW X5 - haven't tried it in the E500 but expect the sam). I'm 47. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned we're just getting old.
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
I did a 10 hr trip last month to Idaho with only gas stops.... No problems to report and the seats were great.... I also agree about the memory feature.... I have settings for highway and city driving. Switching back and forth within the settings really helps. 
Member
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500
Multiple choice:
(a) You ARE getting old
(b) Your expectation of comfort in your W211 is so high that you are not mentally "steeled" for the long drive
(c) You ARE getting old -- hmmm, maybe its me getting old
(a) You ARE getting old
(b) Your expectation of comfort in your W211 is so high that you are not mentally "steeled" for the long drive
(c) You ARE getting old -- hmmm, maybe its me getting old
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From: Michigan, USA
'05 E320 CDI, '07 VW Touareg V10 TDI, 2007 Porsche GT3
Range
At age 61 and facing prostate surgery in the near future, I find that bladder capacity is the limiting factor in long drives. I did ~4 hours last week (Mt-Tremblant, Qc to Brockville, On) in one stretch, but I don't think I'd want to do that again soon.
The theoretical range of the CDI, 780 miles, strikes me as a bit of a joke!
The theoretical range of the CDI, 780 miles, strikes me as a bit of a joke!
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06 320E CDI, Porsche 911 C2, Pontiac Montana
You bunch of old people! Why can't you be as young as me? (50 
)
I use to get so bored and sleepy that I had to stop every two hours but now I find my back is hurting me after 3 hours of driving.
I just got my CDI and I think that I am going take the idea of using multiple seating positions from the auto seat adjust.
)I use to get so bored and sleepy that I had to stop every two hours but now I find my back is hurting me after 3 hours of driving.
I just got my CDI and I think that I am going take the idea of using multiple seating positions from the auto seat adjust.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
I am a young cat (27) and I find that the car provides great support however I did load the seats up with functions (dynamic, massage, ventillation, 1,000 comfort adjustments) to ensure my comfort. Before this one I had an '02 BMW 5 series and my back hurt all the time when taking long trips, now I don't have any discomfort at all. If my car had a bathroom in it I probably would never have to stop! 
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
I'm beginning to see my 2 1/2 hr squirming time limit isn't so crazy...ahhh, old age. 
Squirming???? your lucky.... I my world the bladder is king....
Senior Member
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From: Lone Star State.
W211 2005 CDI, X166 2013 350 BT, 997.1 2008 C4S
Originally Posted by khaug
At age 61 and facing prostate surgery in the near future, I find that bladder capacity is the limiting factor in long drives. I did ~4 hours last week (Mt-Tremblant, Qc to Brockville, On) in one stretch, but I don't think I'd want to do that again soon.
The theoretical range of the CDI, 780 miles, strikes me as a bit of a joke!
The theoretical range of the CDI, 780 miles, strikes me as a bit of a joke!
At 2500 miles, I have taken a trip down to Houston from Dallas in the early AM hours ie. no traffic just constant cruising at 60-75mph mph down I45. I averaged 35-37 MPG with the AC on (Hot Texas summers). I do believe that 780 miles per tank is attainable and not just"theoretical". Once ULSD and our TxLED is widely available this will deifntley improve mileage. I can assume that as our CDI's are truly broken in at 20,000 miles, our MPG will increase. Hope you're enjoying your CDI as much as I am.
Happy Motoring
