Ntuck

Just curious if any of you know much about the '14 GL 350 diesels. My husband has a Chevy diesel truck and I know that in the winter he has to turn it to engine for about 10 seconds before the truck should start. It is that "pre-glow" thing to help warm it up first or something. Also, he has always said it's not good to start and stop the engine a lot when going places. Just wondering if the 350 Bluetec is also that way? I'm assuming not because if you have the push button start, it reads in the manual that the pre-glow will show up for a second and it will start etc.

Just wanted to get anyone else's opinion on this one...never had the dealer tell me anything about it and technology is changing so much. I realize I could have written this in the Diesel forum, but so many of you out there have the GL 350 Bluetec. Thanks!

cookstar

I have a diesel GL since 08, what you need to do is actually turn on the engine and wait a couple mins in the winter, the rev drops dramatically at once, when its warm unlike a gasoline engine which drops the revs slowly.

Ntuck

Ok, but do you also have a '13 or '14 with the start/stop button? Because it sounds like all you have to do is just push it and it's done. But, I just worry about needing to wait a minute in the winter. I guess they worked out the kinks with the start/stop button and no need to worry?

cookstar

Yes I have a 2013 with keyless go (push start and push stop), you have to wait a at least 2 mins in the winter, you will clearly hear and feel the rev drop at once, its very noticeable. It is much better than my 08 GL but its still a diesel.

Ntuck

Ok, cool. Thanks for your input. So in the winter I should definitely not just push the brake and push the button...I should push the button twice with no break to let it warm up, and then turn the car on? Just don't want to mess up the car. Appreciate the help!

cookstar

what I meant was push the brake, turn on the car and let it idle for 2 mins

aeggroup

In the winter you will push the brake and the button...your display will show "Pre-Glow"...and then start the engine. It's all done automatically. It's all in the manual.

P.S. Get the manual form here, download it and search for "preglow"
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servic...owners_manuals

mtrevelino

I do not know what year your husbands Chevy truck is, but with today's diesels, the pre glow is only approximately five seconds, most likely less. I have never seen my 2006 go past five seconds.
I assume that on the keyless start systems, when you hit the brake pedal and the start button it will go into the pre glow stage before the motor starts. This is what I assume aeggroup is saying. Once the vehicle is warm, again I assume that you just hit the start button and the GL will start normally without the pre glow.
I heard rumors that the new VW's have no pre glow, they just start normally.
Mike T.

S350blue

I will be the new owner of a 2012 S350 which has the same V6 diesel as found in the '13 & '14 GL350 BlueTec. I would like feedback from the community on how owners of this engine like its fuel economy, performance, oil usage, etc. as I will be driving over 1000 miles with this engine that probably isn't broken in yet. I've owned '77 240D, '83 300 TD, & '91 350SD, and they have all used about one quart of oil per 1000 miles. I will use Amsoil European Formula 5W-40 AFL synthetic motor oil which meets the required MB229.51/229.31 specification as I know it is slightly better than Mobil 1 which is what dealerships use.

aeggroup

I would use Mobil recommended oil. If god forbid something happens with your engine - the wrong oil can be excuse for a dealer to deny warranty repair.
Other than that - this is great engine and even better when on S350. Friend of mine drove to Florida and got 37MPG average.

cookstar

2012 Diesel is different than 2013+ model years. the only thing that is the same is the displacement at 3000cc

S350blue

You would be correct about diesel engine being less horsepower and torque if I had been speaking of a GL350 BlueTec in which the 2012 model has 210 hp and 400 ft lb of torque. The '13 & '14 GL350 do have the upgraded 3.0 V6 with 240 hp & 455 pounds of torque. I wouldn't even want the '12 S350 if it had the same engine as the 2012 GL350. Don't just take my word for it as you can download the owners manual or sales brochure for 2012 S Class.

S350blue

Additionally, the 2013 is much the same as 2012 S350 where the later year came standard with the P02 Premium Package which was a $3,630 option on the '12 model year. If and when the 2014 S350 BlueTec is available here or in Europe, it will have 258 Hp with a torque figure I haven't been able to find. GL class doesn't depreciate as much in first year as the S class which is good for you as an owner of a '13 GL350.

cookstar

yes the 2014 v6 gasoline engine is a carryover, not that great at 268 hp, should be minimum 320 hp