First 1000 miles or 1500km... ?
#1
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First 1000 miles or 1500km... ?
How much overall impact does this have on SUV's life?
Manual: "The more you look after the engine when it is new, the more satisfied you will be with its performance in the future.
• You should therefore drive at varying vehicle and engine speeds for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle, during this period.
• Change gear in good time, before the tachometer needle is Ô of the way to the red area of the tachometer.
• Do not manually shift to a lower gear to brake the vehicle.
• If possible, do not depress the accelerator pedal past the point of resistance (kickdown).
• Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can increase the engine speed gradually and accelerate the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG vehicles:
• Do not drive faster than 85 mph (140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Only allow the engine to reach a maximum engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
• Change gear in good time.
• Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), drive in program C.
You should also observe these notes on breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive train on your vehicle have been replaced.
"
Manual: "The more you look after the engine when it is new, the more satisfied you will be with its performance in the future.
• You should therefore drive at varying vehicle and engine speeds for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle, during this period.
• Change gear in good time, before the tachometer needle is Ô of the way to the red area of the tachometer.
• Do not manually shift to a lower gear to brake the vehicle.
• If possible, do not depress the accelerator pedal past the point of resistance (kickdown).
• Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can increase the engine speed gradually and accelerate the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG vehicles:
• Do not drive faster than 85 mph (140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Only allow the engine to reach a maximum engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
• Change gear in good time.
• Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), drive in program C.
You should also observe these notes on breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive train on your vehicle have been replaced.
"
#3
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#4
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Understand now, doesn't matter as much as it used to with todays tolerances. 1000 miles isn't that long and if nothing else gives time for brakes to bed in.
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2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
I’m no expert but these break-in periods vary by Manufacturer. Logically the first few hundred miles are more important than the last few hundred. Towing would be the most important thing to avoid during break-in. This is probably One of the most controversial subjects on cars so there will be lots of opinions. Lots of people just drive and don’t worry about it but at the price of cars today why not follow the recommendation? The Manufacturer would be in the best position to know since they do a lot of testing.
#6
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I’m no expert but these break-in periods vary by Manufacturer. Logically the first few hundred miles are more important than the last few hundred. Towing would be the most important thing to avoid during break-in. This is probably One of the most controversial subjects on cars so there will be lots of opinions. Lots of people just drive and don’t worry about it but at the price of cars today why not follow the recommendation? The Manufacturer would be in the best position to know since they do a lot of testing.
When driving on street or highway, I have to drive like a Grandma...LoL
I am not used to drive on slower lane, that also making sure RPM stays close to 2000 & soft breaks... as if I am carrying glass breakable vasks... so u can imagine... it's NOT fun driving.
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
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KJ (04-25-2020)
#7
Super Member
Agree, but here is my reason. Since its lockdown, so far in last week or so only hit 148 km out of the 1500 km.
When driving on street or highway, I have to drive like a Grandma...LoL
I am not used to drive on slower lane, that also making sure RPM stays close to 2000 & soft breaks... as if I am carrying glass breakable vasks... so u can imagine... it's NOT fun driving.![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
When driving on street or highway, I have to drive like a Grandma...LoL
I am not used to drive on slower lane, that also making sure RPM stays close to 2000 & soft breaks... as if I am carrying glass breakable vasks... so u can imagine... it's NOT fun driving.
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
No wide-open-throttle yet, but pretty close.
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jasy000 (04-25-2020)
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W213 Night Edition 220d. (ML250 SLK350AMG)
How much overall impact does this have on SUV's life?
Manual: "The more you look after the engine when it is new, the more satisfied you will be with its performance in the future.
• You should therefore drive at varying vehicle and engine speeds for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle, during this period.
• Change gear in good time, before the tachometer needle is Ô of the way to the red area of the tachometer.
• Do not manually shift to a lower gear to brake the vehicle.
• If possible, do not depress the accelerator pedal past the point of resistance (kickdown).
• Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can increase the engine speed gradually and accelerate the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG vehicles:
• Do not drive faster than 85 mph (140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Only allow the engine to reach a maximum engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
• Change gear in good time.
• Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), drive in program C.
You should also observe these notes on breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive train on your vehicle have been replaced.
"
Manual: "The more you look after the engine when it is new, the more satisfied you will be with its performance in the future.
• You should therefore drive at varying vehicle and engine speeds for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle, during this period.
• Change gear in good time, before the tachometer needle is Ô of the way to the red area of the tachometer.
• Do not manually shift to a lower gear to brake the vehicle.
• If possible, do not depress the accelerator pedal past the point of resistance (kickdown).
• Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can increase the engine speed gradually and accelerate the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG vehicles:
• Do not drive faster than 85 mph (140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km).
• Only allow the engine to reach a maximum engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
• Change gear in good time.
• Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), drive in program C.
You should also observe these notes on breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive train on your vehicle have been replaced.
"
Basically it is, keep it in Comfort Mode, don't kick down, don't red line it, and let it change gears naturally itself.
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2020 GLS580, 2020 Corvette Z51
I do this with every new Mercedes-Benz i have bought, and it's not difficult or onerous. I normally do it for the first 1,500-2000 km and i haven't had any engine issues.
Basically it is, keep it in Comfort Mode, don't kick down, don't red line it, and let it change gears naturally itself.
Basically it is, keep it in Comfort Mode, don't kick down, don't red line it, and let it change gears naturally itself.
The part I don't understand about Mercedes break in is that you keep the same oil for 20,000kms until its first recommended oil change. There is always some level of excess "wear" metal in a new engine and that is best to be removed after extended break in. I plan on a 5000 km oil and filter change for my new GLS.
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mickhoog (05-04-2020)
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2019 C300 Cabriolet, 2022 AMG GLE 53
Seems like yes, it's still a thing. My '22 GLE53 had a sticker from the factory on the windshield, still advising the owner to follow this 1k breakin process. It's easy for me to follow, only delays gratification a few weeks. 350 miles to go. We all get to decide our choice on following the mfg rec or not, at least in my case where the label spelled it out. I'll follow the breakin period but no way is the oil staying in for 10k intervals. Way too long for me. Everyone can choose their interval of course. All that Ymmv stuff.... ;-)
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2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
I agree with following the 1000 mile doctrine although it’s more important early than later. “Drive it like you stole it” isn’t in my vocabulary for an expensive car. It’s a minor inconvenience at most to follow the Manufacturer’s recommendation.
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
Another recommendation that few hear, or adhere to, has to do with warming up your car.
You want the engine to be at full operating temperature, so the parts wear in at the designed tolerances.
Which in essence means take the Long Way home every time, so the engine spends more time at temperature while breaking in.
Not only will this give you a better break in and longer life, but it hastens your arrival at the first thousand mile point.
You want the engine to be at full operating temperature, so the parts wear in at the designed tolerances.
Which in essence means take the Long Way home every time, so the engine spends more time at temperature while breaking in.
Not only will this give you a better break in and longer life, but it hastens your arrival at the first thousand mile point.
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
With the manufacturers' push to lease vehicles, which ensures a constant supply of used, I doubt that many people are paying attention to break in mileage, bleeding their brakes, or other things that they would do if they didn't consider their cars disposable.
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2019 C300 Cabriolet, 2022 AMG GLE 53
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