M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

Breaking in new 2012 ML350 Bluetec

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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 01:42 PM
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cobalt210's Avatar
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2012 ML 350 BT, 2016 E400 Coupe (preping to order soon)
Breaking in new 2012 ML350 Bluetec

Based on the current build date for my car, I anticipate receiving it just in time to leave for an 800 mi. round trip excursion to the Deleware coast (from Boston). Lots of highway driving, mostly at a fairly steady pace - until I hit NYC of course. Reading the break in procedures in the manual this trip may not be the optimal way to start the life of a new engine. I'd appreciate any thoughts or experiences you've had on the topic of Bluetec break in.

Flights are cheap. Certainly well worth the cost of sparing an engine I hope to see run for 200K miles.
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 02:32 PM
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YYZ-E55's Avatar
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From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Vary the revs and don't use the cruise control. The truck will be fine.
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 02:36 PM
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MinnBobber's Avatar
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From: St. Paul, MN
2013 E350 Wagon, prev 2005 ML 500 SE
new motor

HI,
IMO, the most important thing for a new motor is to vary the RPM and not cruise at a constant RPM.
Can you drive at off-peak hours where you won't hold up traffic (and p^ss off drivers) and be able to drive at 65/55/70/60/75/50 mph? If you can adjust your schedule and vary your speed, this could be a great trip for break-in.
If you must drive with traffic flow and cruise a steady speed, then it might be better to not take the new M.

Enjoy the new M
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 03:49 PM
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2012MLBlue's Avatar
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From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
Years ago I picked up a brand new Ford Explorer the day before driving 2 days across the US out to Colorado. It was awesome and I never had a problem. Just really vary the speeds and take lots of breaks.
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 09:47 PM
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From: Northern NJ
vw touareg, porsche c2s cab
just drive it it will be fine dont down shift or exceed 4 k rpms and just vary the speed and rpms have fun i stressed over it on my first Porsche to the point that I didnt enjoy it
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 11:34 PM
  #6  
dougiebear's Avatar
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From: Near Niagara Falls, Canada
2013 ML BLUETEC JULY 31
Originally Posted by YYZ-E55
Vary the revs and don't use the cruise control. The truck will be fine.
All agree cool thanks YYZed
FYI Gang, having been in an Ontario assembly plant it would scare you how assemby ends.
Every vehicle MUST hit the rev limiter then back down to 0rpm or it don't leave the plant. UR brand new motor had the **** oops run out of it before you got it :o)
Enjoy and play around a bit on a warm engine lucky guy.
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Old Mar 30, 2012 | 12:05 AM
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2012 ML 350 BT, 2016 E400 Coupe (preping to order soon)
Thanks, all of you, for you ideas. It would have been pretty tough to leave my first ever new MB in the garage with such a driveable trip in front of me - particularly after awaiting delivery for two months.
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Old Mar 30, 2012 | 03:28 PM
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venchka's Avatar
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
Have fun!
I bought a new Trooper II on a Saturday in Louisiana. The following weekend I had the oil changed at Old Faithful in Yellowstone. The next weekend I had the oil changed back in New Orleans. 15 years later I gave the old Trooper to my daughter. It always ran fine. No cruise control during that 5,000 mile first two weeks. No cruise control at all. That varies the RPMs.
If I were you, I would head more west firat. Go around NYC. Cross the Hudson on the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge at Fishkill, NY. Then angle south. I did that one afternoon between 2pm & 6pm. Cruised at 65+ from NJ to NH. NYC is for the natives. The reat of us can go around.

Wayne
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Old Mar 30, 2012 | 08:43 PM
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300D Turbo 1984
Originally Posted by cobalt210
Based on the current build date for my car, I anticipate receiving it just in time to leave for an 800 mi. round trip excursion to the Deleware coast (from Boston). Lots of highway driving, mostly at a fairly steady pace - until I hit NYC of course. Reading the break in procedures in the manual this trip may not be the optimal way to start the life of a new engine. I'd appreciate any thoughts or experiences you've had on the topic of Bluetec break in.

Flights are cheap. Certainly well worth the cost of sparing an engine I hope to see run for 200K miles.

Got 296K miles on the 300D still running strong , drove it from Chicago to Cali within the first week. ENJOY the vehicle. Life is finite. Your engine will be fine.
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