Hi,
I love my new Mercedes 83 turbo diesel...I'm a little wary of getting on the freeway.
A friend of mine (she is married to a guy who works only on Mercedes)...she said if you pop it into 2nd (I guess this means "L" or "S"), it gives it a little boost when you are excellerating....Anyone else do this?....Any tips?
I bought this car because I wanted to feel safe on the freeway, and now I don't want to worry about getting on.....maybe I just have to get used to it?
Thanks
LindaJane

I think it's just a matter of getting used to it. These things won't snap your neck taking off from a stop. But it should pull onto the freeway ok. Once the revs are up, it should accelerate just fine. Maybe the trannie isn't kicking down like it should when you step on it.

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Lindajane,

You have to put the pedal to the metal and the transmission should shift to next lower gear. If it doesn't, something is wrong and should be fixed. In the meantime, downshift the shift lever to S or L as required.

Don't be afraid of overrevving a Diesel engine. You can't do it as the injection pump has a built in governor that will only supply enough fuel to run the engine within the red line engine speed.

I drive a 300SD all the time and I have no trouble getting on freeways.

P E H

P.E. is right. Don't be afraid to push the pedal down!

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

In fact push it until you feel the click of the transmission kickdown switch.

If you're talking about those uphill freeway merges in San Francisco, your 300D is at a distinct disadvantage over just about any newer car. I imagine it's no less peppy than a 71 (was it?) VW if that's your basis of comparison.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

You need to make a comparison with another 617 turbodiesel. The banjo bolt and hose could be plugged up, hindering the proper introduction of fuel and limiting the acceleration.
At a mile high, my 85td is downright peppy over 2200rpm's. It seems like it has 2 engines compared to the non-turbo version.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

And at 2 miles high you can out run everything on the road like I did near Vail CO.

P E H