I am looking for any advice on

1. how to properly care for the car and prolong the life and performance of the engine. What are the most critical services/maintenance items?

2. Is there anything I can do to extend the life and efficiency of the DPF besides avoiding short trips? Regarding engine and emissions system health, how important is it to avoid short trips in this car?

3. Would you suggest increasing the width or diameter of the rear wheels (all four are 16") ?

4. From what I can tell, I don't believe my car requires adblue.

Re: 1 - that E320 with a diesel 6 cylinder is a solid machine. I had the same engine in my '09 ML-320 Bluetec and other than having regular oil changes, air and fuel filter changes when due, and having the AEP recall completed, I had nothing else to worry about. I had mine over 4 years and put about 90,000 miles on it during that time. I had a good mix of long and short trips.

Re: 2 - I've no experience here - I never had a DPF problem to deal with and I suspect any problems might be a symptom of other deferred work that should have been done.

Re: 3 - I increased tire size by one simply because I could and I occasionally drove on unimproved surfaces. As long as you don't go too extreme and the tires don't impact any body or suspension parts, you're probably okay. However, it will throw off the speedometer a few mph.

Re: 4 - You definitely require Diesel Exhaust Fluid (AdBlue, BlueDEF, etc). The tank should be under the trunk floor, probably where the spare tire normally lives. BTW, you probably don't have a spare tire to get a patch kit and 12v compressor to carry with you.

 

I appreciate the reply! I also thought I needed DEF but the manual says otherwise, although the "engine 642" on the second photo confuses me why E-class wouldn't be included. Regardless, I have confirmed that my vehicle does not require any DEF. Also it did come with a spare tire! I think I will increase the rear tires a size.

 

Yeah, the "blue" in Bluetec comes from "Adblue". (Or something like that...)

I suggest you do 5,000 mile oil changes and use synthetic oil. If you can find an oil that meets the MB spec for your year and also carries a CK-4 rating, that's a good bet. The newer spec oils are light on the older Diesel qualities.

 

Earlier bluetec models did not require a DEF though, I think pre-2009. My car is a 2009 but was manufactured in 2008. I don't know why the manual would explicitly leave e320 off the 'requires adblue' list unless that model actually does not require it. I replied with photos of the manual to someone else's reply.

 

Ditto on early Bluetecs not having DEF, or AddBlue.
OM642 was in production for 25 years, what should give you some indication of its value.
Don't recall any other MB engine being in production for much over 10 years, when most are 6.
It is not DIY friendly engine due to hard access, especially on sedans with smaller engine bay, but lovely performer otherwise.
The famous oil cooler orings, who with couple of dollars cost generate couple thousands labor cost are the only really annoying part.
Still OM651 engine, with just few HP less, delivers 30% better fuel economy.
Make sure you use only the best category oils on it and enjoy the drive

 

Thank you!

 

Ah! So, maybe the "blue" in Adblue comes from Bluetec!!

 

I think it was only US export models, where first 'bluetec' were without adblue, in Europe they had it from beginning.

Keep that lump, fact that you don't have that hellish invention in your car, makes it one big money pit and trouble source less.

 

And know your battery. Diesels need lots of juice in the winter.

 

So what does Bluetec mean without Adblue then? I'm confused.

 

Hello. BlueTEC is marketing term by MB Corporate for vehicles with NOx/SCR/DPF pollutant reducing technologies. If I had to guess, I'd say 'blue' is for the color of fuel and 'tec' is short for technology. Someone was having a day when they had to come up with some lingo for the diesels. My 2cents. GL.

 

MB is also having "BlueEfficency" cars, who are gasoline (?)
Bluetec is marketing name, who doesn't have to relate to anything.
BlueTEC - Wikipedia

 

Thanks. Really useful info.