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Critical Mercedes Sprinter Breaking-In and Maintenance Information
Mercedes WILL NOT tell you the proper break-in needs, namely oil requirements, due to the heavy hammer of EPA regulations. To wit, Mobil 1 will NOT allow proper engine break-in. The 2018 engine is the same as 2017, etc so the same things apply.
Mercedes Sprinter Maintenance: Breaking-In Notes
Mercedes recommends Mobil 1 5W-30 oil. Why, when it is a terrible oil for break-in, has an outrageously high NOACK value, high ash content, handles soot poorly, is low in zinc, etc? Because the EPA holds a sledgehammer and looks at tiny factors. Later, the engine is damaged and pollutes a lot more, but why worry.
Mercedes Sprinter Maintenance: Engine Oil
This page quotes and discusses the 2018 Mercedes Sprinter Operator Manual, translating Mercedes-speak into English. The 2018 operator manual is better than prior years in implicitly acknowledging serious risks of engine damage, but it is so circuitous and evasive that it needs translation.
Hasselblad H6D-100C + Hasselblad HC 50mm f/3.5 II @ 33mm equiv (50mm)
ENV: Saddlebag Lake pullout, altitude 9990 ft / 3045 m, 45°F / 7°C
RAW: diffraction mitigating sharpening
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NIKON D850 + Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon
ENV: Lundy Canyon camp, altitude 7000 ft / 2134 m, 26°F / -3°C
cold snow, high winds, selfie
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NIKON D850 + Zeiss Milvus 15mm f/2.8
ENV: White Mountain Road, altitude 8000 ft / 2438 m, 28°F / -2°C
RAW: LACA corrected, USM {8,50,0}
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Hasselblad H6D-100C + Hasselblad HC 50mm f/3.5 II @ 33mm equiv (50mm)
ENV: White Mountain Road, altitude 10500 ft / 3200 m, 24°F / -4°C
selfie, end of day, just saw the resident black horse
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PENTAX K-1 Mark II + Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW
ENV: Grandview Campground, altitude 8530 ft / 2600 m, 30°F / -1°C
RAW: LACA corrected, diffraction mitigating sharpening
4WD working great with K02 tires, selfie
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Hasselblad H6D-100C + Hasselblad HC 50mm f/3.5 II @ 33mm equiv (50mm)
ENV: Lundy Canyon, altitude 8100 ft / 2469 m, 50°F / 10°C
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