I just bought a 2009 F350 4x4 CC. It's located in Portland. I'm located in Anchorage. I'll be flying down to Portland the end of this month to take possession.

My wife and I will be driving the truck to Bend, OR and then up to Coeur D'Alene, ID to visit friends. We'll be avoiding interstates and encountering a few good grades up and over a couple of passes between Portland and Coeur D'Alene, so the first 550-650 miles this trip should be about what I've heard is beneficial for break-in.

My wife will be flying back to Alaska from Spokane and I'll be driving the truck solo on to Anchorage - about another 2500 or so miles with lots of varied terrain. I won't be hauling or towing during any of the trip.

From what I've read it appears that this trip should be the type of varied speed and with sufficient numbers of good grades occurring intermittently along the route to give the diesel some decent work and help with the break-in.

I'll likely be stopping along the way to do some hiking, take a few pictures, etc. but probably be averaging 12 hrs/day driving.

Anyone got suggestions about things I should specifically avoid doing or things I should be sure to do to assist in the break-in?

Thanks for any help.

 

Sounds like an ideal break in for the engine and transmission to me. Just watch the wide open throttle.

Make sure you have plenty of ULSD! I would be surprised if you could easily find it on your way up to home to Anchorage.

I'm jealous by the way, sounds like a fun drive.

 

that will work just fine.

 

This is the way a diesel likes to run. Just take plenty of breaks to pop the hood and check underneath for leaks, anything loose, etc. It is brand new and the factory doesn't always do everything just right. If you have a short bed with the 30 gal. tank I would watch the fuel mileage carefully. I carry 5 gals. of diesel with me in eastern Oregon, considering a aux. tank for trips. If you are driving I-5 south to Salem (50 miles) and then Hwy. 22/20 east to Bend you will go right past me. I can e-mail my Ph# to you, if you have any problem I would be glad to assist if I can. If you need any info on Hwy 97, Hwy 20 or Hwy 26 out of Bend let me know. Still have roadside snow in the pass from Salem to Bend but the road is clear. You are going to love this truck on the road. My 2008 rides and drives incredible compared to my 97 and 02.

 

Thanks for responses. It gives me more confidence that I won't do something wrong.

I'll be sure to be easy on the throttle - I'm in no hurry. I plan to enjoy the drive, enjoy the sights, enjoy the country, and want to do as much right with the truck as I can.

Great advice PSDx3. I'll be sure to look under the hood a few times. The one thing I've been a bit concerned about is some of the trouble folks seem to be having with these trucks. Some of it seems to show up fairly early and I'd prefer not to have to be searching for a dealership in Yukon Territory to get something fixed (the only one I know about is in Whitehorse and there's lots of Yukon Territory that is a long ways from Whitehorse). Plan to take some extra oil and cetane booster along with me.

I've got the 38 gal tank but it's a good idea to take some extra fuel along just in case. My experience in traveling through Alaska, Yukon, and BC is that there are a few stretches where the stations (and communities) are pretty far apart.

Good suggestion ruschejj. One thing I don't know about is availability of ULSD through Canadian provinces. Will have to do a little research. Maybe some of the Canadian members of the forum can give me the answer about ULSD availability.

Thanks again for feedback and good advice.