Break In Opinions

[HazTech]

So I've read the manual about break in and it basically states not to drive fast or tow for the first 1k miles.

I'll be flying out in a couple weeks to get mine and driving it back ~ 700 miles or so. Any opinions on how to best do this? Obviously don't keep it at highway speeds for prolonged periods of time but outside of that not sure if there's anything else I should do.

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[Lappo424]

Take back roads and some highway

 

[2517X]

Before I retired I'd get a new company car every 60K miles, which worked out to be about every year and a half. All I ever did was just drive it the way I was driving the one I turned in. Never had any issues or engine problems. Did have the drive shaft fall out of a Chrysler Cordova, and then there was all the tire problems, but nothing caused by a poor break in.

 

[icegradner]

Before I retired I'd get a new company car every 60K miles, which worked out to be about every year and a half. All I ever did was just drive it the way I was driving the one I turned in. Never had any issues or engine problems. Did have the drive shaft fall out of a Chrysler Cordova, and then their was all the tire problems, but nothing caused by a poor break in.

Improper break in usually doesn't show up until the vehicle is over 100-150k miles when the vehicle will start to eat oil.

 

[Brian_J]

So I've read the manual about break in and it basically states not to drive fast or tow for the first 1k miles.

I'll be flying out in a couple weeks to get mine and driving it back ~ 700 miles or so. Any opinions on how to best do this? Obviously don't keep it at highway speeds for prolonged periods of time but outside of that not sure if there's anything else I should do.

I flew out to buy mine. 410 miles drive home.
I took surface streets for the first 90 miles, then I hit the highway and tried to vary my speed a bit from time to time.

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

So I've read the manual about break in and it basically states not to drive fast or tow for the first 1k miles.

I'll be flying out in a couple weeks to get mine and driving it back ~ 700 miles or so. Any opinions on how to best do this? Obviously don't keep it at highway speeds for prolonged periods of time but outside of that not sure if there's anything else I should do.

Eco mode and under 70. It should hit electric and some engine. Alternate between eco and sport. Try a scenic route.

 

[HazTech]

All good advice here, thank you! Probably do the alternate route on the way back. Headed from west pa to east Tennessee so lots of scenic options!

I was wrong on the mileage. It's closer to 500 but still

 

[maverick4natic]

So I've read the manual about break in and it basically states not to drive fast or tow for the first 1k miles.

I'll be flying out in a couple weeks to get mine and driving it back ~ 700 miles or so. Any opinions on how to best do this? Obviously don't keep it at highway speeds for prolonged periods of time but outside of that not sure if there's anything else I should do.

I’ve always seen just vary the revs if freeway driving. So no cruise control. I don’t think you need to go overboard but the variation in your foot should be enough.

 

[Brian_J]

All good advice here, thank you! Probably do the alternate route on the way back. Headed from west pa to east Tennessee so lots of scenic options!

I was wrong on the mileage. It's closer to 500 but still

I would have done A LOT to be able to drive through eastern tn on my way home.

 

[HazTech]

I would have done A LOT to be able to drive through eastern tn on my way home.

Definitely beautiful country out here. Absolutely love it

 

[Brian_J]

Definitely beautiful country out here. Absolutely love it

I’ve been to the dragon several times. This past fall we took the bikes to Tellico plains. Rented a house as home base. Spent time riding in tn, ga, & nc. The new part of the foothills parkway was nice!

 

[HazTech]

I’ve been to the dragon several times. This past fall we took the bikes to Tellico plains. Rented a house as home base. Spent time riding in tn, ga, & nc. The new part of the foothills parkway was nice!

That's awesome! We just moved here this past summer and have spent some time up on the foothills parkway. It would be awesome to take a topless/doorless bronco up there and just cruise

 

[kw86er]

Engine break-in is a topic that is shrouded in voodoo and myth. With every technique from "baby it" to "drive it like you stoll it"

It has been covered on this forum.

In short most would agree, with a new car you can just drive it as you would normally.

The manufacturer is less concerned about you breaking in the motor than they are you taking it easy while you get used to your new car. Lawyers are more behind the language than the engineers. But even engineers will have reasons for different procedures.

I never use Synthetic for the first couple oil changes and I try not to keep the revs too constant especially low reving on long straight stretches. But that is only because I have my own voodoo from motorcycle engine building. When you build it yourself you tend to overthink it.

You should just drive your car, when you feel comfortable driving it, it's ok to punch it a bit and see what she's got under the hood.

 

[icegradner]

The manufacturer is less concerned about you breaking in the motor than they are you taking it easy while you get used to your new car. Lawyers are more behind the language than the engineers. But even engineers will have reasons for different procedures.

Anyone who is involved in racing will tell you that break in is real, not a myth. Engineers too as well. If anything the manufactures would love if people wrecked the engines, they'd make more money that way, selling more new cars.

 

[kw86er]

Anyone who is involved in racing will tell you that break in is real, not a myth. Engineers too as well. If anything the manufactures would love if people wrecked the engines, they'd make more money that way, selling more new cars.

Most racing engines are built, pushed to their limits and rebuilt before they see any of the kind of break in periods people talk about for consumer vehicles.

I didn't say that break-in is a myth. I said there are a lot of myths surrounding it.

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