Accelerating Hybrid Break-in with Mode Selection

[themartymac]

Hey All,

Just thinking out loud here, but after reading some of the comments on break-in and watching recent videos (linked one below) about how the Hybrids get noticeably better mileage with a few thousand miles on them:



Has anyone tried or tested accelerating that break-in by using sport mode more often? Other methods to trigger the ICE? If it's just a matter of engine hours, that seems to be a logical idea...

And when breaking in a traditional engine, crossing the entire rev range is often a very important part of the process. Does that help in any way with an Atkinson Engine?

I put very few miles on my truck so I've been going out of the way to add miles during these first couple of months, primarily to ensure there are no significant assembly-related warranty issues that are going to pop up. I'm only just now over 1000Kms, and I've played with a bit of hyper-mileing and using eco mode to learn the nuances of the hybrid system. Now just wondering if I would be well served with a bit of extra time in the ICE mode. Don't expect to save cash or gas, just want to get to steady-state as efficiently as possible.

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[Ohio44890]

I’ll be learning that stuff myself coming soon

 

[HeyBales]

Sport mode has been used by at least 1 poster I recall, to get thru that initial 1000 miles with it being ICE usage, so a break in oil change was really about 1000 miles on engine.
Whereas I just went to 1800 miles, and for my logging, it was about 1000 on ICE.
Sport mode is like auto-start/stop enabled.

You will get an RPM range getting on highway and taking off from stops in Normal mode too.
Really - how wide is the RPM range in a 7spd tranny anyway?
Sport mode will give the same slight RPM range with simulate shifts.
But I've not seen that RPM range any different than what Normal would do as more or less power is needed.

 

[HeyBales]

Also - you have a 26MY - you know exactly when you reach 1000 engine miles.
Well - you have to subtract.

Enable Power Meter if not yet - it'll show when RPM's are going high on calls for high power.
That's when it happens. Just do that from time to time.

Hate for you to miss out on good MPG during the warmer months in Sport mode, when Normal will get you there too.

 

[Ohio44890]

Hybrids should get service at 1,000 engine miles?

 

[themartymac]

Hybrids should get service at 1,000 engine miles?

Ford doesn't actually require or even formally recommend it. It's just traditional practice when breaking in a new engine if you want to really maximize the life. The vast majority of wear and particulate are created in those first 1000miles.

Personally, after a quick break-in change, I have always tended to invest in quality synthetics and then really stretch my oil change intervals to the absolute maximum mileage. My last three trucks (1992 Bronco/2004 F150/2009 Explorer) were all sold off at well over 300,000 Kms (~200K Miles), and never had an internal engine issue. Even the F150 5.4l that 'should' have experienced cam phaser issues saw 325K at sale with absolutely no issues, or internal maintenance required in my 14 years of ownership. YMMV!

 

[Ohio44890]

Ford doesn't actually require or even formally recommend it. It's just traditional practice when breaking in a new engine if you want to really maximize the life. The vast majority of wear and particulate are created in those first 1000miles.

Personally, after a quick break-in change, I have always tended to invest in quality synthetics and then really stretch my oil change intervals to the absolute maximum mileage. My last three trucks (1992 Bronco/2004 F150/2009 Explorer) were all sold off at well over 300,000 Kms (~200K Miles), and never had an internal engine issue. Even the F150 5.4l that 'should' have experienced cam phaser issues saw 325K at sale with absolutely no issues, or internal maintenance required in my 14 years of ownership. YMMV!

That is awesome!!!!

1,000 Mike break in sounds good

I did my eco at around 2,700

 

[grandpopa'sMPGs]

I was told by the dealer that I didn't need to break it in or change the oil. I drove the truck never exceeding 20% throttle for the first 2000 miles. A33400 miles I have never surpassed 40%. The transmissions gears have to be work hardened slowly too.

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