Break-In Period Driving Habits

[puckshaw]

Things I’ve learned in this thread:

- The break in process is there for a reason

- The break in process is bullshit

Break in strategies to optimize oil consumption and longevity of the engine:

- Baby the car for 1200 miles and keep it under 4500 rpm

also

- Break in the car a 1/4 mile at a time, and drive home from the track like you stole it

Great read

Bingo. Not sure why everyone acts like this is so complicated.

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[kaj]

"I'm sure I know more than the manufacturer, so I drag raced it the whole way home from the dealership. I'm now at 250 miles of "sending it". The car doesn't eat any oil, so must be fine.'

 

[GoldenEye]

I think I already posted on this thread, but I was doing donuts and drifting every corner on the way home from my dealership, lol…

 

[Uwatm8]

I didn’t quite beat on my car but I didn’t baby it either.

 

[kaj]

I waited until 1900mi then did this. I think manufacturers assume you're going to daily drive the vehicle and rack up the miles reasonably quick.

 

[FLtrackdays]

Things I’ve learned in this thread:

- The break in process is there for a reason

- The break in process is bullshit

Break in strategies to optimize oil consumption and longevity of the engine:

- Baby the car for 1200 miles and keep it under 4500 rpm

also

- Break in the car a 1/4 mile at a time, and drive home from the track like you stole it

Great read

So true! Can do this on about any thread… The human body is the same way. There is no one size that fits all. Hence an open mind and grain of salt approach is usually a great place to start, imo.

Played an iOS game for a while and learned about Discord. Perfect name for the gaming chat app ? Everyone had an opinion and everyone was right! Hahaha

 

[FLtrackdays]

I waited until 1900mi then did this. I think manufacturers assume you're going to daily drive the vehicle and rack up the miles reasonably quick.

Dude…. I LOVE that pic!!!! Want to drive that corkscrew soooooooo bad ?

 

[zrk]

Things I’ve learned in this thread:

- The break in process is there for a reason

- The break in process is bullshit

Break in strategies to optimize oil consumption and longevity of the engine:

- Baby the car for 1200 miles and keep it under 4500 rpm

also

- Break in the car a 1/4 mile at a time, and drive home from the track like you stole it

Great read

Exactly

 

[6SPDA91]

Quick follow up: thinking about using my MT Supra to go to work 60 miles away in each direction. Highway use is unavoidable to get there but what I figure I can do is go -10 speed limit to speed limit and let it engine brake down while never maintaining the same speed...but I imagine the load at highway speeds could be less variable (no idea there but just a guess). Should I be avoiding that type of driving where I'd be stuck in the 2,000 to 4,000 rpm range and speeds of 55-70mph for 15+ minutes even if I can speed up and slow down frequently in that range of speeds?

Probably thinking a bit too much about this after reading responses here.

You should be fine taking it to work. Ideal, not really... doable, absolutely. Unlike the AT folks, the MT folks (myself included) are breaking in a clutch as well.

Clutch break-ins are usually about 1000 miles anyway, with usually the same sort of restrictions. That being said, you can offset this on the highway by shifting at random points (rev match or use the auto rev match) and stay between your 4500 threshold. Now, clutches tend to break-in better from dead stop engagement, but the change in gear will help.

If you're doing more highway miles, you can always give yourself another 150 - 250 miles if that'll give you more peace of mind.

I've broken in my fair share of vehicles and clutches.

 

[6SPDA91]

I personally had about 11 miles on mine when I got it. Followed my break-in period to 1200 miles because
1. Why would I think I know more than the OEM who built, designed and tested the components of a highly sophisticated system
2. Have a MT so I was breaking in the clutch too

My personal take is to just file follow the break-in procedure. At a minimum you'll be able to spot an issue (hopefully) and have it addressed before it becomes a catastrophic failure.

For instance, my sales guy told me he sold a carry to someone who was flooring it off the lot after they bought it. A week later brought the car in for, you guessed it, engine problems. Are the 2 related, no clue, but the correlation does have the potential of existing.

My take, especially on expensive purchases like cars, is why not give yourself the best chance to have the item you've worked so hard for last as long as possible?

Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. This is just my opinion.

 

[kaj]

Dude…. I LOVE that pic!!!! Want to drive that corkscrew soooooooo bad ?

If you go, I have one bit of advice: Aim for the middle tree. ?

 

[razorlab]

Last three cars I bought new, I had flashed their ECU's in the dealer parking lot right after signing the papers, and drove home like I was on a race track.

Cars are meant to be driven. These also aren't our fathers cars.

 

[JST]

I followed the recommended break in instructions...for the most part. Last week, I finally took it out for a longish-spirited drive with a cool group of people.

 

[Quinn]

Completed a break in(1200 mi) oil change on the A91 today and noticed it appeared oil pan nut had been leaking. I also only pulled about 6 QTs out of the engine. Also noticed a sheen in some of the oil in the filter housing when changing filter. Sending a sample to Blackstone. Woohoo…

 

[Highhorse]

Things I’ve learned in this thread:

- The break in process is there for a reason

- The break in process is bullshit

Break in strategies to optimize oil consumption and longevity of the engine:

- Baby the car for 1200 miles and keep it under 4500 rpm

also

- Break in the car a 1/4 mile at a time, and drive home from the track like you stole it

Great read

You forgot this one: Don’t buy a used performance car, because there’s a high likelihood that some original owner-clown rationalized the break-in period as bullshit in a futile effort to mask his immaturity and lack of self control.

And this one: Manufacturers create pointless, bullshit break-in periods in a futile effort to mask the fact that their engines are so awesomely bulletproof.

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