Break In Period?

GT-R man

he might be kidding but have you seen the kind of questions people as around here... there is a sligh possibility that someone would just do that to their car...

JoeyD

I think we can all agree that inferences can be made from the VQ35DE and HR about the 3.7. That being said I remember an article in a reputable magazine (don't remember which one it was a long time ago). The article tracked two 2004 350Zs they were both dynoed within 500 miles of new with comparable results. After 20K of driving and opposite break ins the one that was constantly beat up dynoed almost 20HP higher than the one that had been babied.

I can say that at 22K miles my 350 pulled harder then it did that day I got it. I subscribe to the theory that a 500 mile break in with varrying revs and only moderate acceleration is a good thing. But when 500 miles ticks over I check the oil for contamination and excess metal. If nothing is out of the ordinary my next drive we be like I stole it and so will every drive after that.

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When was the last time you did 230MPH in something with 4 seats?

Slow*Jim

If anyone could track down this article I would love to read it!

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"Racing is life... everything before and after is just waiting."
-Steve McQueen

BlueR32

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

this method would definitely be considered aggressive. please note that it does not involve redlining the car or being harsh. just accelerate aggressively and engine brake.

to me, what is mandatory is 1: varying speed/revs during break in, 2: not putting in synthetic too early in the car's life, 3: warming up the car before driving hard.

after that, who knows what makes a difference?

Chan Chee Hoe

Just hit 5000 rpm,for 5 secs during overtaking,hopes won't hurt my 500 miles engine.....

AK370Z

It's fine! I wouldn't worry about it. I remember flooring it around 600 miles when this guy behind me was "literally" riding my bumper!

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Chan Chee Hoe

thanks pal..

Phimosis

If your car had 10-15 miles on it when you got it, it has already seen the redline at full throttle from someone joyriding it on a test drive before you bought it. I know I did it a couple of times to know how much power it made and if it was enough performance.

GT-R man

break in periods are not there so your car can produce higher RPMs break in are for making your car last longer.. yes engines that are abused from day one will have a tendency to put out more power due to the computer systems in the car such as VVT system will learn the way the owner drives and when it comes testing time it will replicate the way the driver uses the car. If someone babies that car the computer will do the same on the test because it is used to using less power and making better MPG... does this sound logical to anyone? I would hope so

JoeyD

Higher RPMs? I'm pretty sure that regardless of how your cars computer learns your driving style when you push the pedal all the way down the same thing happens. I won't go in to open loop vs. closed loop because I don't know where the ECM makes the switch on this car. But, in your car that has been babbied carbon deposits are EVERYWHERE (robbing power and economy). Higer revs means more, faster air moving through the engine. This keeps things cleaner and working better. Maybe the cummulative load of driving like you stole it over say 100K miles might weaken something like a connecting rod or valve spring but probably not to the point of failure.

Anyway the reason that engines that have been driven hard make more power at WOT (there is only one WOT setting regardless of if you drive like grandma) is because the motor is clean(er).

Studdies have proven that the ideal engine RPM for longevity is 1500. So if longevity is all you care about enjoy driving your new 40K sports car like a lawnmower.

That being said it won't hurt anything to obey the published break in procedure. It will give you peace of mind and a chance to learn your new car. If you shorten it up a bit it's at your own risk but odds are it won't hurt anything.

I remember reading horror storries about Evo's not breaking in properly and leaking constantly. But I never came accross anything like that on a VQ.

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When was the last time you did 230MPH in something with 4 seats?

WShade

As a prior Mitsubishi owner, they leak as a brand due to improper engineering

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Q50S
Q60 RS400

bboypuertoroc

Yeah not quite. I have not one leak and I beat the **** out of my Evo.

On topic, your engine is broken in the first time it warms up. The only reason you should be easy on the car when it's brand new is because the clutch needs to be broken in.

I beat the piss out of my Evo on it's maiden voyage (test drive with 2.3 miles on the clock)... had it up to 150mph and launched it four times. The only issue I've had with the car in 42,000 miles is that I smoked my stock clutch at 8,000 miles due to a bad launch.

Don't be scared to run it like you plan to during the so-called break-in period. Just be mindful of your clutch.

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zero

I didn't know ECU has the AI capability.

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arcticreaver

my co-worker who is like a walking car dictionary told me what i should do -

have a light right foot.

don't go over 65mph on the highway

slow start and throttle

don't go over 3,000rpm

change oil after first 1000 miles

that's about it.

par4bmw

No way would I baby it that much. I would go absolutely nuts for that much driving that easily.

I fall in the in between camp. I try not to rape it, but do not follow the published rpm to the number. Knock on wood, have always been blessed with a well running engine.