How strict did you adhere to the 1,200 mile break in period??

giantdefy

I was reading the brochure on the GTR, and it says that they do a engine break-in running the motor for 1 hour to include a continuous 10 minute run at redline before the customer gets the car. This contradicts what their manual says to do with the 370Z. I know they are different cars, but shouldnt all break-ins be done the same?
Ive heard of folks saying that the reason they dont want you to run the car too hard during the 1st 1000 miles or so, is because if anything were to go wrong with the car, it would be in those 1st 1000 miles. And if your running hard and fast, you could get into an accident if any part failed, this would mean a law suit against Nissan.
I do know that your supposed to vary your speed frequently in order to put a load on the cylinder walls so that it breaks-in properly. Holding at one speed for too long creates hot spots in one area and the cylinder wall dont get broken-in properly causing oil consumption and bad compression. I believe the owners manual states not to keep the car at a constant speed during break-in.

370Zsteve

This is from the GT-R Owner's Manual. Once again, those who designed, built and tested the engine recommend a strict and conservative break-in period, though this one differs from the 370Z after 600 miles. Disagreeing with the engine designer is a rather fruitless exercise, imo.

BREAK-IN SCHEDULE

NOTICE
Follow these recommendations to obtain maximum engine performance and ensure the future reliability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow these recommendations may result in shortened engine life and reduced engine performance.

Please observe the following types of driving until the mileage shown below has been reached.

Until 300 miles (500 km):
. Do not depress the accelerator pedal more
than halfway and avoid rapid acceleration.
. Drive with the engine speed kept at less
than 3,500 RPM.

300 to 600 miles (500 to 1,000 km)
. Avoid rapid acceleration in a low gear (1st to
3rd gears) with the accelerator pedal fully
depressed. Depress the pedal slowly.

600 to 1,200 miles (1,000 to 2,000 km)
. Drive with the engine speed kept relatively
high. Shifting is recommended between 1st
and 4th gears.

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

spearfish25

LOL! As opposed to NOT shifting between 1st and 4th gears?

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

370Zsteve

Engrish!

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

Modshack

Urban myth...Where does this stuff come from?

Ah yes...The intraweb..

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nuTinmuch

You're going to get different opinions on both sides of the fence. I wouldn't call anyone immature or an idiot for being on either side of that fence either. Some legitimately think that driving your car hard is the best way to break it in, others think that babying it is the best.

Your best bet would be to drive it somewhere in between. Drive responsibly like normal but if you do get into the gas don't panic and freak out about how your engine is going to fail.

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nuTinmuch! -- Platinum Graphite 370Z -- Check out my Gallery thread here!