The infamous "break-in" period.

AARC51 · 04-08-2009, 07:36 PM

So is the break-in period a fact or a wives tale at this point and time? I tend to believe it's the latter given the fact that nearly every car has been test driven by someone who's continuously revved the engine beyond 4k. So what are the arguments for and against?

OnCallZ · 04-08-2009, 07:38 PM

A lot of "for" arguments out there. Here is my against argument; car is broken in by nissan before it even gets on the ship.

theDreamer · 04-08-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnCallZ

A lot of "for" arguments out there. Here is my against argument; car is broken in by nissan before it even gets on the ship.

How do you know that?

The usual argument I hear is that they test these engines from day one, with break in, they use the "break in" period just to cover themselves still.

OnCallZ · 04-08-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

How do you know that?

The usual argument I hear is that they test these engines from day one, with break in, they use the "break in" period just to cover themselves still.

Yup that's what I always thought they did, that's why I bought my Z even though I redlined it while test driving and it had 45 miles on it.

Isn't the common consensus to baby it until XXXX miles so the engine doesn't get scarred up by the metal fragments?

U-NVmyZ? · 04-08-2009, 08:06 PM

i agree, i heard that the engines are ready to be driven hard. my dad told me that years ago, he has bought many cars and the ones that he kept for a long time are still good/great.
+ its japanese....

john370z · 04-08-2009, 08:24 PM

I hope you are all right...what are the odds that people will not redline it within a thousand miles or so...oh yea..... you cannot drive it on the freeway for extended times. I must be going to "break in" he!!. I drove my car 35 miles and then redlined it to about 120 mph and then drove 1000 miles home on the freeway in the Z. I think it cannot do any harm to properly break in a car...maybe it is like obeying the speed limits. I did change to Mobile 1 full synthetic after 2500 miles to help lube the poorly broke in engine.

355890 · 04-08-2009, 09:23 PM

Everything needs to get seated properly, lubed up, time for new driver to get used to the new vehicle, it's a 1,000 miles ( how hard can that really be ) Don't answer, I know, I'm holding out through the alloted time frame.

LaSeeno · 04-09-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 355890

Everything needs to get seated properly, lubed up, time for new driver to get used to the new vehicle, it's a 1,000 miles ( how hard can that really be ) Don't answer, I know, I'm holding out through the alloted time frame.

LOL, you think a motor revving at over 6k rpms needs time to get lubricated or seated properly.

Drive it hard off the lot. You will be fine.

355890 · 04-09-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaSeeno

LOL, you think a motor revving at over 6k rpms needs time to get lubricated or seated properly.

Drive it hard off the lot. You will be fine.

Have you got a block heater installed yet????

frost · 04-08-2009, 09:32 PM

I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but with the "black box" tracking more and more of what we do every couple years, don't be surprised if you start seeing warranty issues denied due to not following their break in rules in the future.

SoCal 370Z · 04-08-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but with the "black box" tracking more and more of what we do every couple years, don't be surprised if you start seeing warranty issues denied due to not following their break in rules in the future.

This is the very thing I've wondered about and occasionally mentioned here too. Porsche will void your warranty when you do the wrong thing. Just how much information is stored in ECU? Redlines? Overheating? 160-mph junkets in blue 370z's.

theDreamer · 04-08-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

This is the very thing I've wondered about and occasionally mentioned here too. Porsche will void your warranty when you do the wrong thing. Just how much information is stored in ECU? Redlines? Overheating? 160-mph junkets in blue 370z's.

These black boxes can record almost anything electronic (which as we all know is getting close to everything), but individual states have to approve the use of these in cases. Insurance companies cannot just use them against you at will, there are laws protecting the drive, now manufacturers is a different story and a tougher battle.

355890 · 04-08-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

These black boxes can record almost anything electronic (which as we all know is getting close to everything), but individual states have to approve the use of these in cases. Insurance companies cannot just use them against you at will, there are laws protecting the drive, now manufacturers is a different story and a tougher battle.

In Texas...the insurance companies in this state are very sly, cunning, and questionable at the best of times.

OnCallZ · 04-08-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

These black boxes can record almost anything electronic (which as we all know is getting close to everything), but individual states have to approve the use of these in cases. Insurance companies cannot just use them against you at will, there are laws protecting the drive, now manufacturers is a different story and a tougher battle.

I can foresee black boxes being used by law enforcement, that could work either way though. If somebody claims that they didn't speed and they genuinely didn't. The black box will be the angel and the devil

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

WikiAnswers - How should you 'break-in' a new car

"Most modern car engines are broken in at the factory, before assembly. Therefore the old tradition of breaking in a new car doesn't apply anymore. Just drive as you normally would drive and treat the car the way you would treat anything else of value."

Amon · 04-08-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

160-mph junkets in blue 370z's.

04-08-2009, 07:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
AARC51 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Redmond Washington Posts: 195 Drives: Red 09 370z Sport Rep Power: 17	The infamous "break-in" period. So is the break-in period a fact or a wives tale at this point and time? I tend to believe it's the latter given the fact that nearly every car has been test driven by someone who's continuously revved the engine beyond 4k. So what are the arguments for and against?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Break-In a New Car	TacoZ	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	88	08-01-2012 03:37 PM
New Car Break In	joeyz10	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	48	12-07-2010 05:17 PM
Break In Period?	The Geek	Engine & Drivetrain	48	03-02-2010 07:40 AM
** "INFAMOUS" Z + G MEET Feb 21, 2009 **	Boba	Southern California Region	4	02-22-2009 12:23 PM
Break Down	370z2	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	10	01-25-2009 02:13 PM

04-08-2009, 07:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
OnCallZ Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 108 Drives: g37 Rep Power: 17	A lot of "for" arguments out there. Here is my against argument; car is broken in by nissan before it even gets on the ship.

04-08-2009, 08:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
U-NVmyZ? Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 110 Drives: 18 370 Sprt 6 Wht Rep Power: 17	i agree, i heard that the engines are ready to be driven hard. my dad told me that years ago, he has bought many cars and the ones that he kept for a long time are still good/great. + its japanese....

04-08-2009, 08:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
john370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: new mexico Posts: 141 Drives: 2007 335i coupe Rep Power: 284	I hope you are all right...what are the odds that people will not redline it within a thousand miles or so...oh yea..... you cannot drive it on the freeway for extended times. I must be going to "break in" he!!. I drove my car 35 miles and then redlined it to about 120 mph and then drove 1000 miles home on the freeway in the Z. I think it cannot do any harm to properly break in a car...maybe it is like obeying the speed limits. I did change to Mobile 1 full synthetic after 2500 miles to help lube the poorly broke in engine.

04-08-2009, 09:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
355890 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 416 Drives: GP Z Base+Sport (6m) Rep Power: 542	Everything needs to get seated properly, lubed up, time for new driver to get used to the new vehicle, it's a 1,000 miles ( how hard can that really be ) Don't answer, I know, I'm holding out through the alloted time frame.

04-08-2009, 09:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but with the "black box" tracking more and more of what we do every couple years, don't be surprised if you start seeing warranty issues denied due to not following their break in rules in the future.