Breaking in a New Car - Suggestions?
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Anonymous Poster
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Well if you have kids, the first thing you need to do is go in the back somewhere and spill a soda in the floor. Then clean it up. Then back it into the basketball hoop post once or twice, and then have one of the kids drop a bicycle against the side.
Take a young dog for a long drive, shove a couple of stale french fries under one of the seats and a few fruit snacks wrappers in one of the handy seat pockets. By then it's usually pretty well broken in and you can enjoy the fact that you still have a new motor and a hint of that new car smell that cost you upwards of twenty thousand dollars.
I envy you, there's nothing like a new vehicle, but if you don't perform these simple tasks, expect to have that 'deer in the headlight' look everytime you ride in it for at least six months. When you start to feel shaky about that first scratch, spill, tear, focus on the odometer, it'll keep you sane. Congratulations. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Take a young dog for a long drive, shove a couple of stale french fries under one of the seats and a few fruit snacks wrappers in one of the handy seat pockets. By then it's usually pretty well broken in and you can enjoy the fact that you still have a new motor and a hint of that new car smell that cost you upwards of twenty thousand dollars.
I envy you, there's nothing like a new vehicle, but if you don't perform these simple tasks, expect to have that 'deer in the headlight' look everytime you ride in it for at least six months. When you start to feel shaky about that first scratch, spill, tear, focus on the odometer, it'll keep you sane. Congratulations. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I think most of the time people today drive & forget. There are some obvious things like not towing a load for a while, and although none of the owner's manuals I've seen lately say it, I generally try to vary the speed a bit - some highway/some city driving. I do that for the first 500 miles or so - and also try not to do anything continuous for a long period of time (e.g. no 500 mile highway trips. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)
Can't prove my methods do anything at all except make me feel better, but hey, I suppose that's worth something! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Good luck with the new ride! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Can't prove my methods do anything at all except make me feel better, but hey, I suppose that's worth something! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Good luck with the new ride! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bird
Rest in Peace
Rogue, I don't really think "break-in" is as big a deal now as it was 40-50 years ago, but basically I do like Ranchman. Vary speeds, engine RPM, etc. for the first 500 or so miles, occasionally acclerate a little harder than usual to put a little load on the engine.
TimSullivan
Silver Member
I was always very careful about breaking in an engine. Then about ten years ago I had to have an engine replaced under warrantee. Ford dropped a new engine in my car two days before we were to leave for Florida. Ford said no problem just watch the temperature gauge and the oil. I asked about what speed to drive and was told just don’t run the RPMs up. Cruising they told me would be fine.
My son and I drove straight through 1300 miles. Just shut the motor down for gas and pit stops. We did the same thing in reverse a week later. I had that car for another 120K and it never used oil and was strong until I sold it. It was a Ford Taurus and I always got about thirty miles per gallon or more on trips. The best I ever did was 34 MPG at seventy MPH.
My son and I drove straight through 1300 miles. Just shut the motor down for gas and pit stops. We did the same thing in reverse a week later. I had that car for another 120K and it never used oil and was strong until I sold it. It was a Ford Taurus and I always got about thirty miles per gallon or more on trips. The best I ever did was 34 MPG at seventy MPH.
Now now.. Don't envy. Besides, it sounds like you are living your dreams, cashing out of the city and heading off to greener pastures. So you are home farming now? Sounds great. I spend 10 hours a day in a brown cubical going blind stareing at a CRT. The sick thing is I spend another 1/2 hour on the PC at home.
Yuk.
Anyway, the van is nice for now. Wait till it hits the western PA road salt!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Yuk.
Anyway, the van is nice for now. Wait till it hits the western PA road salt!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Anonymous Poster
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But I must envy, it is a female reflex. As far as home farming, the only thing we have successfully raised is swine, but there's always a market for the little oinkers. I have a 'tribute to cubicle people' around here somewhere, if I can find it, I'll send it you you.
Anonymous Poster
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I found it! Top ten drawbacks to working in a cubicle.....
10. Being told to 'Think outside the Box' when you're in a dang box all day long.
9. Not being able to check e-mail attachments without turning around to see who's behind you.
8. Fabric cubicle walls do not offer much protection from any kind of gunfire.
7. That nagging feeling that if you press the right button, you'll get a piece of cheese!
6. Lack of roof rafters for the noose.
5. The walls are too close together for the hammock to work right.
4. 23 power cords, 1 outlet.
3. Prison cells are not only bigger, they also have beds.
2. When tours come through, they don't even bother to throw peanuts at you.
And the Number 1 Drawback to Working in a Cubicle:
1. You can't slam the door when you quit and walk out.
10. Being told to 'Think outside the Box' when you're in a dang box all day long.
9. Not being able to check e-mail attachments without turning around to see who's behind you.
8. Fabric cubicle walls do not offer much protection from any kind of gunfire.
7. That nagging feeling that if you press the right button, you'll get a piece of cheese!
6. Lack of roof rafters for the noose.
5. The walls are too close together for the hammock to work right.
4. 23 power cords, 1 outlet.
3. Prison cells are not only bigger, they also have beds.
2. When tours come through, they don't even bother to throw peanuts at you.
And the Number 1 Drawback to Working in a Cubicle:
1. You can't slam the door when you quit and walk out.
JATO_RaT
Veteran Member
In breaking in our new (used) cars we like to get them payed off as soon as possible. Nothing like owning a 5 year old car thats still got payments left on it. Thats about all the breaking in we do. Rat...
Anonymous Poster
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Last new one I bought, I kicked right square in the fender before it left the dealer's building. I had the pleasure of putting the first dent in that puppy, and the next one somebody put in it didn't bother me near as much. The salesman looked like he'd been shot.
When I got it home, I drained the oil and replaced it with good oil and a new filter.
The next dent didn't occurr for 20,000 miles, and the engine ran like a top till a drunk wiped it out 85,000 miles later.
When I got it home, I drained the oil and replaced it with good oil and a new filter.
The next dent didn't occurr for 20,000 miles, and the engine ran like a top till a drunk wiped it out 85,000 miles later.
Trev
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In my manual, it simply says to not exceed 100 MPH and to avoid full RPM for the first few hundred miles. I expect that most people never read the manual at all, and it does seem that many new cars simply don't specify *any* break-in period. I wonder sometimes if this is because of our throw-away culture where it's expected that cars will be traded long before they really need to be.. probably the manufacturers are happy that this is the case? Or am I being to cynical? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Anonymous Poster
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Aren't the OEM parts the best?
Only according to their propoganda!
All OEM stuff is built by the lowest bidder. Having ridden the planet a few passes around the sun I've concluded the only OEM equipment, other than body panels and exhaust that is the best is tires. Manufacturers get the best tires from the tire plants, and the rest of tire production goes to aftermarket users.
Only according to their propoganda!
All OEM stuff is built by the lowest bidder. Having ridden the planet a few passes around the sun I've concluded the only OEM equipment, other than body panels and exhaust that is the best is tires. Manufacturers get the best tires from the tire plants, and the rest of tire production goes to aftermarket users.
TresCrows
Elite Member
"---- manual, it simply says to not exceed 100 MPH and to avoid full RPM for the first few hundred miles. I expect that most people never read the manual at all, and it does seem that many new cars simply don't specify *any* break-in period. I wonder sometimes if this is because of our throw-away culture where it's expected that cars will be traded long before they really need to be.. probably the manufacturers are happy that this is the case? Or am I being to cynical? "
Yes, your being cynical. Machine tolerences and selection of materials are so far superior these days to the past that a lengthy breakin is rarely required. I think normal driving is sufficient with a few good accelerations thrown in here and there to load the engine. The rings are pushed out by combustion pressure and so it is a good idea to give them some "pressure" here and there so they seat in.
Your manual said not to exceed 100 MPH? What manual said that for what car?
I recently bought a little motorcycle. I got a cam kit for it so after breakin was complete I pulled the cylinders. What got me curious was a web site that a fellow has--Mototuner or some such--anyway--he had pictures of ugly looking blowby and scorching on pistons that he claimed were the result of "easy" breakin per manual rather than the "drive it like you stole it" technique he recommended. Pictures of the abused bike pistons were clean and shiney---hmmmmm. I am a skeptic /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif!!!!!! I ran my engine easy with loading cycles and cooling cycles per the manual. Well, my pistons are clean and shiney. A compression check reveals solid compression. I think Mototuner is full of it or at least is leaving something out of the story.
My suggestion is to use common sense and honor the manual and your new minivan (egads--double yuk) will be happy and shiney for many years and NO, the manufacturers are not spending millions on research to build market competitive cars that nowadays can run 100,000 plus miles with no maintenence other than oil changes just to trick you into ruining your new vehicle--that is cynical and regardless of what the whackos on Art Bell say, the Planet X is not going to collide with the earth and turn it upside down either and NASA is not hiding that info from us. Heck, I got my telescope out and looked for myself--nope---I don't see PLanet X anywhere and I don't need NASA to tell me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. J
Yes, your being cynical. Machine tolerences and selection of materials are so far superior these days to the past that a lengthy breakin is rarely required. I think normal driving is sufficient with a few good accelerations thrown in here and there to load the engine. The rings are pushed out by combustion pressure and so it is a good idea to give them some "pressure" here and there so they seat in.
Your manual said not to exceed 100 MPH? What manual said that for what car?
I recently bought a little motorcycle. I got a cam kit for it so after breakin was complete I pulled the cylinders. What got me curious was a web site that a fellow has--Mototuner or some such--anyway--he had pictures of ugly looking blowby and scorching on pistons that he claimed were the result of "easy" breakin per manual rather than the "drive it like you stole it" technique he recommended. Pictures of the abused bike pistons were clean and shiney---hmmmmm. I am a skeptic /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif!!!!!! I ran my engine easy with loading cycles and cooling cycles per the manual. Well, my pistons are clean and shiney. A compression check reveals solid compression. I think Mototuner is full of it or at least is leaving something out of the story.
My suggestion is to use common sense and honor the manual and your new minivan (egads--double yuk) will be happy and shiney for many years and NO, the manufacturers are not spending millions on research to build market competitive cars that nowadays can run 100,000 plus miles with no maintenence other than oil changes just to trick you into ruining your new vehicle--that is cynical and regardless of what the whackos on Art Bell say, the Planet X is not going to collide with the earth and turn it upside down either and NASA is not hiding that info from us. Heck, I got my telescope out and looked for myself--nope---I don't see PLanet X anywhere and I don't need NASA to tell me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. J
Trev
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Hi Trescows,
I'd quote your message, but I find when I do that I end up with funky colors if I have to go back and edit a typo.
Let's see.. okay, yes.. I'm sure I was being too cynical. What you say makes sense.
You asked about my break-in instructions. The car is a '98 BMW 528i, and the break-in says, and I'm paraphrasing, up to 1240 miles constantly vary both engine and vehicle speed, avoid engine speeds over 4500 RPM, and refrain from exceeding 100 mph (160 km/h). Accelerate gently, never use full throttle, avoid kickdown of the automatic, and be especially careful until the tires have 186 mile (300 km) on them.
The manual has a nice, laid back, sense of humor.. for example they note that their anti-lock braking system is not capable of suspending the laws of physics. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
No, Planet X is not coming in.. but NASA is hiding a lot of info. (That's in the owner's manual also. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )
Bob
I'd quote your message, but I find when I do that I end up with funky colors if I have to go back and edit a typo.
Let's see.. okay, yes.. I'm sure I was being too cynical. What you say makes sense.
You asked about my break-in instructions. The car is a '98 BMW 528i, and the break-in says, and I'm paraphrasing, up to 1240 miles constantly vary both engine and vehicle speed, avoid engine speeds over 4500 RPM, and refrain from exceeding 100 mph (160 km/h). Accelerate gently, never use full throttle, avoid kickdown of the automatic, and be especially careful until the tires have 186 mile (300 km) on them.
The manual has a nice, laid back, sense of humor.. for example they note that their anti-lock braking system is not capable of suspending the laws of physics. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
No, Planet X is not coming in.. but NASA is hiding a lot of info. (That's in the owner's manual also. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )
Bob
icat
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My son and I drove straight through 1300 miles. Just shut the motor down for gas and pit stops. We did the same thing in reverse a week later. )</font>
Man, that's a long haul in reverse! Would have made my neck hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Man, that's a long haul in reverse! Would have made my neck hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
TimSullivan
Silver Member
<font color="blue"> Poster: icat
Subject: Re: Breaking in a New Car - Suggestions?
( My son and I drove straight through 1300 miles. Just shut the motor down for gas and pit stops. We did the same thing in reverse a week later. )
Man, that's a long haul in reverse! Would have made my neck hurt!
</font>
Mine too, I need to read my posts.
Subject: Re: Breaking in a New Car - Suggestions?
( My son and I drove straight through 1300 miles. Just shut the motor down for gas and pit stops. We did the same thing in reverse a week later. )
Man, that's a long haul in reverse! Would have made my neck hurt!
</font>
Mine too, I need to read my posts.
