Break-in period

derek22

I am in the process of buying my first new car and would like to know what I need to do (or not to do) during the first few thousand miles of the car's life. Any help would be appreciated.

adc100

But in general:

Limit the maximum rpm to say 2/3 of full rpm. If no tachometer limit speed to some value as specified in manual,

No full throttle for at least 1000 miles - no fast starts.

Change engine speeds frequently- no cruise control.

Totally get off the gas when on the highway (if safe) for a few seconde every now and then (5-10 minutes) This sucks oil into the rings.

Try to avoid long trips for first 1000 miles.

In general-baby the car-it's worth the wait.

ryanbab

vary the rpms for first 500 miles

no cruise control either

no towing (trucks) first 500 miles

gsleve

It has been stated it is not adviseable to baby a car within it's first few miles doing so will set will result in lack of performance through the yrs of its life, The iniital breakin sets the cars performance and behavior for the rest of it's operational life. It is good to very you're speeds greatly and often additionally let taste what it is like at quick spirts to open throttle this loads the rings real well, because there may bea time when you'll need this extra performance and the car may not rise to the occasion because it was babied too much. Let it taste what is like when 2nd gear close to the red line then back off let the car wind down later try it in 3rd and 4th do this on various occassions this will help the cars performance in the long run by comparison to another car that was babied

alcan

Your owner's manual will have specific break-in procedures, but adc100 and ryanbab pretty much have it covered. Here's verbatim what's in the owner's manuals for 2 of my cars:

Brand A
- Don't drive at any one speed - fast or slow - for the first 500 miles. Don't make full throttle starts.
- Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles or so. During this time your new brake linings aren't broken in yet. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this guideline every time you get new brake linings.
- Don't tow a trailer during break-in.

Brand B
- Change your speed often as you drive. Do not drive at one speed for a long time.
- Avoid sudden stops. Begin braking well in advance. Apply the brakes gradually. The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles of city driving or 1,000 miles of highway driving.
- Use only the type of engine oil that XXXXX recommends. Do not use oil additives.

Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one. However, owners manuals are written after consultation with the engineers who designed your vehicle. Read yours and proceed accordingly.

adc100

The rings will seat at lower rpms and varying speeds will help. With regards to high rpms. The only thing you would want to be careful of is to never take the car beyond say 4K for thousands of miles and then one day take it to 6500. You could possibly damage a ring this way by going a little higher in a worn in cylinder. And that's probably a reach. I kept my Sentra under 4K for 15oo miles and then raised the limit gradually over the first 5 thousand miles. No lack of performance here, I can tell you. Also used about a tablespoon of oil in the first 3K miles. I'd say the rings seated OK. As alcan said, the manual is the best source of info.

alcan

Hi Al. You're a retired engineer, aren't you?

adc100

I guess that shows up negatively sometimes. I just think that treating a piece of mechanical equipment easier is a good thing (not really engineering thinking here)

Later there , alcan

gsleve

Info I posted was from those who are automotive engineers along with those who build race motors for a living this has been the practice for many years, again what the manual will recommend is for those who do not know anything about internal workings of a motor and this is the best general advice that can be given to the average "joe", however for those who are in the know and want their cars to perform at their peak all the time incorporating such a practice during the break in period is in no way harmful to the motor nor will deterimental to its future operation

However their are opinons and their are true to life experts with many many years of experience that often have more insight than the average "joe" who does not.

alcan

You're absolutely right. I should have realized that 35 years as a licensed auto tech doesn't make me an "expert". Thank you for pointing that out. Have a nice day.

xfiles

dpwestlake

If this was true there would never be a recall and all cars would be easy to service.

Engineers tend to be a bit arrogant. There are times when the guys "in the trenches" understand the situation better than the generals.

alcan

My colleagues in the Faculty of Engineering Technology would probably concur. Suggest you read my profile.

Every day above ground is a wonderful one.

armtdm

A forensic mechanic?

Okay, so if I have a engine blow at 30,000 and the dealer claims that I did nto change the oil as recommended but used synthetic and went 15,000 between changes, in theory, the manufacturer must prove it was the oil that caused the failure not the failure of the owner to change it in accordance with recommended schedule.

Is this where the Forensic Mechanic would come in, we could hire you to inspect the engine and testify in court that it was an engine manufacturing defect and not the oil (or it could be the oil) that caused the failure?????

Is this correct?

alcan

That's not really my area of expertise. I mainly inspect vehicles involved in fatal, severe injury, or substantial damage collisions where mechanical failure is claimed by the operator or suspected by the police to be a contributing factor. As an example, I inspected a Ranger pickup involved in a head-on, in which the driver had claimed a loss of steering control. Inspection indicated that the right front spindle had actually worked it's way out of the steering knuckle prior to the collision, causing the loss of control (no runout on the spindle, an elongated hole in the knuckle, severe diagonal abrasion of the right brake pads, etc). Based on the inspection and report, two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm were dropped. The driver was subsequently convicted of driving with a BAC over .08%, however.

Anyway, I'm sure I can hear Mr Shifright clearing his throat.... :-)

gsleve

There is a chasm between a technician and an engineer, usually the engineer may have a more accurate knowledge of the inner workings of a device or mechanism than a technician who'll fix or repair troubleshoot what may be broken.

You've mistaken my point, clearly those who invest the needed energy and time to develope for r&d purposes know the limitations of the products they develope and test, more particularly those who manufacture race motors or in the racing industry have an intimate knowledge and understanding of tolerances and given limitations of motors.

My point was, one could go by the conservative guidelines yet there is an option that can be employed to prepare the motor to utilize it's full potential. I've just expressed another viewpoint with the intention to apprise, It's too bad you've taken such data as a personal offense followed by a curt remark, far be it from me to step on the sensitivity level of another for being informational

spokane

We can surely agree that engineering and technician inputs are both invaluable to most of these maintenance topics. Alcan is uniquely qualified with credentials as both a licensed technician and a Professor of Automotive Technology. From his remarks in several areas, we have heard sound advice from both the "mechanic" and the "prof."

adc100

engineering school who didn't know their tailpipe frome a hole in the ground. Professor alcan is O.K with me. Lighten up man.

alcan

Sir,

I would strongly recommend that you establish your facts prior to launching unprovoked personal attacks. As you assumed, I am a member of the Faculty of Engineering Technology of an Ontario community college. As to misleading the public re the improper use of a title, if there is any misrepresentation here it would be borne by the Council of Regents of the province's Ministry of Education. It was the Council which, in 1988 (9?) re-designated college faculty from Teaching Master to Professor. The workload profile for professors includes, but is not limited to, developing curriculum, preparing and delivering lessons, and evaluating student performance. Consequently, use of the title Professor is factual, accurate, and justified. Incidentally, there are Instructors in the college system. They deliver prepared curriculum only.

As to credentials, am I a licensed technician? Yes. Did I complete a 4 year mechanical engineering degree program? No. Did the Council of Regents confer the title of Professor? Yes. Do I feel as though I am misleading the public? Absolutely not. Do I feel like wasting any more of my time responding to your inane drivel? Not particularly.

Clearly, you have a personal agenda which you insist in pursuing, for reasons which are of no consequence to me. Please find someone else to annoy with your ill-conceived and assinine witch hunt. This is becoming tedious and wearisome, my good man.

Alcan

dpwestlake

Title or no title, you know what you're talking about....that's good enough for me.

armtdm

I would much rather have a technical person that has actually worked on/repaired cars then a engineer or prof' opinion on most matters when it comes to repairs. A great engineer or prof does not a great mechanic or a true teacher make. I have seen too many and work with too many PhDs to know that most do not know thier A from their A when it comes to common sense practical know how!!!!!

stealth1969

I agree with Dpwestlake. Years ago when I was looking for a job, one came up and I wasn't certified, they said it was OK as long as I could do the job. Alcan may not be an engineer or a race engine builder (how long would a race engine last in everyday driving) but in my book, Alcan knows what he is talking about. He gets the job done. Keep up the good work. Thanks.

rubicon52

mechanical engineering curriculums are almost totally science and engineering theory. Even in a mechanical engineering curriculum you don't learn much about the everyday workings of mechanical devices like automobiles. Now, if you design cars for a living as an automotive engineer, that's another matter.

Mr_Shiftright

All posts that were personal attacks or "flames" were deleted and the poster notified. Flaming is a violation of the Terms of Use in Town Hall and won't be tolerated, so if you don't want to be writing all day in disappearing ink, reread the rules or e-mail me with your questions about posting etiquette!

Alcan, you are most welcome and appreciated here.

Shiftright the Host

alcan

To the last 5 posters, thank you very much for your support. To anyone I might have offended, my apologies. To anyone who thinks there was any intention to misrepresent on my part, that isn't the case. There will always be occasions on which we'll have to agree to disagree, but let's do it amicably.

Mr_Shiftright

Okay, sounds like the original poster got some good advice and that the discussion has wandered off....so I think I will retire this topic if that's okay with everyone (e-mail me if anyone wants to see it continue).

thank you

Shiftright the Host