I just bought the new MDX and I plan to drive it on a ski trip. I wonder if I need to drive it a few hundred miles in the normal condition before take it to the mountain.
I was told that there is a break in period for 1,000 on the vehicle... altering the speed, not too heavy on gas or break. In addition, the internet sales manager directed me NOT to use the cruise control for the first 500 miles.
Newer vehicles don't really require the type of break in that you used to see in vehicles 20-30 years ago.
The ECU (engine control unit) knows how many miles are on the car and adjusts the car for break in automatically by limiting fuel, shift points, etc.
You can actually do more damage by BABYING the car than by driving it normally. The reason is that engine parts won't fit together as well if the motor is never driven in normal conditions during the 1st thousand miles.
About the only thing most mechanical engineers would tell you is not to drive the vehicle at excessive speeds or at the same RPM for extended periods during the 1st thousand miles or so.
Thanks. I just got up to 800 miles. Just 200 more miles and I can use the cruise control again. I was using the cruise control when I first got the MDX to prevent myself from exceeding the speed limit. I didn't know I wasn't suppose to use it until I read it here. Hope I didn't do any harm to the engine.
For first 600 miles: -avoid full throttle starts and rapid acceleration -do not tow a trailer
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles
Do not change the oil until it tells you to
Also, right next to the break-in paragaph is the fuel recommendations: -the engine is designed to run 91 oct. -if 91 is unavailable, 87 may be used temporarily as it can cause "knocking" and will decrease performance, the long term use of regular grade gas can lead to engine damage :sick:
Cool. If the manual didn't say not to use the cruise control, I must assume that it is safe and I didn't cause any engine damage. Thanks, I feel a lot better.
Comments
Good luck!
The ECU (engine control unit) knows how many miles are on the car and adjusts the car for break in automatically by limiting fuel, shift points, etc.
You can actually do more damage by BABYING the car than by driving it normally. The reason is that engine parts won't fit together as well if the motor is never driven in normal conditions during the 1st thousand miles.
About the only thing most mechanical engineers would tell you is not to drive the vehicle at excessive speeds or at the same RPM for extended periods during the 1st thousand miles or so.
For first 600 miles:
-avoid full throttle starts and rapid acceleration
-do not tow a trailer
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles
Do not change the oil until it tells you to
Also, right next to the break-in paragaph is the fuel recommendations:
-the engine is designed to run 91 oct.
-if 91 is unavailable, 87 may be used temporarily as it can cause "knocking" and will decrease performance, the long term use of regular grade gas can lead to engine damage :sick: