Tips for breaking-in a new car??? (EDIT: not stealing!)

[UNCjigga]

Hey guys. I just got back from the dealer to finalize my lease on a 2002 Accord EX (I decided to get the sedan btw--thanks for all your opinions!) I've paid the deposit, picked out a car from stock (only 12 miles on the odometer!!! :Q) and driven it around a bit!

I won't take delivery of the vehicle until March 28th, so I was wondering if there are any tips I need to know for the break-in period of a new car. My dad told me that I shouldn't rev the engine beyond a certain RPM or something and that was it, but I was sure there were many more things to consider. Also, I don't know if the RPM thing applies to a Honda 4cyl with VTEC (its a high-revving engine, right?) Anyways, like always your advice is appreciated. I know there are all sorts of car nuts in OT here!

 

[b0mbrman]

<< Tips for breaking-in a new car??? (EDIT: not stealing!) >>


LOL!

 

[PsychoAndy]

i dont think the accord 4-cyl's have vtec. somebody correct me if i'm wrong

 

[Viper GTS]

<< i dont think the accord 4-cyl's have vtec. somebody correct me if i'm wrong >>



I believe all EX's do...

Viper GTS

 

[d33pt]

i'd say for the first 1000 miles, do not rev it more than 3000rpm.. dont drive faster than 65... and dont stay in stop and go traffic... then after that change the oil and you should be set to rev to 8000rpm or whatever your vtec lets you do..

 

[Muadib]

If it's a lease, don't worry about it. Congrats!

 

[Peetoeng]

I can do that for you. Infact, I have a certification for breaking-in new cars.

 

[PsychoAndy]

<<

<< i dont think the accord 4-cyl's have vtec. somebody correct me if i'm wrong >>



I believe all EX's do...

Viper GTS >>



i dont know too much about the ex powertrain so i'll just nod in agreement.

 

[Imdmn04]

<< i dont think the accord 4-cyl's have vtec. somebody correct me if i'm wrong >>



all Accords LX's an Ex's (both 4cyl and v6) have vtec

 

[4824guy]

I would suggest changing the engine oil with less than a full recommended mileage amount on it, maybe at 1000, or 1500 miles. I am under the impression that this could clean out any small particles, dust, metal dust or specks, etc, that could be left in the engine from when it was first assembled or caused by its first true useage.

 

[GT578]

Yeah...change the oil around at 1000 miles. I wouldn't drive it insanely fast(revving to redline) but its probably best to not accelerate super fast and all......I seriously doubt that "not going beyond a certain mph" thing really matters much. I didn't push my car('96 camry, had 8 miles when I got it) when I first got it but I did drive it past 65 or whatever.... I have 119,000 miles now and its had no problems except the normal maintenance........I changed oil frequently so I guess that is what helps the most.

 

[rufruf44]

<< I would suggest changing the engine oil with less than a full recommended mileage amount on it, maybe at 1000, or 1500 miles. I am under the impression that this could clean out any small particles, dust, metal dust or specks, etc, that could be left in the engine from when it was first assembled or caused by its first true useage. >>



There're two school of thought about this. The first concur with the post, claiming that the first 1000 miles is where all the gear is being fixed into place, thus causing more harmful metal dust & debris to polute the oil, so changing it early will remove those as well. The 2nd claims that the oil that comes with the car is specially formulated for this condition, therefore it should be left there for the duration. I've a honda techs at 2 different dealership recommended the later.

Personally, I would change the oil first at 2500-3000 miles, tries not to exceed 55-65mph and varies the speed for the first 1000 miles.

 

[LittleWolf]

RTFM!!

-j

 

[Ladies Man]

just drive it how you want to drive it.
break in periods are bull

 

[The Stigenator]

I was told this for the bike and the car.. keep it under 5000 RPM.. some cars though keep it under 4000. Either case keep it at that. The car comes with honda specfic oil for the break in, and hence dont go over the 5000RPM limit until first service at 7500 miles or 6 months. If you can wait, once you cross 3500 miles then you can go in for your first service if you want.
After that you can break the 5000 rpm limit.

While in break in, drive normally, but vary the rpms. When crusing the freeway at one speed, every few miles slow down a bit (let go of the accelerator) and then rev it back up. The idea is to break in the engine and the tranny. Once you have done 1000 miles of regular driving, then you can push it a bit more but still staying under 5000 rpm.. that means you can hit the gas a bit more and hold the gear longer so that the engine breaks in. but the first 1000 miles.. baby it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Try to keep it under about 0.5 x redline for the first 1,500 miles. (eg, if redline is 7,000 RPM, try to keep the engine below 3,500 RPM.) Also, do not run the engine at a constant RPM for extended periods of time (no long, constant-speed highway trips). Finally, don't load the engine heavily (no jackrabbit starts, don't load the car full of people, etc). Basically, drive like a little old lady for the first 1,500 miles. I know it's tempting to drive the wheels off the thing since it's new, but a proper break-in will be worth it 100,000 miles from now. My family has always been very strict on break-in periods, and we have yet to have a car that has had serious problems prior to about 130,000 miles, 160,000 for the Japanese/German cars. My own Accord has 208,300 on it. I attribute it to proper basic maintenance and break-in.

ZV

 

[freebee]

There are obviously going to be a lot of different views on this subject, including the mysterious "break-in" oil. Some mechanics claim certain cars have it, others say there is no such thing..... To try out this theory, tell the dealer you just rebuilt a honda engine and want to order break-in oil, and see what they give you. Chances are, they tell you to use straight motor oil.

As far as the RPM issue goes, there is a certain truth towards the not revving it too much, varying speed etc., but these should fall under normal driving.

Then there is the first 1000 mile oil change. I did it with my new Soob, and hear that its the proper thing to do. And yet, with many high end cars with sophisticated computerized oil monitors which can detect moisture, impurities, and gauge type of driving, rpm, etc....their oil change lights usually don't come on until much later. Which raises the question whether or not this initial oil change is even necessary.

 

[KokomoGST]

<< RTFM! >>

Actually, the manual's breakin driving procedures are on target. Most manufacturers including Honda recommend the use of conventional oil change at a stated interval during break in. This is to get all the engine seals all good, and then you can switch to synth. Most manuals recommend that you change oil filter at every other change. You should do change it at every change, despite what your manual says.

Enjoy your new car!

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

<< RTFM!! -j >>




Argggh... Beat me to it

 

[Vegito]

too bad you didn't get a v6..

heres my accord page.. there are some links to accordv6.com superhonda.org, etc.etc..

This is how I broke in my accord, I actually didn't rev it hard till over 5000 miles.. and still at 8000 miles, I was driving under 60 on highways..

1. 300 Miles, I did a oil drain to get rid of some of the metals in the engine..
Pros & Cons.. Pro - get rid of metals in engine, Con - metal needed to polish the cylinders.

2. 1500 Mile, did another oil drain for the same reason

3. 3000 Mile, did another oil drain & filter change..

4. Oil every 3000 mile, switched to mobil 1 after 6000 mile

Slowly accelerate, dont stay at one constant rpm, try not to go over 3000 rpm... also the piston rings need to be seated correctly also or around 80-90k miles, ur engine rings start leaking..

dont hit the brakes hard !!! the disc and brake cylinder and pads need to be seated correctly

ONLY use Honda ATF, lots of people tried Mobil 1 ATF and the transmission jerked around too much when shifting.. Change your ATF every 15k miles, it's easy so I do it often..

If you do your own oil change, order the filter online, like majestic honda or somewhere else, my dealer charge 6.50, 2 bucks more.. and wipers also, they charge 6 bucks when you can get it for 2..

wash your windshield often ! driving on highway, the windshield gets these weird crap on it easily..

 

[Tominator]

Read the owners manual.....case closed!

 

[HappyPuppy]

It's a lease car, right? It's under warranty, right? When driving out of the dealer's lot just put the pedal to the metal and let 'er rip. Modern cars don't need a break in period.

 

[crash2much]

Happy pretty much nailed it. Newer vehicle need no real break in. Much lower compression engines now then in the past. Much tighter tolerances then before. Much more effecient.

 

[UNCjigga]

LOL, its a 36,000 mile lease and y'all are talking about making it last to 100k!!! I don't think I'll end up buying it so I really shouldn't care about the break-in period I guess. I will service it and maintain it religiously but the revs thing shouldn't be that important.

 

[dionx]

lease car... FLOOR IT ALL THE TIME!!!!


one of our family friends is so rich that he gets a new car every year. for the year he has the car, he does absolute no maintenance on it. just puts gas and the occasional windshield fluid. if its shortterm, who cares about the initial period to make it last long.