yact: break-in period

[zCypher]

If you've bought a new or used vehicle recently (or ever, I guess) - did you follow closely the "break-in" period many speak of? Or are you one of the "blah... the car's there for drivin'!" types?

The way I looked at it was - it can't hurt to drive the car smoothly and gently for the first while, but it 'could' hurt to drive it harshly right off the bat? BUT ... if there's a break-in period, what would that typically be? 50km, 500km, 1000, 2000, 5000km? I've put roughly 1000km on mine so far and I've been gentle to it 99% of the time, never revving too high, never accelerating too hard (which was never a problem since the lancer has plenty of torque for a car its size IMO). So if you buy a new car and you accelerate hard (revving to maybe 4000-4500rpm with a 6000 redline) twice in a week with the rest of the driving being granny-like, would you expect a long lifetime of the vehicle?

Also... have any of you bought a new car and beaten the crap out of it right away? If so happened?

 

[NutBucket]

I wouldn't not-break in a car. Though some may say its not necessary, I'm sure it couldn't hurt. Usually a break-in period is about 500 miles. Aside from not revving too high you should also vary the rpms more, like don't do a lot of freeway miles. My family has always done that and our cars have aged pretty well.

 

[zCypher]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't not-break in a car. Though some may say its not necessary, I'm sure it couldn't hurt. Usually a break-in period is about 500 miles. Aside from not revving too high you should also vary the rpms more, like don't do a lot of freeway miles. My family has always done that and our cars have aged pretty well.

Thanks for the input, nut. I generally try to follow the same patterns as my parents have for treating a car, since my parents have had many cars that lasted a long time. For example a 91 honda.. when everyone else's 91 was breaking down, ours was perfect. After 300,000km it was still perfect. The only repair put on that car was muffler cause it was too loud after rusting away. Engine was still perfect ten years later, and I remember my dad accelerating hard with that car a LOT. Too bad my mom totalled the car.

When I got my Camaro - despite it being a used car, I still drove it easy for the first while (partially cause stuff kept breaking on me every week). After having it for a few weeks I started to drive it harder (and after having repaired some stuff)... accelerating as hard as possible, revving high (for a v8), sudden take-offs and accelerating, braking, etc etc.. but after all the harrassment I've given that car it's had not a single problem (not counting the ones I had before beating it up.. previous owner's fault).

Another thing I'm wondering about is the Lancer EVO ... anyone have one? I just have a base lancer es, but I wonder how nice the evo is. anyway i'm off.. gnite all.

 

[Pepsi90919]

never read the owner's manual have you?

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: zCypher

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't not-break in a car. Though some may say its not necessary, I'm sure it couldn't hurt. Usually a break-in period is about 500 miles. Aside from not revving too high you should also vary the rpms more, like don't do a lot of freeway miles. My family has always done that and our cars have aged pretty well.

Thanks for the input, nut. I generally try to follow the same patterns as my parents have for treating a car, since my parents have had many cars that lasted a long time. For example a 91 honda.. when everyone else's 91 was breaking down, ours was perfect. After 300,000km it was still perfect. The only repair put on that car was muffler cause it was too loud after rusting away. Engine was still perfect ten years later, and I remember my dad accelerating hard with that car a LOT. Too bad my mom totalled the car.

When I got my Camaro - despite it being a used car, I still drove it easy for the first while (partially cause stuff kept breaking on me every week). After having it for a few weeks I started to drive it harder (and after having repaired some stuff)... accelerating as hard as possible, revving high (for a v8), sudden take-offs and accelerating, braking, etc etc.. but after all the harrassment I've given that car it's had not a single problem (not counting the ones I had before beating it up.. previous owner's fault).

Another thing I'm wondering about is the Lancer EVO ... anyone have one? I just have a base lancer es, but I wonder how nice the evo is. anyway i'm off.. gnite all.

The evo is incredible. I went and test drove one and it was nuts. Just stuck like glue and when the turbo spooled up it was a rocket ship. I was pinned to the seat. Very crazy. Made driving back in my Accord quite humbling But on the bright side, just broke 150k on the Accord today (its a '91).

 

[Angrymarshmello]

There's also the theory of giving it a couple of 3/4 throttle runs down the street to settle the piston rings - I think several people vouched for that method including Roger

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
never read the owner's manual have you?

What's that?

J/K

Every owners manual I've ever seen has break-in information, and a lot of other good stuff.

 

[Confused]

One of my friends was driving down the motorway (freeway) at about 80mph when this brand new Mercedes (it was September 1st, the day new registration numbers come out) came flying past him in the outside lane doing at least 100-110mph.

About a mile down the road there was a huge puff of smoke coming from under the bonnet (hood) of this Mercedes at the side of the road, which had threw a piston out of the top of the engine and through the bonnet (hood).


Confused

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
...you should also vary the rpms more...

That makes no sense. Why should someone do that?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: NutBucket
...you should also vary the rpms more...

That makes no sense. Why should someone do that?

Text

...can't drive at steady speeds...

I've always heard this as well... not sure why though.

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: NutBucket
...you should also vary the rpms more...

That makes no sense. Why should someone do that?

It is best to vary the RPM's during the break in period, determined by the manufacturer. Doing this will increase the life span of the motor. You do not want to break in a motor by keeping the same rpm.