Motor Trend Editorial on Engine Break-in Techniques for new cars
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Motor Trend Editorial on Engine Break-in Techniques for new cars
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Joined: 05-31-2007
Posts: 10
From: Virginia
I'm now a believer of this process after babying a couple of new muscle cars back in the sixties and the rings never really seated very well. The last few new vehicles I've bought got the "mototune" approach from the very start.
That is, as soon as possible after delivery, with the engine warmed up, do as many full throttle runs from about 2500 rpm to 5500 rpm as traffic and road conditions allow. Using a manual trans car in third gear is good for this. I picked up my last new vehicle with 2 miles on the odometer and was at mid rpm range full throttle at 5 miles showing. Obviously a little planning on traffic patterns and road choices are the key. Not talking abusive full throttle starts mind you, just assertively open the throttle, load the engine, and then let it overrun in gear, and repeat as much as you can for the first 100 miles or so. I avoid using the AC during this period as underhood heat is the enemy. Avoiding roads with stop lights, so to keep air flowing through the radiator, is obviously important too.
The worst thing one can do is idle around town with the AC on during break in....IMHO.
My '04 Dodge pickup with Hemi runs 9,000 miles between oil changes now and the oil level doesn't drop in that period. In fact, the Dodge owners manual states "occasional full throttle contributes to good breakin". My new HHR only has 400 miles on it now but is pulling 32mpg so far.
Not a sermon, just a thought.....and my approach now. Now that I'm reflecting on things, I used to work at the GM proving grounds years ago and the "test cars", which got no babying, ran exceptionally well.
Vernon
That is, as soon as possible after delivery, with the engine warmed up, do as many full throttle runs from about 2500 rpm to 5500 rpm as traffic and road conditions allow. Using a manual trans car in third gear is good for this. I picked up my last new vehicle with 2 miles on the odometer and was at mid rpm range full throttle at 5 miles showing. Obviously a little planning on traffic patterns and road choices are the key. Not talking abusive full throttle starts mind you, just assertively open the throttle, load the engine, and then let it overrun in gear, and repeat as much as you can for the first 100 miles or so. I avoid using the AC during this period as underhood heat is the enemy. Avoiding roads with stop lights, so to keep air flowing through the radiator, is obviously important too.
The worst thing one can do is idle around town with the AC on during break in....IMHO.
My '04 Dodge pickup with Hemi runs 9,000 miles between oil changes now and the oil level doesn't drop in that period. In fact, the Dodge owners manual states "occasional full throttle contributes to good breakin". My new HHR only has 400 miles on it now but is pulling 32mpg so far.
Not a sermon, just a thought.....and my approach now. Now that I'm reflecting on things, I used to work at the GM proving grounds years ago and the "test cars", which got no babying, ran exceptionally well.
Vernon
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Joined: 07-17-2006
Posts: 6,053
From: Dallas, GA
Modern technology does not "require" an engine to be broken in. That is one reason why you don't have break in oil when you buy one. Not needed. Just drive as you normally would drive and you should be fine. But if you abuse and break something, good luck with the dealer.
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Joined: 05-26-2007
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Mine had 100 miles on the odometer when I bought it, and it does seem to be a bit of a runner for a 2.2... feels very much the same as a 2LT 2.4 I test drove prior to buying this one. So maybe during those first 100 miles it got some aggressive test drives. Dunno. I, however, waited until 500 miles accumulated on the odometer before I engaged in the ring seating procedure of hard throttle accelerations up to about 4800rpm. I won't rev past about 4800 until 1000 miles are accumulated, after that redline is fair game once in a while. Being an auto trans it gets to 4800 pretty quick so I have to watch out...
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