SlowDown

Does anyone here subscribe to the break-in period? I find everyone has their own superstitions about it. I'm wondering if anyone has more of an expert opinion...

-How long should it be (how many miles)?

-What do you do for the 'break-in period'? Not let RPMs go over XXX? Not go over XXX MPH? Let the car warm up XXX minutes?

-What supposed positive effect is it supposed to have on the car? Conversely, what could happen if you DONT do a 'break-in' ritual?

Thanks!

Bruce Banner

i dew

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I believe the owner's manual details what you should do, at least service wise.

Drive the car normally, don't go nuts and drive it hard or anything like that, just drive normally

pos_cd5

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheMuffinMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I believe the owner's manual details what you should do, at least service wise.

Drive the car normally, don't go nuts and drive it hard or anything like that, just drive normally</TD></TR></TABLE>

my belief as well.

but there are other people who believe you should take your car to redline and back down to break it in. someone put up a pretty strong theory about it, but i still believe in the take it gentle way

SlowDown

This is kind of what I'm talking about. The theories are all over the place. Some say to drive it nice and slow, keeping the RPMs low to reduce stress on the engine.

Some say to drive it normally, don't do anything different. This is in line with the 'there really is no need for break-in' people.

Some say to drive it at high RPMs or to try to go at all different speeds if possible. They say things like you have to burn in the seals or get the engine 'used to' running at various RPMs...

They can't all be right!

pos_cd5

i saw listen to what the facotry manual says, because im sure honda engineers knows more about your honda then some ghost writer on the internet. if your engine is built, do what your engine builder recomends, assuming hes reputable and knowledgable.

heres a little fact though. when the lancer evolutions first came out in the US, they had alot of owners coming back complaining of excessive oil consumption. they later found out that none of them were following the recomended break in procedure, which was to drive it normally, and not doing any quick burst of acceleration or taking it over 5000 RPM for the first 500 miles.

Bruce Banner

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pos_cd5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i saw listen to what the facotry manual says, because im sure honda engineers knows more about your honda then some ghost writer on the internet. if your engine is built, do what your engine builder recomends, assuming hes reputable and knowledgable.

heres a little fact though. when the lancer evolutions first came out in the US, they had alot of owners coming back complaining of excessive oil consumption. they later found out that none of them were following the recomended break in procedure, which was to drive it normally, and not doing any quick burst of acceleration or taking it over 5000 RPM for the first 500 miles. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Can you blame them?
lol

SuShiBoiiii

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pos_cd5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">heres a little fact though. when the lancer evolutions first came out in the US, they had alot of owners coming back complaining of excessive oil consumption. they later found out that none of them were following the recomended break in procedure, which was to drive it normally, and not doing any quick burst of acceleration or taking it over 5000 RPM for the first 500 miles. </TD></TR></TABLE>

thats probably some little kid with rich parents and wanted to race everything and show how cool he is..

but back to the OP what kind of car are you talking about or just cars in general?

98vtec

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

SuShiBoiiii

WOW now thats a trip good find lol

98vtec

soft breakin = less pressure on rings to seal = less power.

gosu08

my friend had a 02 type S rsx...drove it hard and forgot about the break in period. drove it hard alot that is and threw a rod.

SlowDown

I'm asking in general but my specific car is a new Accord 4 cyl.

I have seen the site (http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm) before, he briefly mentions the method is applicable to cars but I think it was written more for small engines. For example, he recommends changing out the oil within 20 miles- I've read lots of places that you should not get an oil change in a new honda right away because of special additives in the oil.

raceACCORDingly

break it in however your engine builder wants you to.

if you built it yourself and everything is in check, id break it in on a dyno. break it in the way you intend to use it. if you're gonna grandma it around then break it in the grandma method. if you are gonna run it hard break it in on the dyno and seat the rings ASAP.

98vtec

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SlowDown &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm asking in general but my specific car is a new Accord 4 cyl.

I have seen the site (http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm) before, he briefly mentions the method is applicable to cars but I think it was written more for small engines. For example, he recommends changing out the oil within 20 miles- I've read lots of places that you should not get an oil change in a new honda right away because of special additives in the oil.</TD></TR></TABLE>

an engine is an engine. During break in, all you are doing it seating the rings. There is nothing else to break in.

Perfectionist

For break in, I follow the manufacturer's recomendations in the owner's manual. However, it's your property and you can do as you wish. Just be able to lie like hell if an engine related warranty issue comes up.

As for early oil changes, yes, I have heard the factory oil is supposed to have a higher moly content and shouldn't be changed too soon.