BlackCobra

I just got my new fit sport 5spd a few days ago, I have been driving cautiously in order to break in the motor and I was wondering:

How many miles I should put on the car when before it is fully broken in (500mi, 1000mi)?

What rpm should I stay under when breaking it in (have been under 4000rpm)?

How many miles has everyone been getting on their Fit Spot 5 spd?

Thanks,

Vincent

fitfreak3

Your manual that came with the car, usually located in the glove box, should have all the answers reguarding proper break-in procedure. As for the MPG, there are a couple threads already created regaurding this matter. All you need to do is read

BlackCobra

Thanks...ill go and consult the dreaded manual, although that is the first place i should have looked at to begin with.

runhopskipendub

according to this guy you should rev high! after reading the site i agree it does make sense.

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

Sturmmann

iTrader: (3)

That motorcycle way is the most efficient way. Always break in any new or rebuilt engine hard. Though don't take it to redline but close...1,000 rpm before should be grand.

People who baby their cars will run into accelerated piston ring wear in the future. The hard break-in process is to let the rings settle in and do its job longer. Car manufacturers and dealer will tell you to take it easy because they want your car to end up back in their service bays sooner.

The aftermarket and enthusiast world of automobile has other means for petty ordeals.

Live it, love it, learn it.

kingSfit

run it hard!

CivicWagonRUS

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sturmmann &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That motorcycle way is the most efficient way. Always break in any new or rebuilt engine hard. Though don't take it to redline but close...1,000 rpm before should be grand.

People who baby their cars will run into accelerated piston ring wear in the future. The hard break-in process is to let the rings settle in and do its job longer. Car manufacturers and dealer will tell you to take it easy because they want your car to end up back in their service bays sooner.

The aftermarket and enthusiast world of automobile has other means for petty ordeals.

This is quite debatable. I would argue that the high revving technique may make a difference in a two stroke motorcycle engine, where there is accelerated wear as it is. However, for a new gasoline car engine, the difference in break in technique is negligible (as long as you don't totally beat on it and don't change the oil that is).

Live it, love it, learn it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nice Fit

Honda is the premier engine builder in the world, then why second guess them ?
Breaking-in hard is old school and wrong for today's micro tolerances engines and polished surfaces. There really is no break in for these Honda engines, but if you want to burn yours go right ahead. I doubt it will do any real damage.

And really, Honda wants you to wear out your engine prematurely so the reputation they have worked 20 years to create can be bad mouthed about by people who don't know what their talking about.

Honda deserves your trust. Do what they tell you, and enjoy your cars.

BlackCobra

I just got home and when driving it on the freeway i kinda pushed it too about 4,000rpm and it just wanted to keep on going. surpisingly enough, the small motor didnt rattle the steering wheel and was rather smooth at 80mph. I am pretty impressed.

Side note i saw our copetitor the Yaris S and it looked pretty clean and fast but I wouldnt trade in my FIT for the yaris even though i also love toyota. Torn between two worlds.

Sturmmann

iTrader: (3)

Every car manufacturer who has done extensive racing...any arena...has built premier engines. This topic is dealing with piston rings which is the main concern of engine break-in.

Your opinion for listening to Honda is stemming from the normal everyday consumer environment. If you love to modify vehicles/motorbikes and have automotive culture in your blood...you will find conventional ways unfavorable.

Simple idea...stock cars follow owner's manual.

Modified cars use any other method most closely related to circuit/track duty.

Eat it like breakfast. Let it pump in your veins.

eL

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sturmmann &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Modified cars use any other method most closely related to circuit/track duty.

Eat it like breakfast. Let it pump in your veins. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd just like to point out that fact that "racing" engines don't run 150k-200k miles, so I'm not sure if using them in your comparison was a good idea.

Sturmmann

iTrader: (3)

I'm not looking into arguments. What I'm trying to say is that regardless of type for engine and duty, hard break in will have piston rings survive longer than easy break in. Fewer replacements.

On motorcycles, the wear is more noticeable because they rev past 15k. This allows the engine builder to see the differences of easy and hard break in. But to make the point of how long you can use any motors, maintenance will ultimately enable long life; that is a given.

The method use depends on owners...what degree of modifications and type of driving impression. Some like it stock, others mildly modified, then moderate, and heavy, and of course race. Every level can benefit from component longevity.

Maybe my statement was a exaggerated by there was no other word to describe what I wanted to say. What if I rephrased it to "methods related to unconventional" or "methods related to aggressive tuning"? I really have no idea now. But nobody take any offense...my own opinion is influenced by everything not stock.

From where I come from...having a stock car is not an option. Nobody needs to listen to me anyways...so enjoy your vehicle the way YOU want to.

snowboarderguy44

has anyone also realized. honda started with motorcycle engines. it's only fitting to think that all the past, present, and future honda engines all derive from some formal thinking of them being larger motorcycle engines. BTW a few guys in honda challenge (H4 to be exact) are essentially racing on stock internal engines. Every builder I spoke to said they need to be broken in the way that was posted in that link. And remember those tight tolerances and polishings that Nice Fit spoke about. What would have more tighter tolerances than a bike engine.

Short story long. Break the engine in as stated in the link.

Keep us updated as well. Fit owners who baby there engines, and other owners who used the 'hard' break-in method . Nothing better then to do a large experiment on honda-tech.

I'd say after 5k miles I can speak to my friend who does lubricant testing on engines. He could use a small sample of the oil from a change and let you know if the motor is rich, blown headgasket, or leakage b/w rings.

Victorymike18

Congrats on the new purchase.

I too have the same questions about breaking in the new engine.

I have a Fit sport 5-speed. I am getting about 34 mpg. in mixed driving. I drive about an equal amount of highway and stop-and-go.

I'm not sure if you've noticed yet, but the 5th gear is somewhat short on the Fit. I notice that at about 65 mph, the RPM's are a bit above 3k. Bring it up to about 80, and they are around 4k. (I'll have to take better note of exact RPM/Speed)

Good luck,

Mike.

BlackCobra

I got about the same reading on my first tank of gas and trying to pull out more from my tank because i have been reading that some people have been getting alot better averages, like 36-40mph a gallon. i dont know how the heck people are able to get more then the average posted MPH from the dealer.

I do notice that too and didnt really want to push my baby too hard but everyone here is saying to push it, others are saying to push it as recomended, and some also say to drive it the way you want too....SO i did all three: the first 200 miles were broken into recomended by the dealer, the second 200 was broken into according to how i want too, and now ive been reving it up to 4,000rpm and so on. I know my motor will be fine since it is a honda motor "HIGH REVING MOTOR," but even though it is high reving the block is tiny and im a bit scared to push it too hard.