kickmaster09

I bought a new 09 honda accord ex before few days.

The sales guy advised me to push the gas pedal real hard from initial 800 rpm till I reach somewhere around 8000 rpm (near the red marks) and then let the car reach the 800 rpm again without braking (idle running).
Keep on repeating the above mentioned procedure 7~8 times.

He mentioned that it will help the piston rings to lock securely (or something ).
I am not too good at this auto tech stuff. Need your expert advice on this.
Is he saying the correct thing? Will going through the above mentioned procedure during the first 200 miles really help?

benzo_tek

I would just drive the car normally for about 1000 miles. Change the oil and have some fun.

Ross 2.0

You don't have to go that far. But I'm a firm believer in a hard break in. I drive engines very hard if they're under about 15K miles. No engine I've built, fixed, or bought has broken down after a hard break in from me or it's driver that I have instructed to do so.

MSchu

I to belive in a Hard break in... and that is what was done on my 08. as long as you seat the rings, your good to go. I've been hammering my engine since about 250 miles.

Ross 2.0

Oh and NEVER do the 1st oil change in a Honda early! In fact I would rather be late.
The factory fill oil is Honda specific break in oil. If you drain it too early you risk engine failures.

kickmaster09

Thanks Ross!

I have been googling the word 'break-in' after you posted your reply.
To me its seems like during the break-in period (first ~1000 miles):
- Avoid using constant rpm for a prolonged period of time
- Perform a hard acceleration (600 to 6000 rpm), once in a while. I guess once in a week or so.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Is there any way I can measure for myself if the piston rings did fit in properly? Eg. listening to engine noise or how the engine performs etc. Or can a technician do it?

MSchu

Fit in properly is not really correct dialog. the rings are gapped during assembly. I am sure they are within specification from the factory. Ring SEATING is another issue altogether. it may manifest itself as higher than normal oil consumption and or lower combustion chamber pressure. Just drive within specs are you are going to be okay, the J series power plant is a rock.

OP... what is your obsession with rings? is it merely a break in question?

kickmaster09

The sales guy recommended me to do hard break-in (just a few times. Drive as you normally will for the rest of the life, otherwise.). He said that this will help prevent the excessive oil consumption and also increase the mileage a bit.
Just wanted to take advice from you experts before I start rev'ing up. Hoping the high rev's won't hurt the engine. Will it?
Yes, just a break-in question.

MSchu

a family car is not as susceptible as a race car or flight engine, but the procedure and theory is basically the same...

During ring seating, the basic purpose is to establish metal-to-metal contact between the piston ring face and the cylinder barrel. In order for this process to take
place, the rings must breach the lubricating film of oil on the cylinder wall. As the rings begin to seat, the ring-to-cylinder wall surface area increases and it
becomes harder for the rings to breach the protective film of oil. You can aid in this process by keeping the combustion chamber gas pressures at high levels
during the early stages of break-in. The higher combustion gas pressures, as controlled by throttle position, force the piston rings to expand against the cylinder
walls, breaching the protective film of oil and allowing the slight wear that we are trying to achieve.