"breaking in" the engine

Sick · 10-29-2007, 03:24 AM

When (not if) I get my Camaro - it will be brand new. I have never driven a brand new car considering the past two vehicles I have owned have had 25k and now 79k on the odometer. That said, I have heard that it is in the best interest of the engine's life longetivity to "break in" the engine, by not driving it too hard before hitting 5000 miles.

Is this true? If so, then I'll need to really work on my self restraint considering I don't plan on ever selling the car.

*TAG UR IT* · 10-29-2007, 04:12 AM

I think that used to be a good idea....but it was 500 miles. Then, I heard that was for the engines of yesterday. Now, you don't have to worry about getting on it and can just go. Either way, I'm still going to take it easy for a few hundred miles. Then, I'll open it up.

stovt001 · 10-29-2007, 05:41 AM

When I worked at an auto dealership, we would tell new owners that on modern cars, for the first 500-1000 miles just drive it like you normally would, but at 8/10 intensity. So don't go doing burnouts as soon as you get it maybe, but you can still drive it enthusiastically. As we put it "If you're going to regularly go up to Vegas at 90 mph, break it in by going to Vegas at 80 mph."

OverAnxious · 10-29-2007, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

I think that used to be a good idea....but it was 500 miles. Then, I heard that was for the engines of yesterday. Now, you don't have to worry about getting on it and can just go. Either way, I'm still going to take it easy for a few hundred miles. Then, I'll open it up.

I agree, no sense in taking any chances with a fresh motor on any vehicle

OverAnxious · 10-29-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stovt001

When I worked at an auto dealership, we would tell new owners that on modern cars, for the first 500-1000 miles just drive it like you normally would, but at 8/10 intensity. So don't go doing burnouts as soon as you get it maybe, but you can still drive it enthusiastically. As we put it "If you're going to regularly go up to Vegas at 90 mph, break it in by going to Vegas at 80 mph."

'Drive it enthusiastically' I like that phrase

Dark Knight · 10-29-2007, 09:05 AM

When i bought my firebird i bought it brand new. For 3k miles i didn't go above 60mph. Here it is almost 7 years later and 185k miles and the only thing that has went wrong with the car was the fule pump went out. It just goes to show if you take care of something it will last ya. So yeah..if I were you i would take it easy for awhile if you want the car to last a long time.

Pencil.Fight · 10-29-2007, 05:11 PM

When I bought my Corolla this past February, they told me that I had to break it in for the first 1000 miles. There's a whole chapter in there about how you're supposed to drive during the break-in period. Don't drive at the same speed for too long, don't drive too much in stop and go if possible, etc.

I just helped my girlfriend buy a Chevy Aveo that they have to ship up from Oregon. After seeing what I had to go through with my Toyota she was worried about having someone take it on a road-trip as the first drive. I asked the salesman and he said "yeah, that was on a Toyota. Our cars come from the factory ready to drive."

I'll let you be the judge as to whether that was salesman BS or just one more reason why Chevy is superior to Toyota.

The_Stache · 10-29-2007, 05:24 PM

Old generation engines did indeed require a "break in" period and depending on manufacturing some new cars like some "toyota" engines still do. Alot of newer generation engines are coming off the line "broke in" already.

Usually its just best follow the manufactures manual. In fact 90% of people never look at the manual when they buy a new car and its really one of the first things you should do (Even sometimes BEFORE the sale)

stovt001 · 10-29-2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pencil.Fight

When I bought my Corolla this past February, they told me that I had to break it in for the first 1000 miles. There's a whole chapter in there about how you're supposed to drive during the break-in period. Don't drive at the same speed for too long, don't drive too much in stop and go if possible, etc.

I just helped my girlfriend buy a Chevy Aveo that they have to ship up from Oregon. After seeing what I had to go through with my Toyota she was worried about having someone take it on a road-trip as the first drive. I asked the salesman and he said "yeah, that was on a Toyota. Our cars come from the factory ready to drive."

I'll let you be the judge as to whether that was salesman BS or just one more reason why Chevy is superior to Toyota.

I think it is a little of both. Toyota definitely comes down more cautious on maintenance and car care standards than Chevy. When I worked at a Toyota dealership last year we just started cautiously recommending changing the oil every 5,000 miles, as opposed to every 3,000. Chevy says to just trust the oil life monitor, but under good conditions the oil can last to 7,000 miles. Sure enough, when I drive my Cobalt with care I get 7,000 miles between changes easily. On the other hand, salesmen are always just filled to the brim with

and will say just about anything.

Emher · 10-29-2007, 07:08 PM

I'm going to be careful and look at the manual before going home. It's gonna be hard not to floor it too hard the first 500 miles or so, but that too shall pass...

bcannan354 · 10-29-2007, 07:45 PM

" DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT"!!!

Moose · 10-29-2007, 10:26 PM

I've heard that "breaking in" today's engine's isn't really necessary.

But, I still follow the advice my Dad alway's gave me.

For the first 500 mile's, I avoid "hard" acceleration's, I avoid driving at a sustained speed for too many mile's, I avoid the higher RPM's, and I also change the oil after the first 500 mile's.

Maybe it's "old school", and a little "over protective", but it's alway's worked for me.

Jeff · 10-29-2007, 11:03 PM

Drive it to another city there and back just cruising maybe. Then open up on it :p

SoFlaZ · 10-29-2007, 11:23 PM

I've actually read up on this a little bit recently and there are big arguments on "Do I go slow and easy or pedal to the metal?". After reading up on it and reading stories from both sides, the thing I am going to do is first off not rev too high for the first 500 miles and not drive at a constant speed too long. Then in a certain gear start at like 2K rpms and do a few 70% throttle pulls to around 5K and let the engine decelerate while in gear back to 2K.
AS I HAVE READ, this should be done almost immediately and helps seat the piston rings correctly, regardless of what the engine is in. Thats just my .02 and I am in no way a mechanic but my father was and agreed on this.

10-29-2007, 03:24 AM	#1
Sick Drives: Audi TT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 75	"breaking in" the engine When (not if) I get my Camaro - it will be brand new. I have never driven a brand new car considering the past two vehicles I have owned have had 25k and now 79k on the odometer. That said, I have heard that it is in the best interest of the engine's life longetivity to "break in" the engine, by not driving it too hard before hitting 5000 miles. Is this true? If so, then I'll need to really work on my self restraint considering I don't plan on ever selling the car.

10-29-2007, 09:05 AM	#6
Dark Knight Does it come in BLACK? Drives: 2001 FIREBIRD (for now!!) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,TN Posts: 169	When i bought my firebird i bought it brand new. For 3k miles i didn't go above 60mph. Here it is almost 7 years later and 185k miles and the only thing that has went wrong with the car was the fule pump went out. It just goes to show if you take care of something it will last ya. So yeah..if I were you i would take it easy for awhile if you want the car to last a long time. __________________ Good things come to those who wait

10-29-2007, 05:24 PM	#8
The_Stache SoCal Race Team #13 Drives: 2010 1SS:RS:LS3:SW Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,800 View My Garage	Old generation engines did indeed require a "break in" period and depending on manufacturing some new cars like some "toyota" engines still do. Alot of newer generation engines are coming off the line "broke in" already. Usually its just best follow the manufactures manual. In fact 90% of people never look at the manual when they buy a new car and its really one of the first things you should do (Even sometimes BEFORE the sale) __________________ A.K.A - Diarmadhi (old handle) - So much to do.. So little money Owner : Fast-Stache Industries LLC

10-29-2007, 11:03 PM	#13
Jeff ~ANTI-FORD~ Drives: Cadillac CTS Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 608	Drive it to another city there and back just cruising maybe. Then open up on it :p __________________ My Z28 sorry guys.. sold Camaro and got a Cadillac CTS, waiting for a few years to get a 2010 SS used ;]

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10-29-2007, 04:12 AM	#2
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,544 View My Garage	I think that used to be a good idea....but it was 500 miles. Then, I heard that was for the engines of yesterday. Now, you don't have to worry about getting on it and can just go. Either way, I'm still going to take it easy for a few hundred miles. Then, I'll open it up.

10-29-2007, 05:41 AM	#3
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	When I worked at an auto dealership, we would tell new owners that on modern cars, for the first 500-1000 miles just drive it like you normally would, but at 8/10 intensity. So don't go doing burnouts as soon as you get it maybe, but you can still drive it enthusiastically. As we put it "If you're going to regularly go up to Vegas at 90 mph, break it in by going to Vegas at 80 mph."

10-29-2007, 07:08 PM	#10
Emher Pillaging Viking Drives: Saab 9-5 '99 (Hey it's a GM!) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,189	I'm going to be careful and look at the manual before going home. It's gonna be hard not to floor it too hard the first 500 miles or so, but that too shall pass...

10-29-2007, 07:45 PM	#11
bcannan354 Drives: 1968 Camaro Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Naples,Florida Posts: 184	" DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT"!!!

10-29-2007, 10:26 PM	#12
Moose Moderator Drives: '99 Camaro SS #1392 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newtown, Pa. Posts: 3,982	I've heard that "breaking in" today's engine's isn't really necessary. But, I still follow the advice my Dad alway's gave me. For the first 500 mile's, I avoid "hard" acceleration's, I avoid driving at a sustained speed for too many mile's, I avoid the higher RPM's, and I also change the oil after the first 500 mile's. Maybe it's "old school", and a little "over protective", but it's alway's worked for me.

10-29-2007, 11:23 PM	#14
SoFlaZ Drives: 2013 SS LS3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: WPB FL Posts: 947 View My Garage	I've actually read up on this a little bit recently and there are big arguments on "Do I go slow and easy or pedal to the metal?". After reading up on it and reading stories from both sides, the thing I am going to do is first off not rev too high for the first 500 miles and not drive at a constant speed too long. Then in a certain gear start at like 2K rpms and do a few 70% throttle pulls to around 5K and let the engine decelerate while in gear back to 2K. AS I HAVE READ, this should be done almost immediately and helps seat the piston rings correctly, regardless of what the engine is in. Thats just my .02 and I am in no way a mechanic but my father was and agreed on this.