How to break in my new car engine?

[lasallejai]

Will pick up my new Mazda 6 in about an hour or so, should I drive it like I have stolen it after the engine is warmed up, as suggested in many articles I read on the web, or should I follow the user's manuel advice to drive it as usual at different speeds in different gears?

[marcsterr]

Will pick up my new Mazda 6 in about an hour or so, should I drive it like I have stolen it after the engine is warmed up, as suggested in many articles I read on the web, or should I follow the user's manuel advice to drive it as usual at different speeds in different gears?

love the feeling of picking up a new car..its so exciting :)

ive also heard many methods of breaking it in..but i would just stick to the manual...just vary the rpm's and dont redline the car for the first 1000km's

have fun with your new ride!

[Cafe_333]

Every dealership has traditionally told people to not go above 3000rpm for the first 1000km to break in the new car engine. My friend did a tranny swap to his car from a reputable place that tunes cars for race tracks and even they told him the same thing. Must be a truth behind it.

[masterballer]

let it idle to warm up, drive it harder than you usually do, dont red line but take it up close to it, u only have about the first 20 or so km to create a good seal after that its broken in right or wrong, cant change it.

read:

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

[sshe11]

go here for any questions related to the Mazda6 ...
http://forum.mazda6club.com/

btw which model ??

[lasallejai]

"let it idle to warm up, drive it harder than you usually do, dont red line but take it up close to it, u only have about the first 20 or so km to create a good seal after that its broken in right or wrong, cant change it"


I read that too from the link you provided and that is why I am asking for more opinions. I always ran in my new cars softly and easily so I dare myself to try it a different way this time. I am very tempted though.

[stronghold]

i've heard both theories .. but there isn't a definitive answer since both of ways make sense

up to now, i always went easy on the engine

[masterballer]

the driving like you stole it makes alot of sence, the pressure is what seals the piston rings and you get more pressure or the pressure needed by reving the engine....

that link has alot of good info.

[mudmojo]

I beat the living snot out of my car engines from day 1 and they last "forever"... but only if I continue to beat the snot out of them.

If I later drive gingerly, it'll probably die an early death.


I might just be a statistical outlier though. ;)

[WheatKing]

the slow breaking method is a myth...

The whole point of an engine break in is to accomplish 1 thing..

to seat the rings.. which means grind them into the bores and allow them to become identical in shape to the metal they are rubbing against, to achieve a better seal to prevent leak down into the crankcase.

you have to run the engine at a varying speed for this to happen.. it kind of "rattles" the ring in the bore allowing it to wear evenly...

if you run at a constant speed.. the rings will not wear into the bores properly.

vary the rpm.. and most importantly.. change the oil and filter often (500km, 1000km, 1500km) and DONT use synthetic until atleast 2500km. then adhere to regular service intervals.. lots of little bits of metal will dislodge when breaking in your engine.. you don't want that in your bearings..

Babying the throttle does little to help the breakin process.

most engines now come mostly broken in from the factory.. where when they are first fired up, they get redlined several times to ensure they "work right"

best advice i've ever heard.. drive it like you are going to drive it normally. if your gonna drive it like a little old lady.. break it in like that.. if your going to drive it like your power drunk.. well..

[masterballer]

the slow breaking method is a myth...

The whole point of an engine break in is to accomplish 1 thing..

to seat the rings.. which means grind them into the bores and allow them to become identical in shape to the metal they are rubbing against, to achieve a better seal to prevent leak down into the crankcase.

you have to run the engine at a varying speed for this to happen.. it kind of "rattles" the ring in the bore allowing it to wear evenly...

if you run at a constant speed.. the rings will not wear into the bores properly.

vary the rpm.. and most importantly.. change the oil and filter often (500km, 1000km, 1500km) and DONT use synthetic until atleast 2500km. then adhere to regular service intervals.. lots of little bits of metal will dislodge when breaking in your engine.. you don't want that in your bearings..

Babying the throttle does little to help the breakin process.

most engines now come mostly broken in from the factory.. where when they are first fired up, they get redlined several times to ensure they "work right"

best advice i've ever heard.. drive it like you are going to drive it normally. if your gonna drive it like a little old lady.. break it in like that.. if your going to drive it like your power drunk.. well..

good advice....drive it like you stole it...what fun :D now i want a new car :(

[JohnyM]

vary the rpm.. and most importantly.. change the oil and filter often (500km, 1000km, 1500km) and DONT use synthetic until atleast 2500km. then adhere to regular service intervals..
I don't know about Mazda, But Honda manual specifically states NOT to change the first oil before it's due.

[mau108]

dont change the oil until its time for the first time, then you may change it when ever you like.

[Pingu]

From what I have been told. It's not the engine that needs breaking in that is already done at the factory (don't you think that they would at least drive the car before letting it out onto the road?). Besides what everyone says...did you read the manual?

[Pete_Coach]

lassallejai, do exactly what the owners manual says. It is easy to give advice like "drive it like you stole it" but remember this, it is your car not theirs. If you lease it and have to return it and there is more than normal wear and tear, you pay. If you own it and do not have to return it, remember that overhead cam engines are very succeptable to wear and tear in the valve train. The metals have to be heated and cooled at a regular, even rate for them to harden properly. Even race engines are "broken" in properly and easily to ensure that all moving parts are working, bedding in, and seating properly as the first wear occurs.
No, engines are not broken in during production, yes they do drive the car, slowly, from the assembly line to the storage area.
But, it is your car.

[JohnyM]

I agree with "Pete_Coach". Afterall they designed and build the car, and there is a good reason why they even have a breaking-in section in the manual.
Just follow the manual, _they_ know better about _their_ car.

[bluetroll]

lassallejai, do exactly what the owners manual says. It is easy to give advice like "drive it like you stole it" but remember this, it is your car not theirs. If you lease it and have to return it and there is more than normal wear and tear, you pay. If you own it and do not have to return it, remember that overhead cam engines are very succeptable to wear and tear in the valve train. The metals have to be heated and cooled at a regular, even rate for them to harden properly. Even race engines are "broken" in properly and easily to ensure that all moving parts are working, bedding in, and seating properly as the first wear occurs.
No, engines are not broken in during production, yes they do drive the car, slowly, from the assembly line to the storage area.
But, it is your car.

if you lease the car, it doesn't really matter.... as long as the car runs decent when u return it... it's fine.

[anabeces]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YSIg-eab60&mode=suggested&search=ford%20gt

[MasZakrY]

Cars are 4 stroke'rs, not 2 stroke. Traditionally in two stroke engines there is a methodic and labourous procedure when first breaking in an engine. In a modern car, the car has already been "test driven" at the factory and has no need to have the seals "broken in", or any other nonesense. :razz:

[br0pbr0p]

Every dealership has traditionally told people to not go above 3000rpm for the first 1000km to break in the new car engine. My friend did a tranny swap to his car from a reputable place that tunes cars for race tracks and even they told him the same thing. Must be a truth behind it.

Don't go over 3000 RPM? =\
I went over that like the first time I step on it. The dealer never told us that, they just told us not to use the Tip-tronic for the first 5000km or something.

[st7860]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YSIg-eab60&mode=suggested&search=ford%20gt

i wonder where he did his 200mph run

[deep]

A couple of pounds of sugar in the gas tank will.....wait....ah, break IN the engine. Sorry.

[GeneralCho]

I heard that you are not suppose to change the oil until the recommended kms because the factory oil contains special additives to help in breaking-in the car. I would just drive the car like normal and vary the kms but once the car warms up... DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT.

[Pete_Coach]

Cars are 4 stroke'rs, not 2 stroke. Traditionally in two stroke engines there is a methodic and labourous procedure when first breaking in an engine. In a modern car, the car has already been "test driven" at the factory and has no need to have the seals "broken in", or any other nonesense. :razz:
And the source of this information that makes OEM requirements nonsense is from where? I would like to see where they "test drive" all those cars that come off the assembly line every day?

[MasZakrY]

And the source of this information that makes OEM requirements nonsense is from where? I would like to see where they "test drive" all those cars that come off the assembly line every day?
My friend worked for a Ford assembly line and was one of the tech inspectors. This involved a short "obsticle course" of sorts.

[B0000rt]

vary the rpm.. and most importantly.. change the oil and filter often (500km, 1000km, 1500km) and DONT use synthetic until atleast 2500km. then adhere to regular service intervals.. lots of little bits of metal will dislodge when breaking in your engine.. you don't want that in your bearings..

I have been told that you should NEVER do this with Hondas, as they use a special break in oil.

Ask the manufacturer for their advice.

[Pete_Coach]

My friend worked for a Ford assembly line and was one of the tech inspectors. This involved a short "obsticle course" of sorts.
Yup, out the door, round the corner, down the road, around a parked car, back up and park beside it. Not much for you and me but I must admit my Wife finds it a challenge. If things get real tough then they drive it on the transport truck.

[aquariaguy]

Just listen to the manufacturer. They all say, not to "drive it like you stole it" for the first 1000km. They made it. They know. Listen to the manual.