How to drive on the Highway during Break-in?
 

Trying to keep the revs under 4k as much as possible during the break-in period.

I always believed that accelerating in the highest gear was a no-no (hard on the engine). The problem is if i'm doing 70-80 in 6th, I can't drop down to 5th without the rpms shooting over 4k.

Any thoughts? Short term issue as i'm going to get enough miles on the car to pass the break-in.

I just did a 500 mile highway trip where I varied my speed enough to run between 2700 and 4000 RPM. Traffic wasn't heavy so I was able to slow down and speed up without annoying anyone.

Use break in oil to get the rings seated quicker and better.

Don't worry about it.

You want to be putting load on the motor. There’s nothing wrong with using 6th gear to accelerate at 3K RPM.

The whole point of breaking the motor in is to seat the rings using moderate to high cylinder pressures (progressively increasing). That’s going to be in the 3-4K RPM range with moderate to heavy throttle.

Don't use cruise control

Never lug the engine in high gear at low speeds. This rule applies at all times.
Below what rpms is lugging in the 2.4 engine? I don’t practice the wrong techniques.

Do you feel the motor struggling? Vibrating? Failing to accelerate? That's lugging. If the motor can't pull the gear for you, you're lugging it.

https://youtu.be/IvRA6zoeUG8?t=204

Is the break in period in the Japanese owners manual 1000km rather than 1000m? I saw someone mention it in another discussion and found this video of a Japanese owner changing the oil after 1000km (3:24 into the video).

Yes

The US manual states:
New Vehicle Break-In Driving – the First 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
I was hoping I would only have to drive 1000 km ~ 600 miles to finish the break-in period.

no reason you can't choose to do that. but if something breaks later, is it worth it?

With peak torque at 3700, break-in will be less excruciating than the old engine. With the last one you'd have to quit winding right in the dip.

I plan a couple of trips to the coast from SW WA (plus the initial 170 mile drive home). Winding hill will be the perfect way to vary gears and RPM.

I never drove the first gen, but I think the 2.4 has plenty of pull up to 4000 for city driving. Even after the break-in, I'm not usually going past 5000 given the traffic around here.