Break in period

[LanceLane174]

Is anyone else not sure they can keep from driving agrressively for 1000 miles?

And should you get an oil change after the 1000 miles?

[soundman98]

It's not that bad to do once.

Just follow the manual. I don't believe they say anything about changing the oil. It can't hurt, but not really sure that it helps anything other than peace of mind.

[tenderization]

Went through the same process with my 2017 WRX. Wasn't that bad, though I think I accidentally exceeded the "4k rpm rev limit" once. I actually had a 1,300 mile road trip that partially overlapped with the break in period, and just used that as an excuse to do periodic downshifts and acceleration (e.g., "45 to 75" ) on the freeway. Didn't do any special early oil changes, just did the first one at the standard 6,000 interval (possibly 1-2k miles early because it was just before a 2,200 mile road trip).



No engine issues from new to four years later when I sold it at ~44,300 miles.

[Kona61]

I tend to be really bad at fully breaking cars in per the manual. Supra lasted like 300 miles before I drove it "spiritedly". Only part of the car with no issues has been the motor lol.

I'm of the opinion that the majority of the car's break-in happens quite early on and that it's changing the oil early that is the most important.

I'd say go a few hundred miles. Do some engine braking to seat the rings, drive it somewhat aggressively below 4-5k (not revving the piss out of it but also not absolutely babying it), and change the oil before 1k.

[Blighty]

Disclaimer - engine break-in is a weird and wonderful topic attracting many opinions. This is mine.

Its fine to pull after 100km, ensure you have been driving for a bit already though - do not do it while cold.

Physics say two things, you need enough friction to made a good piston ring seal within the first 100km or 1 hour of driving (for an aluminium engine), and that new engines put under high heat/load risk permanent damage from initial manufacturing defects within say the fist 1000 - though I'm just using manufactures claims with the latter.

So, if you want both good piston seal and allow time for the manufacturing defects to gradually be removed, then keep to the limits specified in the manual, made sure you initially change your warmup process particularly in the first 100km (piston ring seal will be done in this time) and do not let it idle its way to being warm, vary it between 1-2k revs. Make sure when you go for a drive use the full range recommended (4k or 5k limit or whatever the manual says), don't baby it too much on low revs. And don't use cruise control for at least 100km either.

If your an absolute nutter you can also change your oil at around 100km, put in some good stuff.

After 100km you can relax but keep it below 5k if you really want to stick by the manual, otherwise the odd pull to redline when the car is warm is fine. Some actually recommend a redline pull during the first 100, but aluminium engines just don't need that kind of force to bed in.

[alphasaur]

I personally do 1k mile oil change on any brand new car, I also vary RPMs and get on it slightly here and there. I don't hammer the car all the time but I think getting into the power band and having good vacuum is a good idea.

[Baldeagle]

I believe Porsche still recommends a 2,000 mile break-in period. If I recall, the reason was less about rpm and more about heat cycles. The concern was going right to maximum “race-heat” metal expansion quickly. Apparently that can hurt a brand new engine. The break-in goal is to have each heat expansion cycle be just a little greater than the last. To control the heat cycles, the implication is to not drive too hard (not exceed 50% max engine rpm) and to always mix it up during break-in. Start softer for the first 100 miles and gradually use more throttle and rpm as the miles increase.

[TommyW]

To do it right per IAG warranty who’s motor I have, you use break in oil and change at 50 miles, then again at 500 then at 1,500 then regular changes with Synthetic. Under 4,000 rpm for 500 miles.