Break-In Period Info

[proficience]

Engine is already broken in before it even leaves the factory. All this is redundant. Just drive it like a normal person and everything will be fine. This is just another debate that will never be settled.

/thread

[Tyson]

by high load situations do you mean driving up a fairly steep hill?

[sierra]

Here's the part from Lycoming.
This part at the beginning under 'Beak-In' says it all.

There is no need to conduct any special break in operation for the –AE2A engine other than avoiding long periods of operation at low power (less than 65%) or prolonged idle. Engine break-in is normally completed within the first 50 hours time in service.

http://www.lycoming.textron.com/supp...-400_rev_2.pdf

[JDMenrique]

Originally Posted by clevrname

They make those recommendations with the fact in mind that a small percentage of the automotive customer base are certifiable idiots and could break an iron ball with a rubber hammer.

this is awesome.

[whaap]

Originally Posted by cuddefred

But the manufacturer also wants to save money so they urge on the side of ultra caution - just like they do with the ECU etc., so they have a vested interest in making it so no-one pushes their cars to the limits. Modern engines do not need running in like they used to.

I know this will always be a controversial subject but I too like the side of ultra caution. They have a vested interest and I have a vested interest. That is a win-win to me.

[Pete]

Usually posts this long get boring quick but this was a good read, well done.

I am at 4400 miles (just did my 2nd oil change, 1st was at 800 miles) and I swear it feels like it is pulling harder now than when I got it, I figured it was just me getting more comfortable with the car but maybe the engine is getting nice and broken in now. Nice write up!

[eikond]

Nice write-up.. except it's all a moot point.

Engines are hooked up to a rig and tested and broken in at the engine factory before they leave final assembly. They are run up and down the revs multiple times to ensure proper initial seating of the piston rings. They are then sent to the auto assembly line where they are installed in the car and then they are run again through a brief break-in and test period. After they come off the line they get driven out to large parking lots by attendants who are instructed to get there quickly and get back.. same drill loading onto trains and boats.

Bottom line is this: You can do about 95% of the seating of piston rings in the first few minutes to an hour of operation. That is done at the engine factory and vehicle assembly line. The last bit of seating takes up to 5,000 miles to accomplish and that will be accomplished by the owner of the car.


And yes... this is a debate that will never end. Ultimately you, as the owner of the car, need to make a choice and stick with it.

[clevrname]

[QUOTE=eikond;521680]Nice write-up.. except it's all a moot point.

Engines are hooked up to a rig and tested and broken in at the engine factory before they leave final assembly. They are run up and down the revs multiple times to ensure proper initial seating of the piston rings. They are then sent to the auto assembly line where they are installed in the car and then they are run again through a brief break-in and test period. After they come off the line they get driven out to large parking lots by attendants who are instructed to get there quickly and get back.. same drill loading onto trains and boats.

Bottom line is this: You can do about 95% of the seating of piston rings in the first few minutes to an hour of operation. That is done at the engine factory and vehicle assembly line. The last bit of seating takes up to 5,000 miles to accomplish and that will be accomplished by the owner of the car.


And yes... this is a debate that will never end. Ultimately you, as the owner of the car, need to make a choice and stick with it.[/QUOTE]

Agree.

I didn't post this up to spark controversy or see what kind of rants I could get. I simply did it because many people understand the basics of how their car wants, some enthusiasts understand it a little bit more. I thought it was just a good write up on how the engine works for people who may not 100% understand. In the end, we will all break in our cars differently and that's the good part about owning our own car, you can do what you please, whenever you want.

[JLMtm]

When I first drived it off the lot I hit the highway to get back home which was a combination of driving the speed limit and driving really slow because of traffic, other then that I would drive it normally with a few over the speed limits moments on the highway , until recently I've been pushing it to 100mph for less then a min and floored it once, havent red lined it since its an automatic , currently at 850miles so far ,
should i even be worried about this?

[BoostedWrbBrz]

When I got my 2010 Camry V6 I beat the ever loveing piss out of it since day 1. Saw redline multiple times a day every day. Mobile 1 oil change at 1000 miles. Then every 3 after that. And let me tell you. That car didn't ever skip a beat. 93k miles when I traded it in and it didn't even burn a single drop of oil. That's what I'm doing with the frs. Already changed the oil.

[sierra]

Originally Posted by eikond

Nice write-up.. except it's all a moot point.

Engines are hooked up to a rig and tested and broken in at the engine factory before they leave final assembly. They are run up and down the revs multiple times to ensure proper initial seating of the piston rings. They are then sent to the auto assembly line where they are installed in the car and then they are run again through a brief break-in and test period. After they come off the line they get driven out to large parking lots by attendants who are instructed to get there quickly and get back.. same drill loading onto trains and boats.

Bottom line is this: You can do about 95% of the seating of piston rings in the first few minutes to an hour of operation. That is done at the engine factory and vehicle assembly line. The last bit of seating takes up to 5,000 miles to accomplish and that will be accomplished by the owner of the car.


And yes... this is a debate that will never end. Ultimately you, as the owner of the car, need to make a choice and stick with it.

I think the break in comments are fantasy. Some engines may well be tested for quality control but I doubt all engines are bench tested and when they are it's to test the function of the components, not to help run it in. It's probably not even under load. Why would they bother?
All they are concerned with is doing the least amount of work to get the cars out the door without any problems. That's what quality control is all about.

[sierra]

My sister picked up her new CX-5 yesterday and I was reading through the owners manual. This is the 2L 4 cylinder 13:1 direct injection petrol engine.

Running-In Period
No special running in is necessary but a few precautions in the first 1000km may add to the performance, economy and life of your Mazda.

Do not race the engine.
Do not maintain one constant speed, either slow or fast, for long periods of time.
Do not drive constantly at full throttle or high engine rpm for extended periods of time.
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
Avoid full throttle starts.
Do not tow a trailer.

That's it. Drive it normally but if you want to be fussy follow the tips and it 'may' make a difference.