Break-in period...what's really going on?

[CaptainJarvis]

Originally Posted by campy

There's 2 schools of thought, "take it easy" and "run it hard". They both have groups of believers and I have yet to hear anything about one being better than the other. All of their cars still work.

Just drive it. It's a modern car, and it's built with precision. Plus it comes from the factory with around 7 or so miles usually, so it's not like a brand new crate motor. Don't go crazy with it. Or do, like that guy who started tracking it after 500 or so miles. The engine will be fine.

I hear that the break in period is mostly for the clutch to break in, but I didn't know that until after break in and I treated my clutch poorly. It's still fine. It's a car made by Subaru and Toyota. Think about all the Subarus and Toyotas you see on the road that have a million miles on them, where the owners never even heard of "proper break in procedure".

Exactly. The real break in happens at the factory. The rings are seated before it ever leaves the dyno. Plus those of us who bought it off the lot, how many people "test drove" your car before you bought it? I had 20 miles on my car, that's at least a couple test drives of abuse. I think if toyota/suburu thought it was that big a deal the salesmen would mention it at the dealer prior the test drive. Either way, I LOVE this car!!

[Clembo]

My dealer had to travel almost 100 miles to get mine so it already had some mileage on it when delievered. How did they drive it? I don't know and I don't care. Once delivered I just drove it per the owner's manual. But I did have a few 'emergencies' where I just had to exceed the recommended RPMs! I have had no problems and have no concerns. At my age, the car will likely live longer than I will.

As for the ECU, yes, it will learn some fuel trims initially and re-learn if the battery is disconnected. Other than that, it's all just the normal stuff.

[ft_sjo]

Originally Posted by gzpermadi

For me I always wait until the temp needle reach the 1st bar.

Your oil will be barely luke warm by the time the water temp reaches that first bar. It takes a good 10 minutes of mixed driving to get your oil up to temperature.

[Flufffyninja]

Originally Posted by CaptainJarvis

Exactly. The real break in happens at the factory. The rings are seated before it ever leaves the dyno. Plus those of us who bought it off the lot, how many people "test drove" your car before you bought it? I had 20 miles on my car, that's at least a couple test drives of abuse. I think if toyota/suburu thought it was that big a deal the salesmen would mention it at the dealer prior the test drive. Either way, I LOVE this car!!

I hate to say it but the engine has hardly been run in the factory. It will get maybe 3 minutes of running on a bench completely unloaded in the engine production line. After that maybe around the same length of time of idling with a little bit of rolling road running to confirm gearbox assy/linkages and brakes etc. After that it'll be just driven to dispatch yards, on and off trailers and around lots. You can tell how far because the odometer is connected by the end of assembly and after that is not reset. That's hardly a run in.

[RAWR BRZ]

Originally Posted by Eurasianman

All I know is, is that the car manual suggests you not rev past 4,000 RPM for the first 1,000 miles unless it is an emergency. Seeing as they (Toyota/Subaru) built the car, I will follow their guidelines. And my gas mileage was around 28.5 MPG during break-in. Can't say I've seen better gas mileage since after the break-in

I had to do emergency maneuvers since i left the dealership. Can you believe the drivers these days??

[whaap]

I missed school the day engine break in was discussed so I have always figured the people writing the owners manual are smarter about the topic than I am. In any vehicle I've purchased (car/motorcycle) I've always followed the guidelines and will continue to do so.

[bdub85]

The only time I really strictly followed procedures to break in an engine is after I had an engine built with forged internals. Every brand new car I've had, I've beat on since the day I got it. I think the engines are built so well nowadays from the factory that it doesn't really matter. That being said, it's never a bad idea to follow the procedures in the owners manual.

[Mikem53]

Originally Posted by ft_sjo

Your oil will be barely luke warm by the time the water temp reaches that first bar. It takes a good 10 minutes of mixed driving to get your oil up to temperature.

Exactly.. Water temp is not what you go by.. My other cars had oil temp gauges.. The coolant temps would get up there right away.. But oil temps are slow to follow.. I always waited until I got 160 oil temp before getting on it..

[TylerLieberman]

Every vehicle I've ever owned, I did my "break-in" with the mindset of drive it how you're going to drive it everyday, but with caution. Never had an issue with my cars

For instance, if you just do a normal commute and every once in a while, open the taps, then just do that. Let the engine work and do what it's supposed to do. Be mindful though. If you beat on your car, don't spend the first 1,000 miles thrashing it. Drive in moderation. Let the engine work through the whole rev range from time to time.

I have 400 miles on my car and the highest it's seen is about 5,200rpms. I drive it how now how I'll drive it a year from now.

I agree with the above said though. Everybody will have a different method/answer on how to do it.

[sweetfrs]

mine didnt past 4k and i just hit 1000 on wenesday and i celebrated with a 1st 2nd 3 gear pull and it just blew me away. wasnt expecting nothing like that but that was it not doin that for a while lol