[Zero2Endless]

Does anyone know what the break-in point on the engines is? I haven't been redlining it or anything. It has almost 700 miles on it. The dealer said fluctuate the speed and how you drive it for 5 to 600 miles. Or is it at 3,000 miles after the first oil change?

 

[AGCube]

The manual says for the first 1,200 miles not to fully depress the accelerator and not to go over 4,000 rpm, also to vary your speed.

I've got 1,142 miles and have followed the manual's recommendations so far.

 

[none]

I followed the manual, too. Vary RPM's (which is easy to do it stop & go city driving) and don't try anything "performance" until after 1200 miles. Sure, "maybe" you can get away with abusing the engine right away... but why bother? Play it smart.

 

[Zero2Endless]

Thanks. I should have checked the manual! My mistake. But uh oh I have gone over 4,000 rpms. I haven't gone nuts revving it and flying around, but I should definitely play it by the book then. Thanks!

 

[none]

You'll be fine if you haven't gone nuts. Just play it cool.

 

[Square1]

Does anyone know what the break-in point on the engines is? I haven't been redlining it or anything. It has almost 700 miles on it. The dealer said fluctuate the speed and how you drive it for 5 to 600 miles. Or is it at 3,000 miles after the first oil change?

Zero, with today's technology and methods used to prepare engines for assembly, they don't really need a break in period. The engines of today are pretty much broken in at the manufacture before they leave the assembly line. All engines are test fired before they go out, and modern engines are broke-in in about the first 10 minutes or so after first start up. This doesn't mean it's OK to run WOT from the moment you drive it off the lot. It just means to drive it like you plan to drive it.....period. Like anything new, just use common sense and you'll be OK.

True, the owners manual may say something to the effect of driving it easy and varying the RPM for the first 500 miles or so, but don't most people drive that way anyway. The break-in procedure is a carry over from days past when it really did matter. But manufactures keep it in print as a CYA kinda thing. With that said, I like to replace my original oil at about 1000 miles on a new engine. It used to be 500 miles, before using synthetics, and although many cars come new with synthetic oil it's an old fear of mine stemming from the old day's when cars did need a break in. Rings used to take 1000 - 1500 miles or so to seat. So now I replace my original oil with synthetic at 1000 miles just to be on the safe side.


Some may replace the original oil with fewer or more miles than I do, but there's no right or wrong here, just do your thing.

But remember, more importantly than engine break in is everything else. The brakes need to be properly seated, in an AT car the tranny needs to be broke in, in a manual the clutch needs to be broke in. - Dan

 

[HCCAFan]

Breaking that CVT in would be more of a concern to me than the engine.

 

[Zero2Endless]

Phew! Well I just hit 1200 this morning!!! I drive a 6MT. So it should b efine by now. Imma start driving it normal then? Woo hoo? LoL.

 

[Zero2Endless]

And thx everybody. This is a very friendly forum. I broke it in driving into and around phx for a bit. Woo hoo!!!

 

[killercube]

Driving it like I always plan to. I remember my mechanic saying something along the lines as posted here that it is already broken in before delivery.....

 

[Zero2Endless]

So they are pre-honed? I believe all new cars are? Might as well play it safe. It determines the life/quality of the engine.

 

[Square1]

So they are pre-honed? I believe all new cars are? Might as well play it safe. It determines the life/quality of the engine.

Modern engines are honed using a ”cross hatch”or”sine curve” pattern. These methods make for a much faster and better break in as well as cylinder oil retention. - Dan

 

[Zero2Endless]

Ahh, that's good. I believe my sisters Mustang GT was pre-honed as well. Because 60k later it's still in great condition and she's been heavy-footing it since. Dan, you seem to be VERY knowledgeable! That's awesome!

-Omar

 

[Square1]

Ahh, that's good. I believe my sisters Mustang GT was pre-honed as well. Because 60k later it's still in great condition and she's been heavy-footing it since. Dan, you seem to be VERY knowledgeable! That's awesome!

-Omar

Omar, all engine cylinder bores are honed before assembly. But what has changed is the methods used. The more recent methods of cross hatch honing gives the cylinder bores a better pattern which makes rings seat much faster and better. Also aiding in ring seating is the ring material which has changed considerably over the years. Using these new honing methods along with better piston ring materials have made engines break in faster and last considerably longer. It's not unusual to see an engine in a car that's had regular maintainance run over 300,000 miles instead of 80,000 - 100,000 of engines using old methods and components.

BTW Omar, I've been building engines over 40 years and have learned a lot in that period. But there's always more to learn and things keep changing. - Dan

 

[damian666robin]

900 miles was the breaking point on the cube (automatic) and yes it did sudenly run better and respond much quiker

 

[Square1]

Although modern engines don't require a "Break-in Period" they will get better with some added mileage. Mine now has just over 3k and it run's much better than it did in the beginning. And my average mileage went from 27.7 to 33.8 (according to the indicator). Helping this is the addition of synthetic oil when I did my oil and filter change. - Dan

 

[Wildweed]

Why does synthetic oil give you better mpg ? may be a dumb question but i don't know, I have never used synthetic before but was thinking about it with my cube. this is the first New car i ever bought so any thoughts ???

 

[Square1]

Why does synthetic oil give you better mpg ? may be a dumb question but i don't know, I have never used synthetic before but was thinking about it with my cube. this is the first New car i ever bought so any thoughts ???

Synthetic oil is a lubricant consisting of chemical compounds which are artificially made (synthesized) from compounds other than crude oil (petroleum). Synthetic oil is used as a substitute for lubricant refined from petroleum, because it generally provides superior mechanical and chemical properties than those found in traditional mineral oils.

Simply put, it's a lot slicker and flows better. Back before modern cylinder prep used today, you wouldn't even consider synthetics till you had about 10k on the clock because the rings wouldn't break-in (seat properly). But on modern engines you can replace the fossil oil anytime. As a matter of fact, several new cars now leave the factory with a crankcase full of synthic oil. - Dan

 

[Wildweed]

Thanks i think i will switch over. Just have 500 miles on cube so might wait a bit

 

[Square1]

Thanks i think i will switch over. Just have 500 miles on cube so might wait a bit

I changed mine at about 700 miles but usually change at about 500, got a bit side tracked...LOL

I replaced the fossil oils on every new car I've bought since 2001 (I've bought a few) at about 500 miles and haven't had any problems yet (knock on wood). Synthetics will give you better gas mileage as well as added protection. Use a good quality filter (pure1, WIX, K&N) and stick to the recommended weight for your oil as recommended by the manufacture. - Dan