Proper Break-in Procedure

[KeyWestLes]

My dealer tells me that there is no break-in period or procedure on new vehicles anymore, so zipping along in the TC on the highway is not an issue. Is that true? Since I'm old school, I'm having difficulty accepting this.

[mustang]

your dealer is full of

it's in the owners manual.................................

BREAKING-IN

You need to break in new tires for

approximately 300 miles (480

kilometers). During this time, your vehicle

may exhibit some unusual driving

characteristics.

Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000

miles (1600 kilometers). Vary your speed

frequently and change up through the

gears early. Do not labor the engine.

Do not tow during the first 1000 miles

(1600 kilometers).

Edited August 5, 2014 by mustang

[bikinchris]

The owners manual doesn't say a whole about break in and nothing unusual. In fact, it might as well say "Don't drive like a fool"

"Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000 miles (1600 k). Vary your speed frequently and change through the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Do not tow during the first 1000 miles."

Not whole lot. Even though the dealer might say not to do it, I would do the first oil change a little earlier than the schedule says..

Edited August 5, 2014 by bikinchris

[Johnyguy]

The owners manual doesn't say a whole about break in and nothing unusual. In fact, it might as well say "Don't drive like a fool"

"Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000 miles (1600 k). Vary your speed frequently and change through the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Do not tow during the first 1000 miles."

Not whole lot. Even though the dealer might say not to do it, I would do the first oil change a little earlier than the schedule says.

i would go easy on it and vary speed frequently like mostly city driving let the engine change trough the gears fast till the first 1000 miles, i would change the oil at 300 miles and than at 600 miles just to be sure its clean but dont use synthetic oil until broke in.

i would not tow till 1000 miles. i would not even use air conditioner its just me i know maybe its a overkill .

i do my oil change myself so its not a big deal for me i enjoy doing it.

[KeyWestLes]

Thanks... One of the things I always wondered about: No one breaks in rental cars according the manuals. Rental cars are abused in many ways, but a reputation of engine issues don't seem to be one of them.

[bikinchris]

True. Todays engines are head and shoulders above the quality of older engines. I would guess that without abuse, the engine in the TC would easily do 300,000+ miles. The 4.6l V8 does 500,000+ in taxi service with the same technology.

[HeyZeus]

Break it in like you want to drive it later. Change the oil early. I just drive mine. Some days easy, some days hard. I will change the oil early and use good oil. Very the RPMS and just drive it.