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Anyone breaking in their engine for the first 1,000 miles?
- Thread starter STTOM
- Start date
Yes, I did. Other manufacturers like BMW publish details on how to properly break in an engine. I used to have a BMW X5 M, and performed the below method for the break-in period.
Here is BMW's recommendation:
The right way to break in a new car
Many drivers wonder whether breaking in a new car is still necessary or if this practice has been superseded with the advances in technology. The answer? Yes and no...
Doing an engine break-in used to be a standard procedure with new cars. And it’s still the case that you should avoid running the engine at high RPM for the first 1,300 miles. Experts recommend a maximum 3,500 rpm and 90 mph in diesel models and 4,500 rpm and 100 mph in gas models. This will give the engine and transmission sufficient time to adjust to each other. Once you’ve reached the 1,300-mile mark, you can gradually increase your speed and your engine’s RPM. In particular, avoid putting too much strain on a cold engine. However, that’s true not just when breaking in a new car but for the whole life cycle of your car. Likewise, never turn off an engine that has been running hard. Allow it to cool down by driving a few miles at a gentle pace.
During the new car break-in period, take note of the following tips:
https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/break-in-a-new-car.html
Here is BMW's recommendation:
The right way to break in a new car
Many drivers wonder whether breaking in a new car is still necessary or if this practice has been superseded with the advances in technology. The answer? Yes and no...
Doing an engine break-in used to be a standard procedure with new cars. And it’s still the case that you should avoid running the engine at high RPM for the first 1,300 miles. Experts recommend a maximum 3,500 rpm and 90 mph in diesel models and 4,500 rpm and 100 mph in gas models. This will give the engine and transmission sufficient time to adjust to each other. Once you’ve reached the 1,300-mile mark, you can gradually increase your speed and your engine’s RPM. In particular, avoid putting too much strain on a cold engine. However, that’s true not just when breaking in a new car but for the whole life cycle of your car. Likewise, never turn off an engine that has been running hard. Allow it to cool down by driving a few miles at a gentle pace.
During the new car break-in period, take note of the following tips:
- For the first 200 miles, new tires will not yet provide full grip. This is because a release lubricant used in the manufacturing process has to be worn away from the tire surface. Adjust your driving accordingly to prevent accidents.
- Similarly, the brakes won’t become fully effective for the first 300 miles as the brake pads and discs will need to adjust to one other. You should, therefore, drive cautiously.
- The shock absorbers and springs will also need some time to become fully effective. That’s why you should not push your new car to its limits during the first 1,000 miles or so.
https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/break-in-a-new-car.html
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yeah, poor car saw all speeds and manners of driving.. 90 degree weather in orlando and a surprise snow storm in north carolina.. pulled over for speeding in south jersey, valet parked in disney springs, and got a chip in the windshield somewhere in georgia.. already fixed, already tinted.. we have a long history for less than a week of ownership.
My general break-in procedure is to avoid overly beating on the car (but still giving it the beans a few times here and there to help things bed in) for the first 1-2,000km, keeping the speeds varied, and changing the oil at 2-2500km, 5000km, and then again at 8-10,000km and going on a regular oil change schedule from there. Also if it was an option I would use a decent magnet on the oil filter to boost collection of metal particulate, but if I'm not mistaken the ST's oil filter is a plastic cartridge-style and not a spin-on so I'm not sure how I'll get that to work, if it all. Maybe a rare earth magnet with some good heat-resistant tape. We'll see. I still don't have the car in my hands yet so we'll have to see what I can come up with.
BMW and some other manufacturers have specific break in procedures. even the 20016-20 Ford Shelby GT350 does. However, I have not seen one for the ST. Is there one? I remember getting my 2011 Shelby American GT350 and requesting their recommendation. the reply was: "1) accelerate to red line. 2) shit to higher gear. 3) repeat #1 and #2 until reaching to top gear". Every engine, tire, drive train has a recommendation depending on the model and manufacturer. But what is the official word in print or the ST?
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