New car break-in period?

[mmutte]

For the mechanical engineers/car guys...

Does this still hold true for newer cars? I didn't think it was still needed...

I purchased a 2015 Yukon XL June 2015, brand new.

This past week I was looking through the owner's manual to figure out the towing capacity, and ran across the page instructing me to stay under 55mph for the first 500 miles. Let's just say, I didn't do that...

A week after purchasing I took it on a road trip and didn't stay under 55 mph for the first 500 miles. I have put just under 17k miles over this past year and it has done great. I love driving it and havent had any issues thus far(knock on wood).

Something that leads me to believe it's no longer needed is that during the test drive the dealer had me take it on interstate for about 15 miles and we definitely didn't stay under 55mph for that drive.

So, is the life of the engine at risk? or is this nothing to worry about?
Thanks for the input

Matt

[Kingair]

Floor it !

[swils8610]

Your fine. Drive and enjoy.

[T. Ferguson]

What does the owners manual say? Do that.

[GB-man]

You should read the back and forths between engineers on car forums about this. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has their opinion.

Personally, I drive all my cars hard from day one, provided the engine is up to temp. I also try to vary the rpms for the first few hundred miles (no cruise control).

[superdog]

I was told, a number of times that the break in period pertained to older cars.

The newer cars, with newer technology, oils, lubes, etc don't need it.

Go for it.

[Danny83]

Your fine congrats BTW you have a 36k warranty

[singe89]

Run it hard and vary RPM. It will help the rings seat properly. And this is really only true for high performance engines with forged Pistons.

I've had more than a few race engines in off-road race cars and we always broke them in on the dyno. We would do 10-20 full pulls then change the oil, drop it in the car and beat on it.

The staying under a certain speed has more to do with the ring and pinion meshing/wearing properly. When we put in a new rearend we would take it easy especially if there was a whine early on. After 100 or so miles we would swap the fluid and then hammer down.

Transmissions were swap, get up to operating temp and good to go.

I've blown a few engines and transmissions but most were due to excessive heat or inferior parts.

You shouldn't have any issues with modern production cars. The technology, quality of parts and tolerances are leaps and bounds ahead of where they were even 10 years ago.

Check out these torture tests...yes it's marketing but quality testing is much more extensive.

http://youtu.be/8tEqwXrqzH4

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Your fine congrats BTW you have a 36k warranty

Listen to Danny... He is our resident automotive expert!


I took it a little easy on my new car but I think you are ok. You would really have to do some serious things to cause major problems and if you got a lemon it will happen anyway. Congratz on the new Truck!

[GradyPhilpott]

I always read the manual for every new thing I get.

I'm no mechanic, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over your engine.

Judging from the car forums I've read, almost no one ever reads the manual.

They go on line and ask a bunch of strangers what they should do.

No offense, of course.

[Mick P]

Chaps

I bought a brand new Hyundai in Spain a few weeks ago and the recommended "breaking in" period was 1000 km (620 miles) and the formal advice was to keep the engine buzzing at 2000rpm -3000rpm.

Modern engines are brilliant.

Regards

Mick

[Limestonedan]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I bought a brand new Hyundai in Spain a few weeks ago and the recommended "breaking in" period was 1000 km (620 miles) and the formal advice was to keep the engine buzzing at 2000rpm -3000rpm.

Modern engines are brilliant.

Regards

Mick

For what it's worth, I picked up an Audi at the factory in Ingolstadt and they told me for the first 1000 kilometers no more than 3000 RPM's..

[RichM]

I'm from the school if it's in the Owners Manual it's been put there for a reason. My advice, follow the directions in the owners manual.

At least with GM it's the first 500 miles, my Ford Taurus SHO, 1000 mile break in period.

[The Libertine]

Hey Matt,

There are three prevailing views on this topic; which are, (1.) "drive it like you stole it" - to properly seal the rings, (2.) follow the manufacturers recommendations - they designed the car, (3.) one's own personal method.

Based on all the cars I owned, the two common points offered by manufactures across different makes and models is to avoid, (1.) driving at a constant speed, and (2.) excessive redlining - so that is what I generally follow. While there are the recommendations to avoid driving over "X" speed, that may not always possible based upon road conditions, etc. So, while I try to adhere to the speed restrictions, like you, I could not say I always did. But, I did follow points (1.) and (2.) above, and all my engines drove fine.

I expect your engine will be fine as well.

Mike.

[Andad]

Just delete this thread and don't mention this to a future buyer.

[beshannon]

Since I am not smarter than the engineers and people that wrote the manual, I follow what it says.

[mmutte]

Thanks for all the great info guys.
I'll keep on driving it hard

[Baco Noir]

Park it in a bad neighborhood, unlocked, with valuables in sight - I'd say the break-in period will be less than 15 minutes.

[PJ S]

^
If it’s left unlocked, it won’t be broken into – the doors will just be opened.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by PJ S

^
If it’s left unlocked, it won’t be broken into – the doors will just be opened.

I think Roger was referring to the break-in period of the engine. The thief will probably be driving it from the scene like a bat out of hell so it won't take more than a few minutes for the engine components to completely seat to each other, lol.

[rr-nyc]

Although I never keep a car long enough to see whether a proper break-in has long term implications, I always follow the owners manual.

If it truly didn't matter, I don't think they'd bother writing about the subject

[Sublover2166]

Your engine will be fine. The one thing you can do that in my opinion is very good for the engine is to run full synthetic motor oil. You live in Memphis where the weather is hot and use the SUV for towing. I use Mobil 1 in all my vehicles and lawn equipment and it is well worth the few extra dollars. Much better protection overall. Conventional oils just don't offer the same protection, IMO

[Lordofrolex]

I've never heard of this 55mph rule. I just thought your suppose to keep the RPMs below 4k for the first 500-1000 miles.

[cda555]

I have always heard is was keeping the car under 4K RPM as well. The only cars I have actually done that with are the WRX/STi because of the turbo. I think you will be fine.

[Widows Son]

Back in the day, especially with aircraft engines, you'd run non detergent mineral oil to break in the engine. Supposedly this would allow the rings to seat properly. Ages ago when I actually bought new cars, I'd change the oil and filter at 1000 miles. This is when You'll have the most metal shavings ect in the oil. If you go to synthetic oil do so after the first couple of changes. You shouldn't go back to conventional oil after using synthetic. Just brought a new (to me) Harley Ultra Classic in for a full service. Had all the fluids changed using all synthetic lubes. Shop owner said, see you in 6000 miles. Yikes, I can remember changing the oil in my other bikes every 1000 miles!!!

[Frosty]

When I took delivery of my Corvette at the National Corvette Museum, they were very insistent about the break in period over the first 500 miles. I was not going to argue with the guy at the Museum that had just taken me on a one-to-one tour of the Corvette Factory.

[Dyim]

Vary rpm
No cruise control
Don't lug the engine
Avoid red line if possible or at least wait until engine is fully warmed up if you are in the drive it like you stole it camp
Try not to tow (to avoid lugging engine)
55mph seems silly IMO.

[westinghouse]

Keep it under 4,000 rpms for the first 2,000 miles.

[dysondiver]

dont slog it and dont flog it , then change the oil ,,,,, after a service , oil and filter at a thousand miles drive it hard.
yes modern engines have finer tolerances , oils are better etc , but things still are not perfect ,,
just my views , but i have built a lot of engines in my time.

[RichM]

Check out the C7 Corvette, if Im not mistaken, GM went as far as making the color for the RPM's between 3500/4500 yellow for the first 500 miles. At the 500 mile mark, the yellow disappears, and it shows a 6500RPM red line. It's there as a reminder.

Seems like a lot of trouble for nothing.