How strict did you adhere to the 1,200 mile break in period??

ferrari_rich · 12-25-2009, 04:15 PM

how strict did you adhere to the 1,200 mile break in period??

I just took delivery of my new Z, has 71 miles on it now, and I'm anxious to really drive it to see how she will perform. I'm curious as to how strict fellow owners, adhered to the 1,200 mile break in period??

Opinions???

kannibul · 12-25-2009, 04:22 PM

By the time I read the manual, I'd already bounced it off redline a couple of times, and had taken it to 6K+ a few more times...

And I didn't change it a whole lot after that, just by that time I figured out that pushing forward on the stick, makes it change up a gear, and down makes it change down a gear...I just couldn't get it through my head for some reason for the first couple weeks, and that, having come from driving a manual for years. Then there's a couple times where I had it in manual mode and forgot, only to bounce it off the revlimiter after leaving a stoplight...

Overall, I could have been a LOT "worse" to it, according to the guidelines in the manual...but given my other vehicles, I was a bit harder on it from the getgo than my other vehicles, but, not terribly so.

IMO, drive it like you're going to drive it from day 1.

frost · 12-25-2009, 04:27 PM

There are probably dozens different threads on the break in period.

The infamous "break-in" period.

OldGuy · 12-25-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari_rich

how strict did you adhere to the 1,200 mile break in period??

I just took delivery of my new Z, has 71 miles on it now, and I'm anxious to really drive it to see how she will perform. I'm curious as to how strict fellow owners, adhered to the 1,200 mile break in period??

Opinions???

Meticulously.
What really angers me though is many salesmens' encouragement to the customer during the demo drive to "Go ahead, see what she'll do!" What's he care! He's not paying big bucks to buy that car. I just hope the 71 miles on my car when I bought it were put on by considerate potential customers who said, as I did, "I'll drive it but not abuse it. Someone is going to be buying this car, you know."

AK370Z · 12-25-2009, 05:23 PM

I kept it below 5K for about 1100 miles. Then all heII broke loose!

As frost pointed out, there are tons of break in threads. This topic has been beaten to death. Some says you should leave the showroom floor redlining the car while some follow the owners manual. I am just went by the Nissan Engineers and followed the break in procedure.

370Zsteve · 12-25-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari_rich

how strict did you adhere to the 1,200 mile break in period??

I just took delivery of my new Z, has 71 miles on it now, and I'm anxious to really drive it to see how she will perform. I'm curious as to how strict fellow owners, adhered to the 1,200 mile break in period??

Opinions???

Great question. I'm at 985 miles and I've only been over 4000rpm about three times (and only to 4500-5000), and that was over-exuberance getting the best of me.

What would be interesting would be to compare fuel/oil consumption and dyno numbers between those of us who listened to the advice of the car's designers and those of us who ignored the advice of the company that designed, built and tested the vehicle. It would have to be a large sample of folks, all dynos throwing different numbers and all.

370Zsteve · 12-25-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

I kept it below 5K for about 1100 miles. Then all heII broke loose!

LMAO, I see a similar scenario here in about 2 weeks if the weather gets warm enough, AK! Not many straight roads around these parts, and I'm wearing summer tires.

Bring on the January Thaw.

huff442 · 12-25-2009, 05:32 PM

Drive it like you stole it...

fatcat777 · 12-25-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

By the time I read the manual, I'd already bounced it off redline a couple of times, and had taken it to 6K+ a few more times...

And I didn't change it a whole lot after that, just by that time I figured out that pushing forward on the stick, makes it change up a gear, and down makes it change down a gear...I just couldn't get it through my head for some reason for the first couple weeks, and that, having come from driving a manual for years. Then there's a couple times where I had it in manual mode and forgot, only to bounce it off the revlimiter after leaving a stoplight...

Overall, I could have been a LOT "worse" to it, according to the guidelines in the manual...but given my other vehicles, I was a bit harder on it from the getgo than my other vehicles, but, not terribly so.

IMO, drive it like you're going to drive it from day 1.

ME TOO!! I baby them for about a day then i'm seeing what she's got. Engines are mostly broken in at the factory anyhow.

give this a read.

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

Zsteve · 12-25-2009, 06:08 PM

Well If I test drive a car, Im going to see what it can do. As long as you dont over do it, drive it like you would after the break in period. There is no proof one way or the other that being gentle or being hard on the car is good or bad.

WICKED_GRIN · 12-25-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari_rich

how strict did you adhere to the 1,200 mile break in period??

I just took delivery of my new Z, has 71 miles on it now, and I'm anxious to really drive it to see how she will perform. I'm curious as to how strict fellow owners, adhered to the 1,200 mile break in period??

Opinions???

It really doesn’t matter how you drive it, it’s just a car. When it’s sold or traded in, which you will in time, the used car market will dictate the selling price based on the public demand.

PapoZalsa · 12-25-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WICKED_GRIN

It really doesn’t matter how you drive it, it’s just a car. When it’s sold or traded in, which you will in time, the used car market will dictate the selling price based on the public demand.

Well I agree and disagree, but you are right on the used car market when is time to trade or sell.

I want to keep my Z for a long time so I'm trying to follow the break in period, however you never know.

Is good to read and get knowlegde from other people, it will help in the future.

WICKED_GRIN · 12-25-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huff442

Drive it like you stole it...

I agree. Drive it like you know it’s going to be sold/traded in for a better car in several years! It’s just a thirty something thousand dollar sports car!

WICKED_GRIN · 12-25-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

Well I agree and disagree, but you are right on the used car market when is time to trade or sell.

I want to keep my Z for a long time so I'm trying to follow the break in period, however you never know.

Is good to read and get knowlegde from other people, it will help in the future.

If something fails, you would want failure during the warranty period or you could drive it like a 16 year old girl going for a driving license if that is what makes you feel more comfortably!

PapoZalsa · 12-25-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WICKED_GRIN

If something fails, you would want failure during the warranty period or you could drive it like a 16 year old girl going for a driving license if that is what makes you feel more comfortably!

I agreee but we were talking about the breaking period NOT the warranty period.

Believe me that I will drive it like I stoled it after the break in period.

12-25-2009, 04:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
ferrari_rich Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: out of here Posts: 79 Drives: Z Rep Power: 15	How strict did you adhere to the 1,200 mile break in period?? how strict did you adhere to the 1,200 mile break in period?? I just took delivery of my new Z, has 71 miles on it now, and I'm anxious to really drive it to see how she will perform. I'm curious as to how strict fellow owners, adhered to the 1,200 mile break in period?? Opinions???

12-25-2009, 05:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	I kept it below 5K for about 1100 miles. Then all heII broke loose! As frost pointed out, there are tons of break in threads. This topic has been beaten to death. Some says you should leave the showroom floor redlining the car while some follow the owners manual. I am just went by the Nissan Engineers and followed the break in procedure. __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

12-25-2009, 06:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 22	Well If I test drive a car, Im going to see what it can do. As long as you dont over do it, drive it like you would after the break in period. There is no proof one way or the other that being gentle or being hard on the car is good or bad. __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

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12-25-2009, 04:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	By the time I read the manual, I'd already bounced it off redline a couple of times, and had taken it to 6K+ a few more times... And I didn't change it a whole lot after that, just by that time I figured out that pushing forward on the stick, makes it change up a gear, and down makes it change down a gear...I just couldn't get it through my head for some reason for the first couple weeks, and that, having come from driving a manual for years. Then there's a couple times where I had it in manual mode and forgot, only to bounce it off the revlimiter after leaving a stoplight... Overall, I could have been a LOT "worse" to it, according to the guidelines in the manual...but given my other vehicles, I was a bit harder on it from the getgo than my other vehicles, but, not terribly so. IMO, drive it like you're going to drive it from day 1.

12-25-2009, 04:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	There are probably dozens different threads on the break in period. The infamous "break-in" period.

12-25-2009, 05:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
huff442 Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NW Arkansas Age: 54 Posts: 309 Drives: 09 370Z 6mt Tour/Spt Rep Power: 16	Drive it like you stole it...