Wife drove my Z in 1st gear on the highway

2bits

I took deliver of my new 370z LAST NIGHT, and she drove it to work this morning. She leaves. Ten minutes later calls me on my cell to say the car is loud and lurching, and to ask what rpm she was supposed to stay under during break-in. I say we should try to stay under 4k, and she says "but then I'd only be going 20". Doh! I tell her to put it in D.

She had the engine running at around 7k rpm for a couple miles, and ultimately confessed that she smelled something burning.

Bottom line, what should I look out for? Do I have to worry about long term damage to the drivetrain? I assume the burning was something organic such as plastic, rubber, or fluid. Any ideas?

I've since driven it all day without issue. No smell at all. You'd never know, but it's eating me up until I find out what "burned".

TheStig

You need to look out for a new wife, thats what.

BanningZ

Ouch! Might want to take it in to the dealership and mention the smell, but omit the whole driving in 1st thing.

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MB 06' Nismo VQ40DE

BMW Killa

Thanks, very helpful and informational.

ChrisSlicks

That's why you get a manual, then the wife wont want to drive it.

Not sure what would be burning unless she managed to get the oil temp up to 280 that quickly, doesn't seem likely. Although the engine was revving high, it wasn't under load.

zZSportZz

I know its probably not right for me to laugh at reading this...but I kinda did.

It was more of an OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME kinda laugh though.

Then again, I could see my gf doing the same thing...which is why she can't take the car without adult supervision.

AK370Z

I don't think she caused too much damage (or any in this case). What she has done is same as taking your car to the track straight from the dealer and driving at 6-7K rpm for 15-20 mins. Many people track their car as early as 100-200 miles. Is it recommended? NO. Do they still do it? Yes. Does the car drives fine in the long run? usually. The plastic burning smell is normal. I still get that in my car and it's been 1150 miles already.

You are more than welcome to get the car checked at your dealer but if everything is running fine, I wouldn't bother. Seems like you wife did an "express break in" on your new Z...haha Enjoy!

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Musashi

You're car is fine. Nissan's engines are bulletproof. I've had 2 G35's, a G37 and drove them like I stole them from day 1 to trade in. Nothing your wife could do would break it. I promise you. Forget about it, and enjoy your new Z...

2bits

My wife's a keeper. I'd lose the Z before I traded in my wife. Fortunately for her, knowing cars isn't a prereq. I can tell who the single or divorced guys are in here.

Thanks AK370Z and Musashi. That's exactly what I hoped to hear. I had a feeling that everything was fine, but there's this little guy on my shoulder telling me the engine or tranny will die at 61k. I've heard that these VQ's are tough, but I didn't expect it to expel a burning smell on day 2, either.

I have heard some folks say "to hell with break in, drive it like you stole it" and everything turned out fine for them. Looks like I've joined that party.

BTW, getting 35% pinnacle ceramic tint and clear bra tomorrow. First one in the Seattle area with a 370Z at Accutint. Maybe the first 370Z with tint and/or clear bra in the area.

frost

Good luck mate, sure it's fine. Don't listen to these guys, cars are great, but sex with them is probably awful.

zsport1

The wife or the car?

2bits

You know it's bad when the sponsors are piling on too.

travisjb

these engines are made to run 200,000 miles and are routinely abused during media rides, test drives, dealer promos, etc... you're fine dude ! rest easy... i can personally assure you that any abuse of this engine will start a series of rev limiter decrements (aka limp mode) that will protect it from driver-induced destruction

the fact that the sponsors are pilling on - aside from being really amusing ! - only reinforces that you're AOK !

drive on bro !

2bits

Interesting, I've heard of 335's limping, but I didn't know the Z limped too. Good to know. Thanks.

Josh@STILLEN

I have to admit.. the phrasing and delivery was immaculate..

This is the equivalent of 'The Office' and a "That's what she said.." comment..

You're on an automotive testosterone-driven forum.. of course you'd hear this..

That being said.. I think you will be fine.. I doubt the smell would have been any different if you were raging through gears for a good canyon run and jumped out with everything being as new (or old.. try it) as the car is..

Getting it up to temp and back down will emit smells and "tings" from things heating up and cooling down..

I'd say break-in period achieved.