The infamous "break-in" period.

MightyBobo · 04-10-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

I have no earthly idea who you could be referring to with that last little bit about 160-mph junkets.

Heathens.

JTso · 04-10-2009, 08:10 PM

Some actual data (instead of speculation) from the different approach (break-in easy or drive it hard) would be nice. Do a compression, leak down, and oil analysis test, as well as a couple of dyno runs after a predetermined miles would show the effect of each approach.

In2Deep · 04-11-2009, 10:43 AM

An engine-builder friend once told me that over the first 1,000 miles
- Drive a new motor as you would normally around town
- For a performance engine -- run her through some higher rpm's every 75-100 miles, but not to redline. Ever. So, 10-12 run-throughts up through higher rpms within the first 1000 miles
- NEVER drive for a long period at the same speed (long trip) during this 1000 miles. but...
- take a 250 mile drive somewhere, on the freeway without stopping, and spend 10 minutes at a time holding various speeds, faster and slower. something like this.

10 mins at 55...then speed to....
60....10 minutes at 60...then speed up to...
70....10 minutes at 70...then slow to.....
55....10 minutes at 55...then speed up to...
75....10 minutes at 75...then slow to...
50....10 minutes at 50...then speed up to...

60....
Repeat.

spearfish25 · 04-11-2009, 10:49 AM

What benefit is there to holding the car for 10 minutes at a time at RPMS that are only going to differ by maybe 1000rpm b/w the slowest and fastest speeds (50 and 70mph)? Seems to me that varying between 2000rpm and 3000rpm won't be of much additional value.

dad · 04-11-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In2Deep

An engine-builder friend once told me that over the first 1,000 miles
- Drive a new motor as you would normally around town
- For a performance engine -- run her through some higher rpm's every 75-100 miles, but not to redline. Ever. So, 10-12 run-throughts up through higher rpms within the first 1000 miles
- NEVER drive for a long period at the same speed (long trip) during this 1000 miles. but...
- take a 250 mile drive somewhere, on the freeway without stopping, and spend 10 minutes at a time holding various speeds, faster and slower. something like this.

10 mins at 55...then speed to....
60....10 minutes at 60...then speed up to...
70....10 minutes at 70...then slow to.....
55....10 minutes at 55...then speed up to...
75....10 minutes at 75...then slow to...
50....10 minutes at 50...then speed up to...

60....
Repeat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

What benefit is there to holding the car for 10 minutes at a time at RPMS that are only going to differ by maybe 1000rpm b/w the slowest and fastest speeds (50 and 70mph)? Seems to me that varying between 2000rpm and 3000rpm won't be of much additional value.

The engine it self needs a variety of fluctuating speeds, it will help it in the future to handle different speeds and performance.

tbonesteak · 04-11-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwany

I dont know about Nissan so I cant say how they test there vehicles, but I do build the RX for Lexus and I can say that the tests we put it through before it comes "off-line" and ready to ship, make any reasoning for a 'break-in' period, mute

Wow very interesting information, from an actual builder from Lexus. So can you elaborate on what kind of testing is done prior to delivery? Thanks.

LaSeeno · 04-11-2009, 02:58 PM

All these ideas are pretty much hogwash imo.

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

Quote:

The Problem With "Easy Break In" ...
The honed crosshatch pattern in the cylinder bore acts like a file to allow the rings to wear. The rings quickly wear down the "peaks" of this roughness, regardless of how hard the engine is run.

There's a very small window of opportunity to get the rings to seal really well ... the first 20 miles !!

If the rings aren't forced against the walls soon enough, they'll use up the roughness before they fully seat. Once that happens there is no solution but to re hone the cylinders, install new rings and start over again.

spearfish25 · 04-12-2009, 09:07 AM

I always like the 'first 20 mile' hypothesis because it puts the responsibility on Nissan and I could just drive like crazy when I got the car

frost · 04-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Pretty difficult since most people will get their cars with more than 20 miles. But I do like any excuse to drive the hell out of a car.

>135I · 04-12-2009, 04:23 PM

I had a guy at the dealership tell me that my Z didnt really have a break in period because of the way its laser cut but I'm still giving it 500 miles just to make sure.

semtex · 04-12-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by >135I

I had a guy at the dealership tell me that my Z didnt really have a break in period because of the way its laser cut but I'm still giving it 500 miles just to make sure.

Any chance this dealership guy also told you that S-mode increases the power?

>135I · 04-12-2009, 05:27 PM

Actually no, I wouldn't have believed him if he did.

frost · 04-12-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Any chance this dealership guy also told you that S-mode increases the power?

Rofl, don't worry. I got it.

mrrrkva · 04-12-2009, 11:57 PM

I think Black boxes record more than we think. I took European deliver of my Bmw and when I got back the salesman knew I did 135mph before 1000 miles and also knew that i averaged 18 miles at 110 mph. He made light of situation, but always left a thought in my mind about warranty issues. Im taking it easy in my Z for the first 1500 miles

mrrrkva · 04-12-2009, 11:58 PM

Also isnt Nissan VOIDING warranties in the GTR if the owner takes off the VDC during launches? Must be something in the black box

04-11-2009, 10:49 AM	#34 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	What benefit is there to holding the car for 10 minutes at a time at RPMS that are only going to differ by maybe 1000rpm b/w the slowest and fastest speeds (50 and 70mph)? Seems to me that varying between 2000rpm and 3000rpm won't be of much additional value. Last edited by spearfish25; 04-11-2009 at 10:52 AM.

04-12-2009, 05:27 PM	#42 (permalink)
>135I Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Radcliff, KY Age: 42 Posts: 409 Drives: 2003 Cobra Rep Power: 16	Actually no, I wouldn't have believed him if he did. __________________ I will miss my Z. I hope she goes to a good home.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Break-In a New Car	TacoZ	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	88	08-01-2012 04:37 PM
New Car Break In	joeyz10	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	48	12-07-2010 06:17 PM
Break In Period?	The Geek	Engine & Drivetrain	48	03-02-2010 08:40 AM
** "INFAMOUS" Z + G MEET Feb 21, 2009 **	Boba	Southern California Region	4	02-22-2009 01:23 PM
Break Down	370z2	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	10	01-25-2009 03:13 PM

04-10-2009, 08:10 PM	#32 (permalink)
JTso Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: WA Posts: 12 Drives: Hopefully a 370Z Rep Power: 16	Some actual data (instead of speculation) from the different approach (break-in easy or drive it hard) would be nice. Do a compression, leak down, and oil analysis test, as well as a couple of dyno runs after a predetermined miles would show the effect of each approach.

04-11-2009, 10:43 AM	#33 (permalink)
In2Deep Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 48 Drives: Plat Graphite Spt/Tr Rep Power: 16	An engine-builder friend once told me that over the first 1,000 miles - Drive a new motor as you would normally around town - For a performance engine -- run her through some higher rpm's every 75-100 miles, but not to redline. Ever. So, 10-12 run-throughts up through higher rpms within the first 1000 miles - NEVER drive for a long period at the same speed (long trip) during this 1000 miles. but... - take a 250 mile drive somewhere, on the freeway without stopping, and spend 10 minutes at a time holding various speeds, faster and slower. something like this. 10 mins at 55...then speed to.... 60....10 minutes at 60...then speed up to... 70....10 minutes at 70...then slow to..... 55....10 minutes at 55...then speed up to... 75....10 minutes at 75...then slow to... 50....10 minutes at 50...then speed up to... 60.... Repeat.

04-12-2009, 09:07 AM	#38 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I always like the 'first 20 mile' hypothesis because it puts the responsibility on Nissan and I could just drive like crazy when I got the car

04-12-2009, 01:50 PM	#39 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	Pretty difficult since most people will get their cars with more than 20 miles. But I do like any excuse to drive the hell out of a car.

04-12-2009, 04:23 PM	#40 (permalink)
>135I Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Radcliff, KY Age: 42 Posts: 409 Drives: 2003 Cobra Rep Power: 16	I had a guy at the dealership tell me that my Z didnt really have a break in period because of the way its laser cut but I'm still giving it 500 miles just to make sure.

04-12-2009, 11:57 PM	#44 (permalink)
mrrrkva Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Staunton, Va Posts: 23 Drives: 370z sports pkg 6spd Rep Power: 16	I think Black boxes record more than we think. I took European deliver of my Bmw and when I got back the salesman knew I did 135mph before 1000 miles and also knew that i averaged 18 miles at 110 mph. He made light of situation, but always left a thought in my mind about warranty issues. Im taking it easy in my Z for the first 1500 miles

04-12-2009, 11:58 PM	#45 (permalink)
mrrrkva Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Staunton, Va Posts: 23 Drives: 370z sports pkg 6spd Rep Power: 16	Also isnt Nissan VOIDING warranties in the GTR if the owner takes off the VDC during launches? Must be something in the black box