Break-In a New Car

MindFusion FX · 11-19-2009, 01:11 PM

the 1 mod i wish i woulda of done was a reflash..the vtec kicks in at 6100 stock..and after 8500 it wont go anymore. with the reflash you hit vtec at 4500 and it'll rev past 9..don't know how high it'll go cuz the guage only shows 9.

Kastley85891 · 11-19-2009, 01:31 PM

Yeah a number of people have really gotten a hold of the VTEC system and made some great imrpovements

Mark5092 · 11-19-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

There is also some speculation, that break-in periods still exist to allow the new owner to get accustomed to the car which protects the car company legally.

Gurps · 08-31-2011, 12:55 PM

Guys,
I bought my car off the lot with 50miles on it. No idea how those 50 miles were driven.

I have driven it quite "normal" since I got. However, two times I punched it on the highway and the RPMS hit 7000 for a brief period of time, say 2 secs both time.

I know the manual says not to go over 3000 rpms, so is this a potential issue if I touched 7000 rpm if only briefly?

I just don't want any oil burning issued down the road. My last care burned oil and it was a nightmare.

11Thumper · 08-31-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurps

Guys,
I bought my car off the lot with 50miles on it. No idea how those 50 miles were driven.

I have driven it quite "normal" since I got. However, two times I punched it on the highway and the RPMS hit 7000 for a brief period of time, say 2 secs both time.

I know the manual says not to go over 3000 rpms, so is this a potential issue if I touched 7000 rpm if only briefly?

I just don't want any oil burning issued down the road. My last care burned oil and it was a nightmare.

Stupid to ask now, you already drove it to 7,000rpm despite knowing what the manual says. Why?. You should buy a few cases of oil now since you'll be adding a quart every 100 miles.

Gurps · 08-31-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

Stupid to ask now, you already drove it to 7,000rpm despite knowing what the manual says. Why?. You should buy a few cases of oil now since you'll be adding a quart every 100 miles.

Actually I did not know untill now.
When I drove off the lot the dealer told me that there was no need to break in the car. I went with what he told me. Only after reading around when I got home did I find out. It was after the fact that I found out, I went with what the salesmen told me.

Gurps · 08-31-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

Stupid to ask now, you already drove it to 7,000rpm despite knowing what the manual says. Why?. You should buy a few cases of oil now since you'll be adding a quart every 100 miles.

Do you have some evidence to back up the claim I will be burning a quart every 100 miles?

Gurps · 08-31-2011, 03:48 PM

Also, my car still only has around 200 miles on it.

scottIN · 08-31-2011, 03:49 PM

Your car was probably redlined the second it hit the US shore. When I lived in Charleston, we'd sit down at the port and watch them unload the BMWs from the ROROs.
Those guys would come flying off the ship, sideways through the gravel, full throttle across the parking lot (few hundred yards), skid it into a spot, jump out, slam the door and run back and get another one. They were *not* concerned about proper break in procedure...

Gurps · 08-31-2011, 03:54 PM

That is my whole point. Unless you buy a car with zero miles, a few people would have driven it. And most would be driving it hard. Yet the manual says to go easy.

Plus, people test drive etc and I am sure they push the car hard. Hopefully, those test drives don't lead to problems down the road.

mjg · 08-31-2011, 04:11 PM

I doubt a few test drives, or one abusive moment is enough to ruin a car during break in, or there are any special rules for break in... just common sense. The over all day to day use of the car at a earlier point I think can have a positive influence on the car, or at least get you some to see if everything works right.

I've had my car almost a month, and waited until around 1150 miles to finally get on the car, wouldn't rev past 4k, or do any very aggressive driving. I babied it, let people pass me, and took the time to really get a feel for the clutch, do mostly driving in traffic, cruising around, and familiarizing myself with the feel of the car...

Gurps · 08-31-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjg

I doubt a few test drives, or one abusive moment is enough to ruin a car during break in, or there are any special rules for break in... just common sense. The over all day to day use of the car at a earlier point I think can have a positive influence on the car, or at least get you some to see if everything works right.

I've had my car almost a month, and waited until around 1150 miles to finally get on the car, wouldn't rev past 4k, or do any very aggressive driving. I babied it, let people pass me, and took the time to really get a feel for the clutch, do mostly driving in traffic, cruising around, and familiarizing myself with the feel of the car...

That is how I have felt about the subject. Drive it right over 95% of the time during the break in period and it should be fine.

11Thumper · 08-31-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurps

Do you have some evidence to back up the claim I will be burning a quart every 100 miles?

Yes, I have tons of evidence to backup my claim. In fact, I have 3,000 binders full of documented and certified proof from Mr. Nissan himself.

Did you actually believe my comment? I guess so since you believed the sales person about no break-in required. No offense to you, this isn't personal, but it makes no sense why you would buy a new car and run it almost to redline prior to reading the manual. You already drove it to 7k so why even ask now? What difference would asking the question make?

Will it damage anything? Probably not...but it wasn't a very smart thing to do in the first place.

Gurps · 08-31-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

Yes, I have tons of evidence to backup my claim. In fact, I have 3,000 binders full of documented and certified proof from Mr. Nissan himself.

Did you actually believe my comment? I guess so since you believed the sales person about no break-in required. No offense to you, this isn't personal, but it makes no sense why you would buy a new car and run it almost to redline prior to reading the manual. You already drove it to 7k so why even ask now? What difference would asking the question make?

Will it damage anything? Probably not...but it wasn't a very smart thing to do in the first place.

You are right...it does not make a difference now and no offense taken.

My car is a auto. All I did was punch the gas for a second and the car took off. I wanted to see how quick it accelerated. This was during my test drive. I remember the rpms shooting up to 7000 before coming right down as I slowed down right away. I just find it amazing that you can buy a car without driving it and testing to see how it handles and how much power it has etc.

When you guys test drove your cars, did you not drive them somewhat hard?

As for the salesperson. Yes I did believe him. I had no reason not too.

Snakes709 · 08-31-2011, 06:33 PM

Drive it like you stole it. Thats how you break it in. I got my evo with 25km on it. Wen to the drag strip that night. Just past 4000kms and did my first time attack race the other night and the car runs amazing.

08-31-2011, 06:33 PM	#75 (permalink)
Snakes709 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,205 Drives: 2011 Evo-X GSR Rep Power: 18	Drive it like you stole it. Thats how you break it in. I got my evo with 25km on it. Wen to the drag strip that night. Just past 4000kms and did my first time attack race the other night and the car runs amazing. __________________ 2011 Evo-GSR AMS 2.4 stroker/ bore, FP Black build in progress. Sponsor: DSG Performance Last edited by Snakes709; 08-31-2011 at 07:37 PM.

11-19-2009, 01:11 PM	#61 (permalink)
MindFusion FX Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 132 Drives: Getting a 370 Soon Rep Power: 16	the 1 mod i wish i woulda of done was a reflash..the vtec kicks in at 6100 stock..and after 8500 it wont go anymore. with the reflash you hit vtec at 4500 and it'll rev past 9..don't know how high it'll go cuz the guage only shows 9.

11-19-2009, 01:31 PM	#62 (permalink)
Kastley85891 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ATX 370 - Sold Posts: 1,149 Drives: 2003 Wagon Rep Power: 18	Yeah a number of people have really gotten a hold of the VTEC system and made some great imrpovements

08-31-2011, 12:55 PM	#64 (permalink)
Gurps Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 93 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 14	Guys, I bought my car off the lot with 50miles on it. No idea how those 50 miles were driven. I have driven it quite "normal" since I got. However, two times I punched it on the highway and the RPMS hit 7000 for a brief period of time, say 2 secs both time. I know the manual says not to go over 3000 rpms, so is this a potential issue if I touched 7000 rpm if only briefly? I just don't want any oil burning issued down the road. My last care burned oil and it was a nightmare.

08-31-2011, 03:48 PM	#68 (permalink)
Gurps Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 93 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 14	Also, my car still only has around 200 miles on it.

08-31-2011, 03:49 PM	#69 (permalink)
scottIN Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Castle, Indiana Posts: 764 Drives: '12 370Z Rep Power: 55	Your car was probably redlined the second it hit the US shore. When I lived in Charleston, we'd sit down at the port and watch them unload the BMWs from the ROROs. Those guys would come flying off the ship, sideways through the gravel, full throttle across the parking lot (few hundred yards), skid it into a spot, jump out, slam the door and run back and get another one. They were not concerned about proper break in procedure...

08-31-2011, 03:54 PM	#70 (permalink)
Gurps Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 93 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 14	That is my whole point. Unless you buy a car with zero miles, a few people would have driven it. And most would be driving it hard. Yet the manual says to go easy. Plus, people test drive etc and I am sure they push the car hard. Hopefully, those test drives don't lead to problems down the road.

08-31-2011, 04:11 PM	#71 (permalink)
mjg Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: nyc Posts: 243 Drives: 13' GT 500 Rep Power: 16	I doubt a few test drives, or one abusive moment is enough to ruin a car during break in, or there are any special rules for break in... just common sense. The over all day to day use of the car at a earlier point I think can have a positive influence on the car, or at least get you some to see if everything works right. I've had my car almost a month, and waited until around 1150 miles to finally get on the car, wouldn't rev past 4k, or do any very aggressive driving. I babied it, let people pass me, and took the time to really get a feel for the clutch, do mostly driving in traffic, cruising around, and familiarizing myself with the feel of the car...