Break-In a New Car

zero · 12-19-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname007

I've heard of that too....... maybe we should ask the ppl who dont have oil burning problems with the 03 G Coupes and see what break-in they did.

I did break in my 03 350Z as suggested by the manual. My 03 350Z has no issue with the oil burning what so ever... the rear bumper is always clean and the oil level is always full between the oil change.

joeyz10 · 03-12-2009, 01:46 AM

I thinkl i agree with one of the posts... drive it slowly for a few hunfred and gradually drive it harder and harder and hard! after 500 miles

import111 · 03-12-2009, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyz10

I thinkl i agree with one of the posts... drive it slowly for a few hunfred and gradually drive it harder and harder and hard! after 500 miles

This is exactly how I broke in my 370Z.

AK370Z · 03-12-2009, 03:31 AM

Currently I have 548 miles on the Z. Pre 500 miles I have RELIGIOUSLY maintained 4K rpm and below. On highway, I have switched between 5th and 6th gear every 10 minutes (Nissan recommends you to NOT drive in the same RPM for long time during break in). Now that I'm past 500 miles, I am keeping it under 5000 rpm. I think after 800 miles, I'll keep it under 5500 rpm etc. Just increase 500 RPM every 200 miles you drive ... (btw, this is just me. Nissan recommends below 4K all the way to 1200 miles.)

It takes a lot of patience during break in period. Having a 332 HP VQ engine under the hood and not able to rev it above 4K rpm is probably one of the hardest thing you will ever do. But it'll pay off in the long run.

NewYorkJon34 · 06-26-2009, 12:13 AM

I'm still breaking mine in, I have 250 miles so far, and I'm dying to see if this thing "pulls" or has decent torque

Silhouette · 06-26-2009, 12:47 AM

While breaking-in, do you guys turn off your synchro-rev match?

370Z Purist · 06-26-2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silhouette

While breaking-in, do you guys turn off your synchro-rev match?

Doesn't make a difference. When I downshift, I just make sure to be going sufficiently slow so as not to make the car rev itself above 6000. I break in my car a little different, I vary the RPMs and go different speeds, brake smooth, brake a little harder, etc. But I go to 5000, not 4000. I think that's just a bunch of crap to keep casting debris from going around too much. If I get to 1k miles this July, I'm doing an oil change. If August comes and I still haven't clocked that much, I'm doing an oil change.

Frankly, there's also a break in and bedding period for your tires, clutch, brakes (pad and rotor) and even your e-brake!

nicknick · 06-26-2009, 02:18 AM

I ran in my car very carefully and now at approx 37G km's it runs beautifully. I have driven an mx5 that was driven with no sympathy and it showed it. so i guess break in your car gently.

kannibul · 06-26-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

Break in period is overrated. I do believe it takes a little time until the brakes, clutch and tires are optimal, but I don't buy not revving past 4K.

Some actually advise on running the car hard to redline right away as it may yield more power and be healthier for the engine in the long run. Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

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.

Exactly, what's the difference between 4K and 7K to the engine?

Nothing...

I believe in breaking it in like I'm going to drive it...

I did take it easier in the turns...for me to get used the car, and also for the tires.

As someone who also has a motorcycle, new tires are SLICK. You have to put at least 25 miles on them before they get stickier. On a bike, you have to be careful on the corners until the wear area for how you ride gets worn in...

Anyhow...

One other thing - my MC has 13K on it now. From day 1 (with 8 on the odometer), I've ridden it like I stole it. It don't burn oil...

kannibul · 06-26-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

That might be taking the baby simile a little too far.

Ferrari engines are hand made.

Nissan Dyno's engines just like any other manufacturer to make sure its up to spec, that doesnt mean you have to beat the crap out of it when you get it.

Whats the point of risking it guys? do a few hundred miles under 4000, then the next few hundred gradually going up to redline till you get to 800-1000 miles. That way everyone is satisfied. Beating the crap out of a car to make it faster sounds a little silly to me. Let everything sit GRADUALLY. Neither the sissys nor the drive it like you stole its are right.

Gradual break in period.

Nissan dyno'ing the engine is beating the crap out of it at it's most fragile state.

LaSeeno · 06-26-2009, 03:04 PM

Drove it like I stole it after picking it up with 5 miles. 4xxx miles and it runs great.

Why would you break in (prep) an engine like grandma was driving before letting it rip? Makes no sense.

mattjk · 07-17-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

Break in period is overrated. I do believe it takes a little time until the brakes, clutch and tires are optimal, but I don't buy not revving past 4K.

Some actually advise on running the car hard to redline right away as it may yield more power and be healthier for the engine in the long run. Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

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.

I agree with the above. break a car in slowly and the rings will fail to seal properly and you will have a slow car.

Trips · 07-17-2009, 01:56 AM

can we read the OWNERS MANUAL once again can we read the OWNERS MANUAL

av370 · 07-17-2009, 02:09 AM

I have seen american V8s torn apart with 1500 easy miles and ridden hard with 1500 miles, the rings seat lower in the easy break in and when you ring it's neck the rings smack the lower"slow break in" seats in the cylnder walls resulting in lower power. I do not know if this applys in these modern tite clearance engines.

AH370Z · 07-17-2009, 03:03 AM

I will be running in my 370 when i get it, just how I ran my old XR6 Turbo (Aussie Ford)

1) Make sure engine is warmed up before going over 3000rpm
2) Alternate loading the engine up (full throttle) in 1st, 2nd, 3rd upto about 5000rpm, then back off and let it coast down, then repeat back up to 5000rpm. E.g 1st gear a few times, 2nd gear a few times etc (yes its very tedious)
3) do the above on roads with hills, so you are really loading the engine up.

When I did this on my old car, when it was stock, it had more torque than all the other same model cars on a dyno day I attended.

The car then was modified to 540hp with 750nm torque and had no oil problems at all.

03-12-2009, 03:31 AM	#34 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	Currently I have 548 miles on the Z. Pre 500 miles I have RELIGIOUSLY maintained 4K rpm and below. On highway, I have switched between 5th and 6th gear every 10 minutes (Nissan recommends you to NOT drive in the same RPM for long time during break in). Now that I'm past 500 miles, I am keeping it under 5000 rpm. I think after 800 miles, I'll keep it under 5500 rpm etc. Just increase 500 RPM every 200 miles you drive ... (btw, this is just me. Nissan recommends below 4K all the way to 1200 miles.) It takes a lot of patience during break in period. Having a 332 HP VQ engine under the hood and not able to rev it above 4K rpm is probably one of the hardest thing you will ever do. But it'll pay off in the long run. __________________ 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.

06-26-2009, 03:04 PM	#41 (permalink)
LaSeeno Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mars Posts: 129 Drives: NA Rep Power: 16	Drove it like I stole it after picking it up with 5 miles. 4xxx miles and it runs great. Why would you break in (prep) an engine like grandma was driving before letting it rip? Makes no sense. Last edited by LaSeeno; 06-26-2009 at 03:06 PM.

07-17-2009, 01:56 AM	#43 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,730 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	can we read the OWNERS MANUAL once again can we read the OWNERS MANUAL __________________

03-12-2009, 01:46 AM	#32 (permalink)
joeyz10 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 248 Drives: 09 370z AT/ RRSS 08/ Rep Power: 16	I thinkl i agree with one of the posts... drive it slowly for a few hunfred and gradually drive it harder and harder and hard! after 500 miles

06-26-2009, 12:13 AM	#35 (permalink)
NewYorkJon34 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 3,041 Drives: 09 Fairlady Z Rep Power: 1065	I'm still breaking mine in, I have 250 miles so far, and I'm dying to see if this thing "pulls" or has decent torque

06-26-2009, 12:47 AM	#36 (permalink)
Silhouette Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In the fastlane Posts: 36 Drives: BMW 330xi Rep Power: 16	While breaking-in, do you guys turn off your synchro-rev match?

06-26-2009, 02:18 AM	#38 (permalink)
nicknick Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 438 Drives: Mazda mx5 2007 6sp m Rep Power: 16	I ran in my car very carefully and now at approx 37G km's it runs beautifully. I have driven an mx5 that was driven with no sympathy and it showed it. so i guess break in your car gently.

07-17-2009, 02:09 AM	#44 (permalink)
av370 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: antelope valley CA Posts: 70 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 264	I have seen american V8s torn apart with 1500 easy miles and ridden hard with 1500 miles, the rings seat lower in the easy break in and when you ring it's neck the rings smack the lower"slow break in" seats in the cylnder walls resulting in lower power. I do not know if this applys in these modern tite clearance engines.

07-17-2009, 03:03 AM	#45 (permalink)
AH370Z Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Australia - Sydney Posts: 168 Drives: 11' 370z, 13' E92 M3 Rep Power: 16	I will be running in my 370 when i get it, just how I ran my old XR6 Turbo (Aussie Ford) 1) Make sure engine is warmed up before going over 3000rpm 2) Alternate loading the engine up (full throttle) in 1st, 2nd, 3rd upto about 5000rpm, then back off and let it coast down, then repeat back up to 5000rpm. E.g 1st gear a few times, 2nd gear a few times etc (yes its very tedious) 3) do the above on roads with hills, so you are really loading the engine up. When I did this on my old car, when it was stock, it had more torque than all the other same model cars on a dyno day I attended. The car then was modified to 540hp with 750nm torque and had no oil problems at all.