How do you break-in your new engine?

spearfish25 · 08-23-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKindaGuy

I know...I realized I left the manufacturer's one out so I tried to edit the post but I couldn't edit the poll choices itself. So I tried to delete the poll and re-enter it but I couldn't delete it either. So that is why I said to assume the second one as the manufacturer's recommended. The second choice of the three choices is the closest to that of the manufacturer and is in the spirit of being in the middle of the two extremes.

Sometimes when reading someone's posting you have to think of what it is saying in its overall spirit of meaning instead of with excrutiating letter-of-the-law exactness. If people would do that in this world then perhaps things wouldn't be so strained all the time between people.

I'm not trying to strain any relationships here...just help you in the future by suggesting searches rather than reinventing the wheel. I'm sorry but 'driving <= 65mph and giving it the hammer now and then' in no way echos Nissan's suggestion of keeping the rpm < 4k for 1200mi. Nissan recommends RPM rather than speed limits for a reason. If they said to keep it under 55mph, some idiot would drive around in 2nd gear all the time at 6k RPM. Regarding the posting issue, you can always send AK a message and he can help you with editing as well.

In any event, good luck with your car. It's a ton of fun, and any way you choose to break it in will be fine as long as you're not at an extreme (drag strip tomorrow). Pick something in-between and that will help you sleep at night instead of worrying about how you're treating your new car. I can tell you that I just drove mine fairly aggressively and it's doing beautifully at 4,000 mi now.

shawnal · 08-23-2009, 09:52 AM

How much damage do you think can be done if soon as I got my new z I just drove like a animal first 1000 miles

need4speed · 08-23-2009, 10:21 AM

On sports tuned engines I baby em 1500 miles. 55 to 65mph. 4700rpm max.
Then I set up as many track days as I can fit in to begin my break in process.

1st I bring it to a steady 100mpf for 2 track days
Then 115mph for 2 more track day
Then a steady 130mph for 2 more track days.
Then a steady 145mph with a push to top speed a few times.
All my sports cars had the capability of hitting 160+mph.

Once its gone thru this process n as close to 3500mi as possible.
I do an oil change n fluid upgrade to UHP fluids n MOBIL 1 OIL.
When I get my Z.@I will be confused on this part.
Not sure to go with ester oil or go with my traditional MOBIL1?

frost · 08-23-2009, 12:17 PM

^ been a member for 2 months and just made his first post

Anyway, I keep hearing people say don't drive hard or you will have problems; but I actually have yet to meet anyone who said "yeah, I have all these engine problems now because I drove too damn hard when I got her."

spearfish25 · 08-23-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

^ been a member for 2 months and just made his first post

Anyway, I keep hearing people say don't drive hard or you will have problems; but I actually have yet to meet anyone who said "yeah, I have all these engine problems now because I drove too damn hard when I got her."

I agree. I DID kill one of my cars though...but it wasn't related to engine break-in. I had an awesome AA Yellow Landrover Defender 90 which I got used with 30k miles on it. I used it to tow a heavy boat for a few summers and by 60k miles the engine was a disaster.

If driving my Z too hard when I bought it turns out to be an issue, I'm sure the car will be long gone before that issue ever arises...otherwise my 5 year powertrain warranty can take care of it.

frost · 08-23-2009, 01:27 PM

how heavy was the boat compared to the tow rating?

spearfish25 · 08-23-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

how heavy was the boat compared to the tow rating?

It was right at the limit...I think the rating and boat were both about 8,000 lbs.

frost · 08-23-2009, 01:31 PM

Oh, I thought the moral of the story was that you were towing something way too heavy. lol. Too bad, I wouldnt have expected that from a LR

spearfish25 · 08-23-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

Oh, I thought the moral of the story was that you were towing something way too heavy. lol. Too bad, I wouldnt have expected that from a LR

They were and, from what I've heard, continue to be disasters of maintenance problems. It's too bad because I really like the new LR3 coming out. Given my LR experience, I bet that taking a new Z to the track for a solid week straight could hurt the longevity of the motor. On the flip side, revving to 4-5k and a redline here or there during the first 1000mi probably won't hurt a thing.

havasuwiley · 08-23-2009, 06:20 PM

i kept rpms 4k and under for the first 1000 miles ,except when passing "left lane loosers" you know those brain dead drivers who hog the left lane and never move over even thou no one is in the right lane! they 're usually under the speed limit and compleatly unaware of their surroundings,really piss me off and make me pass them quickly..

View Poll Results: How did you go about breaking in your new 370Z engine?
Baby the car - never drive over 55 and never put the foot into it for the first 1000 miles.	20	24.39%
Drive it <= 65 MPH and give it the hammer for a few seconds now and then.	31	37.80%
Drive the bitch like you stole it.	31	37.80%
Voters: 82. You may not vote on this poll

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08-23-2009, 09:52 AM	#17 (permalink)
shawnal Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: norwalk ct Posts: 33 Drives: PG 7AT TOURING SPOR Rep Power: 16	How much damage do you think can be done if soon as I got my new z I just drove like a animal first 1000 miles

08-23-2009, 10:21 AM	#18 (permalink)
need4speed Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: tx Posts: 199 Drives: 08 altima 3.5se Rep Power: 16	On sports tuned engines I baby em 1500 miles. 55 to 65mph. 4700rpm max. Then I set up as many track days as I can fit in to begin my break in process. 1st I bring it to a steady 100mpf for 2 track days Then 115mph for 2 more track day Then a steady 130mph for 2 more track days. Then a steady 145mph with a push to top speed a few times. All my sports cars had the capability of hitting 160+mph. Once its gone thru this process n as close to 3500mi as possible. I do an oil change n fluid upgrade to UHP fluids n MOBIL 1 OIL. When I get my Z.@I will be confused on this part. Not sure to go with ester oil or go with my traditional MOBIL1?

08-23-2009, 12:17 PM	#19 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	^ been a member for 2 months and just made his first post Anyway, I keep hearing people say don't drive hard or you will have problems; but I actually have yet to meet anyone who said "yeah, I have all these engine problems now because I drove too damn hard when I got her."

08-23-2009, 01:27 PM	#21 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	how heavy was the boat compared to the tow rating?

08-23-2009, 01:31 PM	#23 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	Oh, I thought the moral of the story was that you were towing something way too heavy. lol. Too bad, I wouldnt have expected that from a LR

08-23-2009, 06:20 PM	#25 (permalink)
havasuwiley Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: lake havasu city az Posts: 131 Drives: 09 370z, 03 z06 etc Rep Power: 16	i kept rpms 4k and under for the first 1000 miles ,except when passing "left lane loosers" you know those brain dead drivers who hog the left lane and never move over even thou no one is in the right lane! they 're usually under the speed limit and compleatly unaware of their surroundings,really piss me off and make me pass them quickly..