Engine break in procedure

[Myshelby3425]

An an engineer, here is what I find vague:



1. They say "Drive at least 100 miles before performing EXTENDED wide open throttle maneuvers."



That statement implies that it is acceptable to perform "non-extended" full throttle maneuvers when below 100 miles. So, what does extended mean in that context? A 0-60 run at full throttle is less than 5 seconds; is that extended? Maybe I should do a full throttle 0-60 brand new?



2. They say to drive at least 1000 miles before performance or competition conditions.



Well, what is a "performance" condition? Does that contradict the first statement and mean that we shouldn't do full throttle at all prior to 1000 miles? Or are they just saying don't go to a drag strip or street race? Or is "performance conditions" referring to cornering G's and braking?



Really, the statement from Ford about break-in is almost meaningless when trying to interpret it literally, and therefore I have to assume that break-in really isn't too critical to the overall performance. If it was, they'd have something much more precise.



IMO, the best info to takeaway from the instructions is the intent behind them. My understanding would be:



1. Always warm up the car before pushing it hard

2. It's OK to go WOT or to redline right away, just not for more than a few seconds at a time (and make sure you are warmed-up first).

3. Don't track it until you've hit 1000 miles.

4. None of this is very important (except the warm up part)



I'll be picking up my car in a different state, and will have a long HWY run home afterwards. It will be interesting trying to keep the speeds varied in order to prevent the "constant speed" issues that most break-in instructions recommend avoiding.



-T

100 miles then drive it like you stole it.. Way too much thought into it.


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[Strokerswild]

Refer to my previous post.... ;)

Case in point: Years ago I bought a new Harley V-Rod VRSCR. I broke it in how I break in any new engine I am entrusted with, either mine or a customer's - relatively hard, within reason. I recall reading many threads about guys with the same bike grumbling about oil in the airboxes from the PCV system, and their conclusion was that the H-D synthetic oil was at fault. Bullshit, I say! Mine has used that oil since Day 1 and, now, eight years later, I haven't seen any sign of any oil in my airbox. And it still flat out rips.

The problem: all these whiners were breaking in their bikes like old ladies.

Once that engine is hot and all systems are go, work it. It will never use oil and it'll be a stouter unit in the long run.

 

[Hack]

An an engineer, here is what I find vague:

1. They say "Drive at least 100 miles before performing EXTENDED wide open throttle maneuvers."

That statement implies that it is acceptable to perform "non-extended" full throttle maneuvers when below 100 miles. So, what does extended mean in that context? A 0-60 run at full throttle is less than 5 seconds; is that extended? Maybe I should do a full throttle 0-60 brand new?

2. They say to drive at least 1000 miles before performance or competition conditions.

Well, what is a "performance" condition? Does that contradict the first statement and mean that we shouldn't do full throttle at all prior to 1000 miles? Or are they just saying don't go to a drag strip or street race? Or is "performance conditions" referring to cornering G's and braking?

Really, the statement from Ford about break-in is almost meaningless when trying to interpret it literally, and therefore I have to assume that break-in really isn't too critical to the overall performance. If it was, they'd have something much more precise.

IMO, the best info to takeaway from the instructions is the intent behind them. My understanding would be:

1. Always warm up the car before pushing it hard
2. It's OK to go WOT or to redline right away, just not for more than a few seconds at a time (and make sure you are warmed-up first).
3. Don't track it until you've hit 1000 miles.
4. None of this is very important (except the warm up part)

I'll be picking up my car in a different state, and will have a long HWY run home afterwards. It will be interesting trying to keep the speeds varied in order to prevent the "constant speed" issues that most break-in instructions recommend avoiding.

-T

Well said and it echoes my thoughts. I think the only reason I have some slightly different thoughts is that the instructions I've seen for breaking in various other gasoline engines are intruding in.

Yeah we engineers may tend to over think according to some others, but frankly I enjoy over thinking things automotive. That's why I hang out here. And if I can do something slightly different during break in that gets me a few more HP over the long term, I'm going to do it.

 

[redline727]

Sucks for me. I'll never know about the first 29 miles. Someone broke mine in at the plant and came off the truck with 29 miles on it...then I had a 3 hour ride home from the dealership. I tried to vary my speed as much as possible while on the highway. Since then I always let my oil come up to normal temp and coolant before getting on it. Also give the trans a chance to warm up as it is a little notchy when it's cold outside. After that I usually open it up a few times whenever I drive it. And any WOT pulls I let the RPM come down gradually. I won't do any crazy hard shifts till after 1000 miles and will change my oil after 1K as well. As far as the BMW stuff goes I work at BMW as a service advisor. All the M cars have a scheduled 1200 mile service run in check. At that point all fluids are changed, Engine, trans, diff. As there are break in fluids that need to come out from the factory. But they don't do this on any other models. I personally think it's an M thing to make you feel special... No other model ships with break in fluids... I change my oil and filter after the first 1K as a personal preference. It makes me simply feel better. And it not being a daily driver I will do that no later than 1 year from the production date if I don't hit 1K before then. And will continue annually from that point.

 

[chill66]

Just drive like some crazy people do, gas...coast...gas...coast..

My wife and I are dying right now after reading this. Her dad is one of those crazies! Drives me insane and makes her sick to ride with him! Lol!!!!


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[jjw]

1. Always warm up the car before pushing it hard

Very good advice all around.
The "warm up" thing always applies.
Its always a good idea to let a car warm up fairly easy. It is also not good to start a car, move it and just shut it down. If its started, it should be warmed up to temp and driven with a little load. Of court this is more important for "built" carbed hot rod motors then factory injected motors, but it still applies if you have a factory beast that you want to take very good care of.

Also, load is good. Don't baby it after 100miles. I'm personally more prone to breaking in somewhat hard and changing the oil in 500mi intervals for the first 2 changes.

All said, the Ford procedure makes sense to me. Like T-holic said, its not all that critical.

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