I hate engine break-in!

[artistalana]

I had to drive my car 1.5 hours home when I bought it. I know I did 80 some of that time because I was following someone whose cell phone was out...I didn't want to go that fast but she was and I had to follow. I wasn't sure about engines...is it that I shouldn't go fast or that I shouldn't floor it? (speed up quickly)

I will admit I have a tach but have no clue how to use it.

I still just have 200 miles on Lil Nuggest so someone save her before I kill her...I know NOTHING about car mechanics.

I drive in automatic (obviously)

what should I do and not do?? Or did I Really screw up bad going 80 at the birth of her life?

[rawlus®]

a good start is to read the owner's manual.
pg 168

The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later on.
• Drive your vehicle during the first
1000 miles (1500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.
• During this period, avoid heavy loads (full
throttle driving) and excessive engine
speeds (no more than 2/3 of maximum rpm in
each gear).
• Shift gears in a timely manner.
• Do not attempt to slow the vehicle down by
shifting to a lower gear.
• Avoid accelerating by kickdown.
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you may gradually
increase vehicle and engine speeds to the
permissible maximum.

[artistalana]

I actually read that...it's not in "car stupid" English though.

what's 2/3 of an rpm? And how do I know if I'm in it?

what's a moderate speed? Does that mean I shouldn't get on the highway at all?

seriously, I am 100% girly and I dont speak that.

I"ve always had long lasting cars though so maybe it's like the oxymoron that cats who only get their first year of shots statistically live waaaay longer than those that are taken for their yearly shots. Maybe sometimes those who just let the car do it's thing wind up being ok too?

Somehow it all just works out? :-)

Seriously though, Id prefer to actually get a clue on this one and treat it the best I can. So any insite would be good...the manual is spoken in guy-talk. I can't comprehend that chapter.

[artistalana]

and heres the thing...

since I already had to follow someone home doing 80 or get lost in San Antonio...that first day...

I haven't driven fast since then.

Ive kept the car in automatic so I dont have to worry about shifting down when I shouldn't or up "in a timely manner" etc so I'm good there

ya think it's okay that the car went fast at first but I'm not doing that anymore?

[rawlus®]

if top speed is 90mph, then moderate is probably in the 55-60 range or so.
when they speak of 2/3 rpm, they're really talking about taking it easy accelerating - don't drop your foot to the floor and let the engine rev high in each gear up to speed. accelerate more slowly from stop lights.
likewise, don't downshift coming to a stop where you'd rev the engine high - like a tractor trailer throwing the jake-brake. (tho if you're using auto mode this isn't a concern)

the break-in period is mostly about not putting heavy loads on the engine before it's been worn in a bit.

so no drag-racing at the stoplights for a few thousand miles.

one stint at 80mph shouldn't hurt it, so i wouldn't freak out or anything with worry, but i also wouldn't recommend doing 90mpg for the next 600 miles either.

in simple, layman's terms - take it easy for the first 1000 miles.

most people should be able to understand that.

[artistalana]

now THAT makes sense!!!

thank you!!

no more highway for awhile...

[yuckmoon]

artistalana, sounds like you've been driving the same way I did the first week. My car is just fine. No worries.

[SmartCard]

our break-in period with the smart went by without too much ado. Did keep it a little more in Auto mode, esp. since one or two manual mishaps (forgetting and over revving, as noted above.) Not nearly as tough as waiting to fully unleash the 210hp in my JC Works MINI S during its break in period!!

[NuBiker]

Originally Posted by toogrvy

I also keep it in manual mode to prevent "lugging" the engine as I've heard this can do as much harm as over-revving. I did my best to keep the revs in the midrange for the first 1000 miles............then I floored it!

I agree - lugging the engine probably is worse than anything else you might do.
I suppose not running at a constant speed for miles and miles on the freeway would be the next worse thing.
Varying the engine revs, not over reving it, and not lugging it.

That sounds about right.

[SuperGeek]

I drove mine for the first 600 miles at almost constant speeds of 65, 70 and 75 MPH. I noticed around 500 miles on the odometer that my tach showed around 2800RPMs to reach a speed that it used to read 3000RPMs. The car feels fine. My engine spent 500 of those miles between 2800 and 3200RPM. The AC was on most of that time as well, due to thunderstorms approaching. I wish I knew then how to get out of Texas on the smaller roads. I-10 is a horrible road.