New engine break-in method

[eqwalker]

I did a search but did not get any results so I started a new thread.

I will have to drive my smart over 5 hours to get back home once I pick it up, 95% of it freeway. Is there any thoughts on whether this will harm the new engine running on the freeway? Or, should I plan a route that will involve slower speeds and more "stop & go" traffic? I have heard that it would hurt one and I have heard that it would not. Any others have a long way to drive when they pick up their smart? Any comments? I do plan on using synthetic oil in my smart once the first change comes due.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by eqwalker

I did a search but did not get any results so I started a new thread.

I will have to drive my smart over 5 hours to get back home once I pick it up, 95% of it freeway. Is there any thoughts on whether this will harm the new engine running on the freeway? Or, should I plan a route that will involve slower speeds and more "stop & go" traffic? I have heard that it would hurt one and I have heard that it would not. Any others have a long way to drive when they pick up their smart? Any comments? I do plan on using synthetic oil in my smart once the first change comes due.

There are a number of theories on engine break-in, but one thing common to all of them is to not run it at a constant speed. If you go interstate all the way home you may be forced by traffic flow to run at a fairly constant rate whether you want to or not. Might be more fun to take a secondary route where you can change speed easier, play with the gearbox more, and grin back at the up-close folks.

For myself, while at the dealer to pick up the car, I would buy a spare OEM oil filter. Upon arrival home I would take the new filter to an auto supply place and determine a proper substitute for future use. Then do your first oil change - sounds like you will then have about 400 miles on it, a good enough time for the important first oil and filter change. In my case (50 miles from the dealer) I would likely do it at 300 miles.

[jwight]

Agree with fish on this; had the same situation when we picked up our Vette in Bowling Green and returned home via Interstates. Just varied speed but more importantly rpm by changing gears regularly. Good to have some spares from the dealer before you head out for home. And see what the owners manual recommends. Good luck!

John

[bucketboss]

Check with the Dealer on first oil change. In the past I thought the same and was told by VW specifically that they didn't not want you to drain the oil too soon. They explained that the factory oil is kept in for a minimum period to aid break-in. Take this w/ a grain of salt. I may have been mis-informed but please check first w/ the dealer.

[tipo158]

Originally Posted by bucketboss

In the past I thought the same and was told by VW specifically that they didn't not want you to drain the oil too soon. They explained that the factory oil is kept in for a minimum period to aid break-in.

I was told the same thing by the Mazda dealer concerning my wife's CX-9.

I leave the initial oil in the car for a couple thousand miles. Sometime I change the filter during this period, though.