break in

The "break-in" period of cars is pretty much gone nowadays, or so I'm told by most. Anyways, if you are to break in a car, you want to seat the piston rings both ways on the cylinder wall. This means not only hard acceleration, but hard downshifting to have the wheels drive the engine instead of vice versa. I'm sure you can find some information via google about break-in procedures, but this is information I've picked up from very trustworthy acquaintances. Good luck to you with the car, we all wish for many years of problem-free driving for you.

 

As you probably know, manual says do not exceed 4000rpm(cold) and 5000rpm(warm) for first 620mi. or 1000kms. Mechanic friend suggests long drives at moderate speeds for this period. At a max of 5000rpms, car moves quite quickly.

 

i think they do most of the "break in" at the factory before delivery?

 

I've been told "Drive it as hard as you can right out of the gate" and I've been told to follow the owners manuals recommendation all the way to 1200-1500 miles. I decided not to chance it on such an expensive car, but as many of you know i just had Ferrari fly me a brand new engine (long story). I am wondering wether I should break it in as the manual suggests or just drive it hard. I have an 06' 430 with 7000 miles on it, but an engine with ZERO miles driven. I've been out of the country for 2 weeks and have not driven it yet with the new motor. The car was delivered to my house while I was out of town. I'll be home in about 14 hours and the first thing Im going to do is take for a drive. The Tech at the shop says it now drives better than any 430 he's driven. All the guys in the shop are really excited about it. Anyway, I know for a fact that Ferrari punishes the new engines for at least 50 miles before letting go. I'll report back in about 16 hours ; )
Ape

 

I have always alternated breaking in my sports cars between driving them like they're stolen and easy morning drives. Never had a problem.

 

I never bronk is any of my new Ferrari's including the 430. I just them the way I loved to drive them from the start.

 

You guys should visit the factory and watch how they "break in" your car before you receive it!!

 

I posted this on another thread - "I spent a fair amount of time at the motor QA station. 100% of all motors were dyno "tested" which included after intial firing and warm up, 15 minutes @ 2500 RPM, 15 minutes at 4500 RPM, 15 minutes at 6500 RPM and 15 minutes at 8500 RPM. Motors that were in tolerances after that were put into cars. Those cars were then road driven, and then track driven. Fluids replaced. done."