Is there a break in period - Redline off showroom floor

I've read several things in EVO (european car mag). The editor purchased his Maserati GT from new and was recommended by the factory on the drive home he'd have to keep it below 5000RPM for 1000 miles. The engine was already run in for an hour I believe, taking it in several stages (including 5 minutes full throttle), but the drivetrain isn't run in...

So yeah, in theory its possible but I would just do what the dealer has told you. Its not really nice to get an engine failure early in and especially the bill...

 

make sure you warm her up nicely and get all temps,especially oil, up to optimum operating range. then you are free to do as you wish. bear in mind that tires and brakes are not seated and bedded yet.

break-in is not really necessary imo. if something is meant to break it will........no matter how you drove the car.

 

no offense in touch, but I think opinions on this are better left to the manufacturer's owners manual. In this case, my manual states 1000 miles I believe. Don't take unnecessary risks which could work to void your warranty.

 

joe, i clearly stated that this is my personal opinion. i've had many cars from new and never adhered to the break-in recommendation of the manuals that came with the cars....and i am referring to performance cars.
i never had a problem with any of the cars....maybe it's just cause they are porsche's

you can load an engine and transmission without exceeding recommended break-in rpm. most engines will deliver their maximum torque numbers at or below the recommended break-in rpm ceiling.

you will find as many opinions on this issue as you will find car makes and models.

as said, the most important to an engine's trouble free operation is to make sure all fluids are within recommended operating temp. i never exceed 3000 rpm on my cars until the oil is at operating temp.

i have yet to hear of a porsche or ferrari dealer who refused to exchange a broken engine after 500-1000 miles because the engine was revved higher than the ceiling recommended for break-in.

now, overrevving, that's a different story........

furthermore, have you ever noticed that there are discrepancies in the break-in recommendation between USA and Europe ? they do exist. they might recommend different mileage depending on country.

it has more to do with a countries consumer laws than with the car itself.

some have also argues that break-in is for the driver...i.e the driver getting used to the car and it's performance.

just food for thought.....

 

Here is the standard engine/car final QA process for 8 cylinder Ferrari's:

- 100% of all motors were dyno "tested"; after intial firing and warm up includes:
- 15 minutes @ 2500 RPM
- 15 minutes at 4500 RPM
- 15 minutes at 6500 RPM
- 15 minutes at 8500 RPM
- Engines that were in tolerances were put into cars
- Cars were then road tested
- Cars track tested (Fiorano)
- Fluids replaced

 

Your owner's manual has break in instructions that last 600 miles. Read them. I figured the factory had a reason to put it in there and I broke mine in per the instructions. Others use the excuse that since the factory already ran the motors, etc. they beat on them right out of the box. There are 430's out there that consume quite a bit of oil. Mine has never used any (currently 13.7K miles), even with track use. Coincidence? I know that other makes will use oil when not broken in properly and the period is usually much longer than 600 miles. I think Porsches are 2K miles.

Dave

 

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I've always wondered about the above 'drive it like you done stoled it' procedure since I came across it
several years ago, but have not had a new engine(or the nerve) on which to try it.

Last break-in I did was with my 328 and for that I followed a specific procedure in this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Break-Right-Make-Your-Last/dp/0380755866/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230491914&sr=8-9

Basically a controlled up-down the rev range process, etc.

My engine runs fine, doesn't use much oil, etc. However, I'll never know how much the above helped or didn't matter.

When one considers how few miles most Ferrari drivers put on their cars, I sometimes wonder if break-in really matters much. These engines are stout enough that they'll probably last longer than most owners will have them.

 

all you have to do is see/hear the engine screaming on the dyno at 8500 rpm for 15 minutes to realize that it has already seen more stress than most of us are likely to throw at it over the life of the car.

 

I have to agree with this! The road test the hell out of the car before it leaves the factory. Yeah they put it in the manual, but why? Think about, the less stress, the less chance of finding a defective part. The longer they tell you to wait, the longer any of these parts may continue to barely perform. All good until your car is out of warranty and you have to pay out of pocket. I'd much rather find a faulty part as soon as possible. To each his own though!
-Matt

 

The RPM does not necessarily represent a high load or even high heat. The test may just be to ensure all the parts are bolted together properly. What I have heard from mechanical engineers and mechanics is that the rings must seat during the breakin period or they never will, hence oil consumption. No matter, mine uses zero oil, and runs better with 13K on it than even with 5K on it. Whatever, anyone who thinks they know better than factory engineers can try their luck and beat on it right away.

Dave

 

The only problem I see with a 1000 mile break in period is it might take some owners two years to get there.

But, if the book says break it in, why not do it? Go for a nice long drive, say 500 miles out, 500 miles back, and you're done. Makes a nice weekend trip, takes care of the break in period, then as you approach your house, stomp the gas pedal and see what she can really do.

DM

 

+1 Just to add a little more to the mix, you are also breaking in the drive train and diff. BMW places a different lubricant in their vehicles during break in for the diff and oil. Break-in for the M5 was 1000 miles and you can bet I followed the procedure. The rings getting properly seated has a lot to do with extended break in procedures.


Robert

 

If you're under the impression that running @ 8500 RPM for a sustained 15 minutes on a dyno does not generate operating temps or that it is done without loading the engine, then I suggest a little more research on modern dyno's. As I stated previously, spend some time at the engine QA station in Maranello; you'll see

 

Go to Maranello and watch the drivers do their shake-down cruises around town.

The motors, from my untrained ear, have been WELL beat-on/beat-up/revved hard, before they leave Italy.

 

I think it's cheap insurance (even if only psychologically) to hold off on putting down a full load/full range beating on the motor. Also, loaded engine braking provides vacuum to assist in running in the rings. Keep in mind that the clutches and brakes are also bedding in, so rev matching (manual) is a good practice rather than "popping" the clutch pedal when inducing engine braking. It's good to give the engine "limited" full throttle treatment. Don't "grandma" the thing, but don't beat it up either. 500-1000 miles of cruising is not a good break-in. Vary the rpms and gears as much as reasonably possible.

The "drive it like you stole it" credo has failed in many peoples faces with the result being excessive blow by/oil burning, and sometimes worse. In a race motor, who cares. It will be serviced every season or so. In a road car, different rules apply. In the case of modern F-cars, I'm certain the engine is "good to go" right off the showroom floor. Why risk it though. It's easy to put 500 miles on in a weekend

 

I have only broke in one car in the last 10 years, my 07 M6, BMW had some engine failures, and of course you do not get all 500hp until after the 1200 mile break in.

 

Is there a manual? Does anyone still read a manual? Thought all those books were simply for storing and passing on to the next owner