Okay, so I picked up my new MCS a couple days ago. My MA didn't say anything about a break-in period, but I have seen others mention this in other posts. What has everyone been told, or what protocol are you or have you followed? I haven't had a chance to sit down with the Owners Manual yet, is there something described there regarding break-in?

 

Be gentle with the brakes. Don't rev above 4500 or drive faster than 100 mph. Vary your engine and vehicle speed. They say to change oil and filter at 18,000 miles or when the computer says to. General wisdom is to change it at no higher than 7,500 miles. Read the manual ASAP.

 

How long is the break in? 1,500?

 

When I got my JCW, I was told no more then 5,000 RPM and 90 mph for the first 500 miles some say 1,000...
You do want to vary your speed.. at least in older cars the piston rings had to seat and the cylinder bores had to hone right.... But todays cars are running synthetic oil and not changing the oil and filter until 10,000 or 18,000 miles seems off...but "they" "MINI" feel it's ok to do so..

I was also told that todays cars are machined to such close tolerances and better materials they really don't need a break in period...

After playing with my new car I feel the break in period isn't really for the car as much as it is for the driver to get used to the quirks of any new or new to them vehicle...

I've been driving/rideing all types and size 2,4- 6 wheel vehicles for the past 27 yrs.. in all types of weather, road conditions and speeds...

But in the first few weeks/ months of owning my MINI... I pushed it more then I probably should have and got the serious pucker and turtle responce out of my body ..

When you get your car go out and enjoy it...They are fun little cars..It may take a while to get used to some of the controls while driving that's why I say it's driver break in period ..ie: turn signals that turn on wont shut unless you tap the lever, try to open a window 1/2" with out it dropping down all the way or 10" then trying to go up and it stops 3" from the top or closes all they way and you have to start over 6x til you get it... and after you played with the windows you found out you turned on or off your front and rear fog lights... let's not get into the windsheild wipers front/rear if it's misty out

All that comes with your break in period... enjoy welcome to the family...

 

lol yeah going from a ford explorer v8 all wheel drive to a mini i will need to break in time for me to get used to the big change

 

I picked mine up last Wednesday and my MA said not to go over 5,000RPMs (I've gotten mine around 4 a couple times) and around 1,200miles is the break in. So far I'm at like 180 miles haha .

 

I asked the MA about the break in period, all he said was "just don't redline it until 1000mi."

I agree with nyc-jcw that car nowadays are almost good to go running without really having a break in period.

 

I doubt red lineing it will damage it as there are soft rev limiters built in... once you get too high.. the car will shut the power down....(don't ask me how I know ), but you can do damage if you down shift into the wrong gear you can over rev the engine that way...

Oh yea leave the "sport button' alone until your used to the car..because it's addicting...

 

manual states to keep it under 4500rpm for 1250 miles - break-in period.

 

that sport button will deff tempt me .. idk if i wont be able to not press it

 

Great info guys, I'll take it all into consideration when I pick my JCW up in a couple weeks.

Buck

 

Take the slow way home. Use the compression to help you slow down. Just drive it like you normally do. Have fun just don't hurt it. The first few miles are the most important.

 

i normally drive extra slow cause im afraid my car will break down lmao so i think i can drive alittle faster

 

Geez people, just read the manual. The car has one for a reason. If you don't have your car yet a full digital copy can be found at the MINI Owners Lounge online.