I'd like to know peoples opinions on this. When I picked up my car a few weeks ago I made it a point to ask about the break in period. My salesperson told me there was none and that I didn't have to worry about it. This is in line with other dealers as a friend, when getting his volvo a couple years ago, was told the same thing.
While not following his advice I am still amazed that dealerships tell people that these days? Being somewhat cynical, is this because it possibly generates more work for them as more issues could crop up if a car is not properly broken in? Or have they gotten so used to the 3 year lease cycle that most owners get rid of their cars and off to auction before the big problems arise?

 

It's not necessarily the time length of the break-in period, but what you do that affects long term engine life.
Going through a few new cars, I'm a firm believer of keeping the RPM's low (typically under 4000 RPMs) for the first 1500 miles.
Also, during that time period you want to vary engine speed, as in don't use the cruise control on the highway.

Also, I'm a big supporter of changing out the engine oil & filter after 500 miles, then again at 1500 miles, and finally at 3000 miles.
It removes any of the metal filings during the "wear in" period and containinents during assembly.

After 1500 miles, feel free to bring the car to redline after the engine has reach normal operating temperatures.
Once at running temp, the engine can handle the rev's without a hicup.

- Erik

 

Who are you going to believe - the engineers who built the car, or some guy who smells like Marlboros and lies all day long for a living?

 

I think I would have done 2 things:
1) Handed back my Key and said "yeah, ummm...I think I'll pass...YOU'RE A MORON!!"
2) Ask to speak to his Supervisor and say "Yeah...ummm...do you know...YOU'VE HIRED A MORON!!

These aren't the highest perfomance engines made, but to not recommend a Break In Period is simply asinine...I feel sorry for the uninformed MINI buyer who comes across this MA in the future...glad it wasn't me!!

 

It even says in the owner's manual there is a break in period. This is true for any new engine. That sales guy is an idiot.

 

My 2012 owner's manual tells me not to exceed 4500 RPMs for the first 1200 miles, then to gradually get into the higher revs.

I may have violated that a time or two...

 

Here's my take.

There are some things on a new car that need break in. Tires, brakes, the stereo...lol

As for the engine, you need to set and bed the rings. The only way to do that is cylinder pressure. Let the car warm up, then several full throttle pulls. Yes really. The rings are seated in the first 20-30 mins of running the engine on the street.

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

 

I love it.

 

I guess I was just curious if this is common and if others have heard it. I agree with what's been said, just makes me concerned buying used again as most people don't read the manual...

 

I prefer the hard break in method.. makes more power in the end.

google it..

 

my salesperson told me 1200miles break in period, no more thank 4500rpm and 100mph for that period. ( I accidentally did a 5k rpm pull one time though)

 

Keeping the rpms low is actually what you do not want to do and does not prevent anything. The engine experiencing the rev range lets it get the heat it needs. You do not want to stay at a steady rpm above 4k (meaning holding it there) The wording in the manual is correct but it seems that is not read thoroughly and interprited as do not go above 4k etc etc. You want to let the motor climb through the revs to the rings can set with heat and not with out it.

 

A hard break in seals the rings better.

 

 

just some food for thought i suppose.. good read.

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

 

There is still a break-in period, but to be honest, it's not as critical as it once was. If a buyer were totally unaware of the break-in procedure and just drove the car normally from day one, it wouldn't be the end of the world. You might lose a few potential horsepower, or the engine might burn a few extra ounces of oil between changes, but that would be the extent of it.

Up until 20 years ago or so, the break-in was much more important. I have a friend who absolutely *ruined* the cylinder walls on a new BMW because he bought it out-of-state, jumped right onto the highway, set the cruise control and drove a few hundred miles home without varying the engine speed or load at all. The rings never seated properly, and the engine was burning enough oil to leave a cloud behind the car before he even got it home. Now, with the advent of internet sales and the Web, people fly out of state to buy cars and then drive them right home all the time. Again, it's not the best break-in, but they're not going to need an engine rebuild in 10k miles, either.

 

I'm a proponent of a hard break-in as well. Drive it like you're going to drive it, if nothing.

 

Here's one more vote for MotoMan's break in technique

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

 

Well I prefer Motoman's break-in, however I blew it then because I took the book's advice for the first 600 miles. Now I am running it up the rmps a little. 1200 miles is way too long to take it easy for. Certainly not redlining it but take it a little over 5000 now and the car is so much more fun to drive.