Hello all!

It looks like my day has finally arrived, my Mini with CVT will be at the dealership in a few days! I should be picking up my Mini and driving it back about 2000 miles. I would like some opinions on the break in period. For the first 1200 miles I understand that I must do 2 things:

1. Keep RPMs under 4500
2. Vary driving speed

I understand #1 and can do that no problem.

#2 however has me somewhat at a loss, what does this exactly mean?

How much should it vary and how often should it vary?

Can I drive at 70 MPH for an hour then 60 MPH for an hour then back up to 70 MPH again? Does 10 miles an hour constitute a varying speed and 1 hour of switching is that too long at one speed?

So how often should I vary speed and how much should I vary it, I guess that's the question. :smile:

Please help! Less than 1 week to figure this all out!

Maynerd

 

Try this. I had a similar question.


Breakin Period

 

Maynerd;

With the 2nd suggestion that you mentioned, that's there for the engine. You asked to vary the speeds and gears so the engine gets a taste of each gear and different speeds. If you're travelling on the highway back home for the first 1200miles(2000km's) you're not really breaking it in properly, due to only really using 1 or 2 gears at the most. Go from low band power to a higher range, and back and forth. Balance it out with stop and go city driving and some highway driving cycling through the gears and going from low to high speeds, keeping it reasonable. The engine needs to adjust to all the different levels of power and gears before it's properly broken in.
I basically told my room-mates friends and family if they needed a ride anywhere to let me know. Need any excuse to get out there to put some mileage on my MCS. A lot of the time I just go without a reason. It gets kinda addictive. I tell ya, there's going to be an organization for the treatment of this disease. Once in a MINI, ya just can't leave it alone.
Happy trails.
Cheers,

 

MINI-MadMan



is right =)


plus I love his sig

 

Explination of break-in period for plane engines

This link is actually for plane engines - but the same theories and resoning applies to any new, remanufactured or rebuilt engine in a car, plane, or boat that is based on pistons in cylinders.

Hope this helps with some of the reasoning behind the break-in period.

-dq

 

Thanks guys.

MINI-Madman, I understand what you are saying and I will do my best to do some city driving on the trip but your way is obviously the optimal way of breakin. However I do not have that luxury. If I did city driving it would take me weeks to get back home. I can't do that. I must drive mainly highway roads for the most part. Understanding that do you have suggestions on how I might be able to break in my MINI with these limitations?

Thanks!

Maynerd

 

Maybe still drive conservatively for 500 miles or so once you get home?

 

I wrote MINI about this very issue...this is what they sent in return.


Hello Frank.
Thanks for writing in and showing interest in the MINI. This is an excellent question.

For a 100 mile trip home from your authorized MINI Dealer, no additional precautions should be taken. Driving the vehicle home at normal speeds should be just fine.

To ensure that your vehicle provides maximum economy throughout a long service life, we request that you comply with the following break-in procedures for the engine, tires, brake system and clutch (if applicable):

Engine

Up to 1200 miles: Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle and engine speed during these initial miles while remembering to avoid engine speeds in excess of 4500 rpm and/or vehicle speeds of over 95 mph. Absolutely, avoid using the full-throttle or kickdown position for the accelerator. Once you have driven 1200 miles both the engine and vehicle speed can be gradually increased.

Tires

Due to technical factors associated with their manufacture, tires do not achieve their full traction potential until after an initial break-in period. We therefore ask you to drive with extra care during the first 200 miles.

Brake System

Approximately 300 miles must be driven before the brake pads and rotors achieve the optimum pad-surface and wear patterns required for trouble-free operation and an extended service life.

Clutch

Roughly 300 miles must be driven before the clutch starts to operate at optimum efficiency. Remember to engage the clutch carefully during this initial period.

I hope this information has been helpful. You can also find this information in your Owner's Manual.
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I hope it helped,