Most cars I have had recommended 1000 km running in.........this is my first car which the manual recommends 2000 km running in.....many thanks!!!!

 

You could do a search and find many great debates on the subject, or you could go here and read about why you should do what I did and drive it like you stole it from day one! My way is much more fun.

 

If you ask most people on here, they will say "yes" that it's very important. Do a search for "break in" and see what you find. I've seen that article from BK before, and it is interesting. I also seem to recall there being a response to that somewhere on here with someone arguing that, while it might hold true for sport bikes, it's not necessarily been proven for cars. I think going the "safe" route is probably your best bet, but you've gotta make up your own mind!

Cheers!

_________________

 

Thanks for the site! Interesting info I must say......but hard to do really "on my
baby", haaaaaaaaa

 

The safe route? If the gentle way is not as good as the other then what is safe?

I have always ignored break-in periods and have felt that my engines seem to run a little better than their counterparts. But I never knew about this ring seal theory until now.

It makes sense and my own experiences reinforce it. I dont think that 'drive it like you stole it' is quite right but certainly don't be afraid of laying on the pedal when up to temperature.

Just my .02

 

This is just a guess but maybe the longer break in time for the MINI is related to the use of full synthetic oil. The stuff is so good it delays the slight wear required to seat the rings, so more miles, (kilometers), are required?

I doubt you'd notice any difference no manner how you break it in.....but I'd follow MINI's recommendations.


R.E. :smile:

 

Who said that the gentle way is not as good as the other? It just seems to me that if you've got a thousand car people out there saying that taking it easy for the first thousand or so miles is the right thing to do, and you've got one sport bike guy saying to "drive it like you stole it," your best bet is probably just to baby it for 1000 miles or so. But it's your car...break it in however you want.

 

'Break in" is probably way more important with
a synthetic oil as in MINI. I am going to extend my
break in period even further.(this time)