We're planning a trip soon after we will likely take delivery of our MINI, so I'd be interested in the tech behind this.

 

In the old days I would agree with you. Back then you didn't want a constant speed to wear a ring in the cylinder or for anything else to take a 'set' at a low rpm (high way speeds in high gear). So, the old technique of running through the gears every now and then to get things worn in more evenly.

But, with modern alloys and tolerances the idea of breaking in an engine is much less important, if not something you can ignore completely.

A short distance like 200 miles at highway speeds won't hurt anything. If you drove 1000mi nonstop at a constant speed, then I guess I'd agree, maybe. But, most people can't do that. They have to get out and stretch or get gas or find a rest area. That little bit of stop and go breaks up the process.

Note that you don't have 'break in' oil anymore in most cars. Nothing to 'wear in' by the time you get it.

charlie

 

Except that changes can be made up to the time the car actually enters "Physical Production". I know this because i wanted to make a change and was told "It May Not Be Possible, If the car is on the line then No changes can be made." The order had been "Processed" for 12 days at this time. The dealer called Oxford and requested the change and it was done. By all accounts the car went info production less than 24 hours later. When I got the car the change was there.

I can understand where if the car had actually been in the production line or finished that changes are not made. That is just logical. And if the change was requested the same day the car was ordered then we can all be guaranteed that the car was not on the line or finished so there is not reason that the change could not have been made. It is nothing but a LAZY MA

 

Do you subscribe to this, or just stating a point?

The Mini Manual has a Break In Period Section... "Up to 1200 miles./...driving at varying speeds...not to excede 4500PM or 100mph...avoid full throttle and use of transmission's kickdown mode."

What's "kick-down" mode?

 

Kick-down is when you push the gas pedal down past that certain point...it suddenly gives you a big boost in power. That's what how it works in my automatic, anyway. I'm sure there is a much better way of describing it. No doubt someone will give you a better definition shortly.

 

Breaking in a car is more than just breaking in the engine. Transmission, brakes, steering components, suspension components all require a "little time".

While I stated that "a cross country trip would be a great way to break in your new car". I wasn't meaning to jam the car into 6th gear, and go for a 24 hour endurance rally. I meant to take a nice meandering trip, on the roads less traveled. Stop for lunch, dinner what have you. and some highway too.
I also agree with PepperSClubman, in that the more times you can properly work the clutch, the smoother the shifting will become as the clutch wears in,same for the brakes, and the turbo. The more time you can take, the more completely your vehicle will be broken in.
Drive the car with that purpose in mind, avoid jack rabbit starts and full throttle accelerations that pin you to the seat. Don't use the clutch for compression braking, use the brakes instead. Don't hold the car on a hill with the clutch. Find the sweet spots in the shifting and enjoy the ride.
The two components of my MCS that I made a concerted effort to break in properly were the turbo and the clutch.
I got 280,000 miles out of my Saab's clutch, and I am at the 175,000 mile mark on my current truck and have not needed to replace the clutch My last Toyota truck did 314,000 miles on the original clutch.In 30+ years of driving manual transmissions daily, I've only ever replaced one clutch in all the vehicles I've owned. Take care of that clutch.

 

Definitely not the use of the clutch to slow the car down. OK, I have an automatic, but I do know that it is not clutch related. It has to do with quick acceleration which brings the rpms up fast.

 

Kick-down mode is in fact pushing the gas all the way down past the detent on an auto car. It speeds up and accelerates quicker. They've had it on all MINI's since 02.

 

Thanks Rally, I knew I could count on you to explain it more clearly.

 

Thank you for the info. Is this similar to automatic overdrive on American made vehicles?

 

"Kick-down mode" has been on all automatic transmissions since they have been in existance. Otra is correct in his/her description. Mostly used while overtaking another vehicle or climbing a steep hill. Step hard on the gas and the transmission "downshifts" or "kicks-down" to a lower gear, the RPMs raise up rapidly/suddenly, when you ease off the pressure on the accelerator as you approach the desired speed the transmission "upshifts" back into "drive" or "overdrive" and the RPMs fall.

I will have to also agree with Otra about MINI of Fairfield County. Nothing but good things to say about all of the MAs there. Another great person there is their Business Administrator. She is always helpful and always pleasant.

So sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience there. Like Otra I have also sent many freinds and aquaintenances there.

Silkcut, Yes.

 

Hey Bilbo, good to see you outta the shire - what's this "his/her" bit? Too true, we've been very fortunate in our experiences.

And for anyone who is around the Stamford area please check out this thread about the MoFC sponsored Toys For Tots Run on 12/12: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=157870 Shameless plug.

 

Yes, I subscribe to it. Yes, have seen those statements in manuals. I have ignored them for the past 4 new cars I've had and 'released', one of which was a WRX (a bit later in life it was pumping out 280hp). All went over 100k before I sold them (gave away the WRX). The only trouble I had was one car kept ruining a right rear wheel bearing (2 in 90k). The WRX was tested and had original spec compression at 110k (when the timing belt was changed). It is still driven by my daughter with 150k miles. The only new problem was a leak in the AC system.

The WRX was actually the one most abused. Right from the start it got full power runs at almost every stop. Two longish (300mi) freeway trips with cruise control set at 80mph.

And, if I did not use the 'kick down' I wouldn't be driving, in any vehicle.

I drive most of my vehicles hard, even the trucks. Use synthetic oil and 10-15k oil change intervals. Except for upgrades (exhaust and computer) that is all the maintenance the WRX got (it did get a full service at 110k).

charlie

 

Okay, this is way OT. Thanks for the info, but let's don't interfere with a perfectly good rant about MAs... Go start a break-in thread or sumpin'