Rep Power: 0

I got my car about 3 weeks ago and have around 400 miles now.

I've been driving it a lot on the freeway.

I read on the manual, no fast acceleration or strong breaking for the first 600 miles.

I need to accelerate when I get on highways... and I sometimes can't completely break slowly.

I don't floor my car when accelerating or anything. I don't press hard as I can on the breaks.

I feel like I'm not breaking it in well... I'm not sure.. am I?

How important is the breaking period? Would I notice change after the breaking in?

 
Rep Power: 0

i dont know,

ive hear more and more that the "break-in" period for new cars is pretty much obsolete now
you are doing fine.... its not like you can avoid using it as a car for the first 600 miles... s**t happens that you cant avoid

just my $.02

 
Rep Power: 0

I just got my civic last week & I just drive it just like any other car. Although I don't redline it or drop gears into high RPM's yet. Just drive like you would regularly.

Steve*

 
Rep Power: 0

Um......... hate to tell you guys but the break in period is VERY important if you plan on keeping the car for a while (over 6-7 years or so)

Your engine has bearly ever been used before, and it isn't used to moving like it is supposed to, getting oil around like it's supposed to, etc. You want to keep everything smooth so that it doesn't wear in wrong. If you drive continually at any one speed during the break in period, your car will preform better in that RPM band because your engine has gotten used to that. No, I don't know mechanically how this all works, but I know that it is true

As for brakes, the brake in period is VERY important. You brake roters have a lining on them, and it is very easy to wear off. If you break hard, it wears irregularly, and you will find that your braking power is greatly diminished as opposed to a car that was broken in properly. CAUTION: if you need to brake hard for an emergancy, DO IT! I know this should be obvious, but some people may think about the car first..... new brakes are fairly cheap, medical + insurance isn't........

 
Rep Power: 0

Break in periods are important, and the reply about rpm bands getting used to the way oil flows is very correct. Try to avoid running above 4500 rpm, the first 1000. After that, it's all game, I drove from Alabama to New Mexico with only 400 miles on my car at about 75 all the way, and I get the best acc. from that band of rpm(3500+), so to be totally honest on the braking, take it as easy as possible I have already had to change my brakes and lathe my rotors, because a semi tried to kill me at 70mph and I locked up skidded about 400ft at least... so be careful alright??? Later

 
Rep Power: 0

itz important enough to save u some dough in the future when the engine is in high mileage... driving properly increases the engine's life!

 
Rep Power: 0

Honda doesn't mess around with they write the manual. Just follow what it says and you'll be fine.

 
Rep Power: 0

Hmm.......no wonder my Corolla breaks doesn't feel as good anymore......I'm at about 500 miles so far, and had to break hard once....I can feel a difference in the breaking already.

One question though, you guys are saying if I drive at a constant speed, my rpm band for that will be faster in the long run, but I thought you're not suppose to drive at the same speed during break in?

 
Rep Power: 0

Break in period is basically for your valves and cylinder walls to wear in..From the factory the cylinder wall are crosshatched very ver finely. This is so the oil can fill those grooves and lubricate the engine properly from the get-go. It's also so that the rings will wear down the walls quicker so they will seat better...

Same for the valves...

Breakin in..basicall no hard acceleration..and no high RPM driving for a little while.. Same for breaking.. Discs are also cross hatched so that they will wear faster, and wear the pads faster untill properly seated for even contact..

By wearing faster..yes..they wear faster untill broen in..in which if broken in properly will wear as normal..if not procken in properly the engine will not last as long as it should and will begin burning oil and losing compression earlier on

 
Rep Power: 0

Unstoppable:

If you stay at a constant speed, lets say 40 mph (and lets say around 3000 RPM (yes i just made those #s up, plz don't spam if i'm wrong concerning gear ratios, etc :-&THORN[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]) for a long time, you will find that your engine preforms best near 3000 RPM, but will preform worse than normal in all other ranges.

 
Rep Power: 0

I heard it's best to keep it under 3500rpm's for the first 1500 miles. I got my car last week and have 96 miles so far, i'm not breaking hard or flooring it. I think the 'break-in period' is very important! The way you take care of your car now will be how the car will perform later. I havent even gone on the freeway yet, maybe i'm just a bit crazy I guess after having a POS car for so long it's nice to have a brand new car that runs so great, i apreciate it so much more !!

Lidia
[IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]

 
Rep Power: 0

I waited until about 350 miles before I started giving it hell. Have I really messed up my car or is it just something that will hurt me like 200,000 miles from now? I've got like 1,350 now.

 
Rep Power: 0

i was at 800 miles before i redlined it, but i had to to merge[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

 
Rep Power: 0

For the first 600 miles:

* Try to vary your RPM's. Meaing avoid maintaining a constant speed. City driving is best during break-in. Avoid cruise control.
* Try to shift at recommended shift points in your manual, and try not to go above 4000 rpm.
* Go easy on acceleration and braking.


Even after 600 miles, I would still gradually increase the rpm's above 4000, and then 5000, so that the engine break-in is nice and constant. It's not like 600 miles is some kinda green light to hit the redline on each shift ... if you really care about your car, that is.

If you don't care about your car, then by all means, drive it like you stole it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Try to break it in right
I really didnt hit the gas for the first 600 miles and tried not to redline it after that but i was varing the rpm's but sometimes had to give it some gas to get on the freeway that is [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]
but dont be real hard on it
BUT ENJOY