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I was reading a few posts and found one talking about the break-in period. I'm a total retard when it comes to cars and I never really heard about the break-in period for new cars. I have a new 2k2 Civic and I've been gunning it alot. I read in a thread that I should keep RPMs under 3000 for the first 600-1000 miles or so. Well I've never redlined but I have wandered in the 4k-5k regions a few times while trying to see "how fast" the car is. Another mistake is I've had to brake very abdruptly 2 times (kinda skidded a bit... was wet). I have about 500 miles on it now.

Should I be worried?
What exactly are the consequences of just blasting the rpms and slamming the gas during the break in period?


Thanks,
Jeeves

 
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I always heard to break a car in fast if you want it to run fast. Anhow the main thing is not to run at a constant speed for long periods of time in the first 1000 or so miles. Other than out and out racing, I don't think you hurt your car any.

The old days when they used break in oil, and parts weren't fitted as well, you had to be more careful. But those days are long gone.

 
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chill with the gas and freakin break pedal for another 2 to 3 hundred miles.....

what can happen, well for 1 your valve seals may not seat properly and BAMMM, time to rebuild engine.

so chill out dood

 
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Thanks for the responses --- Bartkat you made me feel better [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

Pogi: Trust me dude, I'm driving granny style for the next few hundred miles! Is there anyway to check if I've royally screwed something up yet? Like those valve seals?

 
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It is doubtful that you have hurt anything. If your valves get noisey or you start using oil, then there is some premature wear. However, the way thes engines are built, you are probbly in fine shape. Not to worry.

 
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<< I always heard to break a car in fast if you want it to run fast. Anhow the main thing is not to run at a constant speed for long periods of time in the first 1000 or so miles. Other than out and out racing, I don't think you hurt your car any.

The old days when they used break in oil, and parts weren't fitted as well, you had to be more careful. But those days are long gone. >>



how long is a long time at a constant speed? i used cruise control for about 30-40 miles at 74mph when i had 400 miles on the car, was that bad?

 
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That's not bad. You just wouldh't want to go for 100 miles or so at constant speed. Usually traffic will take care of varying speed for you. I think with the tolerences and materials in today's cars, you shouldn't have to worry much about yours. If you haven't used any oil, then everything should be fine. I change oil eery 3000 miles rather than the recommended interval. It doesn't cost that much and seems to have paid off in previous vehicles.

 
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I was told not to go over 75MPH that much and I topped at 74 accidentally on my break in period. Also, they said not to go that fast because my brake wasn't broken in yet, and after the break in period, it was tighter... that's all I can say.

 
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I ran mine up to max speed after 500 miles. Besides, your car is under warranty. If it breaks they will fix it.

 
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Everyone,

Check your manuals. You will see what it tells you to do. One of the things that it tells you to do for the break-in period is to not change the oil before it tells you to on the maintenance schedule. The manual will tell you almost everything you need to know about the break-in period. If someone wants, I can post the page number.

 
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Well, telling you not to drive over 75 is another way of taking liability off the company. I dont' think there are any states with speed limits over 75.

If you look at an automatic EX, what are you turning, maybe 3000 RPM at 75? What's that going to hurt?

 
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<< Everyone,

Check your manuals. You will see what it tells you to do. One of the things that it tells you to do for the break-in period is to not change the oil before it tells you to on the maintenance schedule. The manual will tell you almost everything you need to know about the break-in period. If someone wants, I can post the page number. >>





Well,
I guess i just made a mistake. My car just hit 1,500 miles. i changed my oil at honda. eversince the oil change, i felt my car ran a lot smoother. i know the engine has breakin oil when it is released from the manufacture. i didnt know the breakin oil had to used for the 1st 7000 miles. like it said in the manual... the honda is not due until the 1st 7000 miles.

 
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i don't think there's break in oil in the new cars.

 
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there's a break in period for every new car, but due to the high quality standards of today, these break in periods are shorter. Always break in new cars...engines, suspension and brakes...a little bit of care during the first 600 miles won't hurt you....

 
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<< i don't think there's break in oil in the new cars. >>



yes there is, i was told by the dealer that honda uses special break-in oil that costs $18/quart and needs at least 5000 miles to do its job. that was one of the most important parts of the break-in period.. do NOT change the oil before 5000 miles. after that you can do it more often if you feel the need, even though the car only needs it every 5k

 
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Screw that, I always have changed my oil at 1500,3000,6000,9000 w/ synth.... 3k intervals.

With 70+ k on them beating the **** out of them as I do, these engines had NO blow-by and felt MORE powerfull than they did new.

I'm not so sure about the whole 18 dollar a quart "Special break in oil" corvette, porsche, bmw - all those guys advertise they break in with mobil one or syntech, and thats a big deal (their price is probably about 2 bucks a quart)...

If you think for a second honda's going to feed a 11 thousand dollar civic 50 dollars worth of oil you have another thing comming....

 
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I know they reccomend the first oilr change at 5000 miles, but just what exactly is this break in oil supposed to do?

Used to be break in oil was thin and allowed the engine parts to wear in, and was changed at 500 miles.

The best reson I know for that first change is to get rid of metal particles and junk that comes loose during break in.

What with the tolerences and machining techniques used today, an engine should be ready to rock and roll in 500 miles, oil change of no.

 
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To set everythign straight here.. even in most new cars there is a break in period for the engine.. for the break.. fastest way to break them it.. Drive 50ft with your foot lightly on the breaks Reverse for about 20 feet with your foot lightly on the breaks... Done.. It's just so the pads seat properly.. For the engine and our civics.. These are ULEV vehicles and as such the tolerances are very tight...there really isn't a classic break in period like older cars. The only thng that actually breaks in is the oil rings..this happend after about 1500 miles in total,.. within that time Keep under 4000Rpms.. it's a 4 banger.. no way you can keep it under 3000rpms [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG].. As for the valve seating this happens after a measly 500 miles or so.... I CHange my oil every 3k miles (5k kms in canada) After the second oil change 6k miles it is then safe to switch to fully synthetic oil..If you love your cars..you'll give em synthetic... they will love you for it.. run smoother and last longer.

Cheers
Mohawk

 
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when i picked up my car honda told me the faster i break it in the faster it will go...needless to say my parents followed the break in and have nothing but problems...In my car I drove as aggressively as I normally would and haven't had a problem.