Engine Break-in

Suzuki made a bike somewhere in the early 90's and I can't remember the exact model but it had a 1000 CC engine.

There were multiple cases of smoking motors and heavy oil consumption here in the U.S. with that bike but very little problems in Europe.

They found out the reason why. Europeans wheelie out the showroom door for the most part while Americans baby the engine.

This particular model demanded a hard break in to seat the rings and make for a perfect engine. It may be an isolated case but worth mentioning.

 

My conclusion is based off of the 15w-50 my 2012 porsche uses and the 0w-20 my taco uses.

 

The so-called gentle or soft break-in regiment is intended to break-in the entire vehicle drivetrain (bearings, gears, clutch, brake pads, etc), not just the engine or piston rings.

Also allows for the vehicle to be checked out more safely, minimizing risk or damage should something go wrong (defect, botched assembly, etc). For example, far better to have an engine assembly screwed up at the factory fall apart at 2000rpm than 7000rpm. Also a bit easier to stop at a slower speed if the brake system fails or tires fall off.

 

4000 miles is where I noticed the truck starting to require less gas pedal to get it moving up a hill or moving in general, likely from the whole drive train becoming worn-in. Only way to describe is by saying it feels like there is less drivetrain resistance now that when it was brand new.

My front brakes feel well burnished now too and have more of a tactile brake pedal feel, although the tire type and brake dive drive braking more than anything with this truck.

 

GAS-don't drive it like you stole it until after 1000 miles. In general be nice to it.

Diesel- Drive like its going to be driven from the start.

 

Look up the actual specs, and you'll likely be very surprised. Most of this ultra thin oil crap is about energy efficiency, and is mostly being done in the U.S.

There is very little difference in the engine oil clearances between the 2.4L 22R engine from the early 90's, and today's 2.7L 2TR-FE. As someone else pointed out, less than 10%. Why the difference in factory recommended oil viscosity? CAFE: Corporate Average Fuel Economy...

 

I stick with a full breakin procedure for reasons that haven't been mentioned. All the focus is on engine breakin, but don't forget that every metal to metal relationship in the vehicle is undergoing this transformation. The transmission and especially the differential gears must have an easy launch to have a long life. Diff gears need 500 miles of fairly easy life and another 500 of moderate stress before they are ready for normal use, especially towing. I change all the lubricants at 500, and guess what they look like? I think it is great that the engines are run in to some extent at the factory for a number of reasons. I still do my routine, and will continue to on any new car I buy.

 

I've bought two Tacomas. Soon after purchasing the first I had to drive across country. Of course to save time, I punched it. Years later, I bought the second and did a much softer break-in. After 1000 miles there was a significant decrease in power, and slight on the mpg, in comparison with the first truck. This answered the question for me.

 

I don't like to press the pedal too much with a new vehicle, just run it through the paces, don't rev it too high. Work all the gears, put it through the 4WD Hi and Lo back and forth. After 500 miles, press it hard. After 1k miles anything is fine. This isn't the '70's Detroit crap.

 

Coming up on 100k and still runs great. Run em like you are going to drive them.

 

usually the 500 mile break in period is for the gears in the rear end

 

Disclaimer: Professional driver on a closed course: Do Not Attempt!

 

Nope, just a hillbilly on public roads. (ok, it was on the autobahn, but still)

 

You were getting passed if that's on the Autobahn.

 

Occasionaly, yes. Gas is $11 a gallon there so driving is sort of a rich mans sport. I had a 7 series BMW with a V-12 that got about 6mpg at speed, so a trip from Frankfurt to Munich was quite costly if you pinned it. Most cruise at about 80mph or so.

 

I drove north of Munich from Regensburg to Freising a few months ago and on the unlimited 180-220kp was pretty common and I was passed a few times. Damn some VW vans haul ass. I had a Porsche Panamera Diesel. Wish I had an instant mpg reading at 152 mph.

 

Fixed it for you

 

Liters per Kilometer.

 

Then why do some porsches and vetts come with synthetic from the factory ???

 

My new Tacoma isn't my first new Toyota. Never had any problems with any of them but I always use common sense when breaking in a new engine. Easy does it for the first 1,000 anyway