Break In

Break in is not only about the engine. Some manufacturers recommend not towing for the first 500 miles for rear axle break in.

In my case, I ended up buying from a dealer 600 miles away (couldn't find a 6 speed A/C any closer). Drove home on 2 lane roads as much as I could, just to vary speed/rpm versus interstate. Fun time on the road in NC/TN (Tail of the Dragon - over 300 curves in 11 miles).

 

problem is you cant prove if something were to happen down the road that it was their fault.

I just dont trust the dealership as far as i could throw my truck. Not after the insanely horrible experiences i have had with the dealership i bought my truck from.

 

I've always changed oil in a new engine the moment it hits 500 miles. There is particles and gunk leftover in an engine from the machining process in the factory that get picked up and need to come out. After that I safely run 3k mile intervals on conventional oil for the next 3 changes and then go synthetic oil and 5k intervals from then on. Good luck with the new truck!

 

Also, run break in additives in the oil. Lucas makes a bottle of break in oil for $20, this helps seat the rings and always use conventional oil breaking in a new engine or the rings wont seat properly.

 

I had read that the "conventional oil during breakin" was to allow the piston rings to properly seat. The cyl bores are honed to produce friction on the rings so they bed in properly. Synth oil supposedly doesn't allow enough friction. Makes sense I guess...
Maybe they use a more aggressive hone pattern on engines designed for synth oil?
Just noticed the post above saying same thing...

 

This has been going on since 1900. Over 100 years. Get you're oil changed with whatever you want withing manufactures specs. m Or spend mo' money

Since I been on here, folks keep posting. Folks say magic. Folks have leaks. Folks have no leaks. Folks rev their engine to 90,000 rpm but don't say here they race their Tacoma's. Folks tow a camper. Folks drive to work 12.5 miles each day, put 6,300 miles on the truck driving around the first year (me) Folks say they ran 200k miles on regular oil. Folks say they run 200k miles on synthetic.

I enjoy reading the magical posts of each. Thanks everyone! I'll keep with the regular program. I changed my oil hen the manual said to. All done.

 

You forgot the magic gif. Do what makes you happy. If changing your oil every time you fart makes you happy, then do it I'll change mine once a year or every 10K, whichever comes first.

 

Haha thanks man! The first ride home I drove it 120 miles or so back. Quite a ways from my place but that was the best deal I got. Tried to keep it easy for a while, but punched it a couple times to vary the rpms a bit. Hopefully it'll seat well!

Thanks so much folks, I have an idea of what I want to do. Super glad I found this forum!

 

Definitely good to vary the RPM's. Rolling starts to 4200 and then let it go back down on it's own every so often helps them seat. Do a few hard accelerations up to 5200 about 3 times in the first interval as well. This is how I've always broke in my V8s in my Mustang and race car every time I put new pistons or rings in them and it has worked well, none have burned a drop of oil. I did the same thing to my 2011 Tacoma when it was new as well, no problems. It is also advisable not to do any extensive idling during the break in period.

 

You say that now.... as does everyone.... till we start spending your money on a lift, armor, mods...... haha

 

I bought my truck new in Oct of 2005 and I changed the oil every 5K mi. I switched to synthetic recently at 105K mi. and now I'll be changing it every 10K mi.
If you follow the recommended service intervals for the diff, transfer case, transmission fluids you'll be fine. I would recommend writing down the dates and mileage when you do change them for future references.
Good luck and enjoy your Tacoma...