Breaking in a new Tacoma

So I looked around and didn't see my specific q's so here it goes.

I will be taking delivery of my new manual inferno OR at the end of the month. I have been reading up on properly breaking in the engine. I have never owned a new vehicle before but am very much a DIY maint. Guy who takes care of his things. My big question is that I live about 160 miles from the dealer in Alaska and then after I drive the truck home I only have a daily commute of about 5 miles to work. So most of my driving will be short distances with prob one trip to anchorage (130 miles one way) every month. Will this be bad for a new engine to only run short distances. I know it's not great in general but try to get some miles on it when I can on the weekends.

Also. I typically leave for a few months in the winter, nov-Jan. And will store the truck. Prob won't get too much over 2000 miles by then. I guess my q is does this sound ok? Or should I be doing something more specific?? Thanks for any info.

 

Below is from the manual concerning breaking in.

Breaking in your new Toyota To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended: ●For the first 200 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops. ●For the first 500 miles (800 km): Do not tow a trailer. ●For the first 1000 miles (1600 km): • Do not drive at extremely high speeds. • Avoid sudden acceleration. • Do not drive continuously in low gears.Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.

Hope this helps

 

I got mine at the end of Dec. 2015 and it just turned 19K. Its almost due for its second oil change. Remember, these engines are designed for 10k mile oil changes as long as you use full synthetic 0w-20. The main thing to not forget, is to drive at least 10 miles a month in 4 wheel drive (try to find a dirt road or pavement when it is raining/snowing) to keep the front transfer case lubed up.

Other than that, enjoy your new truck, drive sensible, and stay safe. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this site if you run into any issues later on.


(Good choice on the manual. Automatics are for those without a third leg )

 

Vary your engine speed on the way home. i.e don't drive all 160 miles with CC at 60mph. If it was me and I wasn't in a hurry, I'd even stop somewhere long enough to let it cool down completely and then continue the drive.

 

The common sense approach is: don't drive it like you stole it and drive in a way that let's it move through all the gears and have some variability in rpm.

These things don't require special attention like cars used to.

 

I'm a first time poster, long time reader, and this thread helped me with my questions. I just bought my first brand new truck only had 5 miles on it and I've been wondering about the break in period for the engine.

 

In b4 Smitty

 

Welcome Wengel, !! Enjoy your beautiful new truck.... Take what you read here with a grain of salt....be ready for the funny guys and the other guys ....

Be ready for some fun.... it's a good bunch of guys/gals on here..... except for maybe (OH...I can't say his name)...!!

 

Wait, there's a break in period? Drive it like someone else is paying for it lol.

 

I took it very easy on my engine during the break in period. I also followed the suggested (else where) differential break in. I put 5.29's in my last two trucks and changed the diff oil at 1000kms. This truck I waited until I took it in at 8000km for service and had them do the diffs and the engine oil. The tech noted dark grey oil in both front and rear diffs. I live in winter land and run 4x4 1/3 of the year. Maybe the new trucks don't need the heat cycling of the gears but it made me feel better to do it properly.
https://www.marlincrawler.com/tech/diff/differential-break-and-care-information

 

or just make up your own story about how things work and create a method that makes you happy and sleep well at night. warranty has your back and in 375,000 miles from now when you need to fix shit you won't remember or care what you're thinking and doing with your motor today.

 

Thanks for all the helpful info. I appreciate all feedback. The one thing I was most curious about was the short distances during break in. Really though I guess I have no option there. I will be draining doffs at before storing the vehicle for three months and replace with amsoil. Should I switch tranny fluid to red line for the manual at this time? Thanks for the info!

 

I just picked up a Pro not long ago. Doesn't have 100 miles on I yet and read a bunch on break in.

Decided I would just follow manufacturers recommended limitations.

I'm also going to do the heat cycle on the front diff once it's rainy. My commute is about 100 miles round trip so I need the engine to last and anything I can do to help the rest of the components like the diff will be worth it should I keep this truck.

 

Heat cycle? Run 20-30 miles stop for 20 min x3 during first long drive?

 

Personally I would take a longer route if your engine isn't warm by the time you reach your destination. Frequent short trips without reaching operating temps are not ideal. Don't make up that heat with idling.

I'll change oil around 500 miles. ATF, & diffs around 800. Then oil again around 1500. Then 5000 and finally move upward depending how the oil holds up.

 

Run it in 4wd on a dirt, gravel or rainy road. For about 15 miles. Then turn it off. I'll do that once on a few separate occasions before I get the fluid changed.

 

No time off? Drive that thing around Alaska. I hear it's bigger than Texas.

 

130 miles to Anchorage...you must be in Seward!

Do some driving around this summer and hit the Kenai, visit me in Homer, whatever you can do on weekends to get the truck up to temperature and put some miles on it so that it gets broken in. When I bought my truck in January I just started driving it like normal and there haven't been any problems.

And yes, fluid changes before storage are also a very good idea.

 

Yes. I am in Seward. I wish I got more time off to roam and play. Summer season is money season up here in AK. so not a lot of that. However have some good camping trips planned to Talkeetna 7 hr drive. Great off roading spots to pitch some tents not far from town. Definitely going to get some play time. After all that why I live in Ak. Great playground.

Unfortunately no alternative longer routes to town. One road to the ocean where I then jump on s 90' vessel and run 1500 horses for 8 hrs in the gulf

Thanks again for the input. Pretty excited to get this truck. Even though I'll be putting my 89 22re pickup back in storage. Love that truck

 

Kremtok...nice to see a fellow Alaskan on this site. Thanks for the info. How do you like the truck?