"Breaking in" your Brand New Tacoma

I put 250,000 on my 96, never did a break in and put whatever brand of oil that was at the quick lube in it. Ran like a champ till the day I sold her.

 

Run it normally. My dad floored it from 25mph when he was test driving his, drag raced it with 1,500 miles, and it still runs like a champ at 140K. No major repairs, just the usual oil, filter and spark plug change.

 

But why would the dealership care, thats more money for the dealership. When they get paid for warranty work, its guaranteed money, no worries on if the customer will pay or not? I know when i bought mine, i ran it about 75mph for about 160 miles, first day. Drove alot of fourlane, but several times i also did hit 85, every vehicle i have evere owned that was new i never babied, its always been broken in the way i intend to drive it all the time. Most new vehicles are tested for a 100 miles or so on the motor anyways.

 

I did follow the manual for the break in period but I am not convinced it does anything. Like other's said, technology and lubricants are so much better now and after building a few motors over the years, if the rings don't seat as soon as you fire the engine, then something is wrong and you're going to have a bad time.

 

I've never really "babied" my truck in the first 500-1000 miles. But I didn't beat on it either. I figured normal use was fine. I did do some towing just after the 1000mi mark, though.

EDIT:
Also, just did my first oil change just past 3000 miles. Oil wasn't black by any means, but definitely towards the point where it could use a change. My dad always changed oil in new cars around that mile marker so I just learned to do the same. Besides, I prefer some Mobil1 full synthetic over whatever conventional oil is coming from the factory

 

The dealership I bought my truck from said to have the first oil change at 10k that it has synthetic oil in it from the factory. I get the first 3 oil changes free at the dealership. Is that true 10k??

 

If you have a four banger then yes. V6 5K intervals. Drove my 3.4L normally. First oil change at 5K with regular oil and then at 9K with synthetic after that. 160K miles later runs perfectly.

 

Drove it normal off the lot, accelerated up to 70 on 3/4 to full throttle and alternated my loads through the RPM in the first 80 miles. After 130,000 miles- my compression test and leak down test are completely that of the upper end of the mfg spec.

I do my oil changes every 5k with regular oil and change my fluids on the listed intervals.

 

Hell- you guys don't want to know what the dealership guys do to cars.....

 

This is true. Most people would never buy a car if they knew what the lot boys did to them......or in them.

 

I broke my truck in by driving it on the interstate the 90 miles from the dealer to my house on the day I bought it.

Sweating it the whole way, afraid some dumbass was going to run into me when the traffic was heavy.

 

I broke mine in with 4WD trail side with hours of delivery. Tested all the traction controls.

 

I think my break-in period is up with 1100kmi of easy driving. Now to stretch her legs, time for the fun stuff. Ocotillo Wells here I come

 

Since it was so easy, for me, to follow those factory recommendations, I did.

 

Pretty much did the same thing. Drove it on the interstate till I got home.


BTW, I was in Va Beach last weekend...

 

I just drive it normally, all this fuss about breaking it in "properly" is silly. My friend has a Tacoma with over 300K miles of pure abuse on it. These trucks are crazy popular because they are tough. Just drive it already.

Oh and I only change the oil when the service light comes on steady, and I use regular old dino oil. Makes no sense to me to pour money down the drain for synthetic. I will continue to live dangerously .. .

.

 

Hahaha

 

You like to live dangerously? Try swimming with sharks that have friggin lasers on their heads.

 

Ah that's nothing, try posting on this forum that you think synthetic oil is a waste of money. Now that's living dangerously. I'm surprised I haven't been flamed to a crispy critter.

 

What?...you have to put oil in these trucks?

Oh yeah...I just wait until the low oil light comes on and then put in 4 more quarts. That's what that light is for right?

Sometimes I use 8 quarts of 2 cycle oil instead of 4 quarts of 4 cycle oil. It all adds up to 16 anyway so it really shouldn't matter right?