New Car Break-in Question

[R. Gerard]

Just bought a new 2005 OBW, L.L. Bean.

We have kept the rpms under 4,000 for the first several hundred miles
and have avoided long stretches (hours at a time) at a the same steady
speed.

We are planning a trip from Md. to Boston in late Sept., by which
time we will probably have about 1,000 miles on the odometer and we are
planning a cross-country drive to Seattle and back a month or so later.

It's been a very long time since we have had a new car and would
welcome input on current thinking on breaking in a new car engine.

Many thanks,
bob

 

[Edward Hayes]

I suggest the following: Warm up engine for 30 seconds or so before
driving and drive easy till the temp gauge is up to normal. No more
than very short periods of heavy throttle (5 seconds or so), I drive
my Forester AT such that the transmission shifts at ~ 2,500 rpm. No
long periods of steady speeds and no long idling periods like 15
minutes. Subaru says the first oil/filter change at 3,000 miles and
NOT before 1,000 miles so I split the difference and changed at ~
2,000 miles. I also checked the oil level and coolant level at each
gas stop. If your trip will exceed the 3,000 mile and your up to 1,500
or so change the oil before the trip. I followed my above suggestions
and now have 94,000 miles on a like new running 2000 Subaru Forester
S.

 

[Steve Bukosky]

It's been a very long time since we have had a new car and would
welcome input on current thinking on breaking in a new car engine.

Assuming no abuse of the engine, I don't know that there is much you
can do to affect the longevity of the engine based on how you drive it
during the so called break in. The point of "break-in" is to wear the
piston rings such that they seal well.

In the motorcycle world, a rebuilt engine is typically worn in by WOT
(wide open throttle) acceleration to redline and then shut down to
cause the resulting vacuum to draw more oil to the cylinder walls and
lubricate and cool the rings. I've done that with my Bonneville,
Forester, two Caravans, and some other cars and typicaly have zero
oil consumption. My Taurus at nearly 200,000 miles used a quart in
9,000 miles. I used synthetic with a change once a year.

I'm not recommending this method, but present it as an example.

 

[Bonehenge]

Subaru says the first oil/filter change at 3,000 miles and
NOT before 1,000 miles

Is that new?

That recommendation wasn't in the '01 2.5 manual. How do you hurt a
modern engine by replacing the oil (not with synthetics! <G>) @ 1k?

My '01 OBW did a 2000 mile highway trip at 1300 miles on the odo, with
no ill effects.

As far as breaking it in, I'd simply drive reasonably after 1000
miles. 1000 miles is a few revolutions on the ol' crankshaft, and the
pistons should seat by then. You should check your oil at every
fill-up during the early life of the car, as they can use more oil
before the rings are seated.

I normally switch my cars to synthetic oils @ 5k.

Enjoy your trip, and don't worry about it.

 

[Edward Hayes]

The NOT before 1,000 miles was an answer from Subaru's technical
department when the question was asked. ed

 

[Rick Courtright]

The NOT before 1,000 miles was an answer from Subaru's technical
department when the question was asked. ed

Hi,

Ed, I'm really talking off the top of my head here, but didn't someone
post something a few months ago about some kind of break-in agent (I'm
thinking moly at first) that Subaru puts in the factory oil fill?

IIRC, the idea of a dedicated "break-in" oil like mfrs used decades ago
was dismissed, but it seems someone had info on an additive that was
supposed to be given some time to work. I could be all wrong, though.
???

Rick

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Seems like there's always SOME question about breaking in! lol!
Yeah, I think some analysis of oils from the factory folks have sent in
for used oil analysis have found elevated moly - but then there's the
speculation it is from special lubes used assembly. It is also
frequently pointed out that a few cars come from the factory with synth
already in the crankcase. Dunno if those vehicle get special treatment
to the rings/cyls though. Then there's the guys that recommend heavily
loading the engine to increase pressure on the rings to force the
'wearing in' to go more quickly and avoid 'burnishing' the hone pattern.

I dunno. I drained the factory oil at 1300 miles and now use Mobil 1.

Carl

 

[David Betts]

Just bought a new 2005 OBW, L.L. Bean.

We have kept the rpms under 4,000 for the first several hundred miles
and have avoided long stretches (hours at a time) at a the same steady
speed.

We are planning a trip from Md. to Boston in late Sept., by which
time we will probably have about 1,000 miles on the odometer and we are
planning a cross-country drive to Seattle and back a month or so later.

It's been a very long time since we have had a new car and would
welcome input on current thinking on breaking in a new car engine.

Current thinking is don't waste your time. Modern engines are built to
accurate tolerances and bench run before installation. Purpose of
taking it easy for the first few hundred miles is just in case there
are any installation faults. No reason why you can't start thrashing
it now. Subarus are particularly tight and you won't get full
performance until it has loosened up quite a lot, so the sooner you
start that process the better. Get your 1000 mile inspection and oil
change done before you set off on your long journey and don't skimp on
the oil. Go for a top-end synthetic.

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)

 

[kevin wallis]

my local dealer ( united kingdom) said allow engine to warm up and then
keep revs down to 3500 for the first 1000 miles then they did a oil
change,they said that was the run in .

 

[Bonehenge]

Ed, I'm really talking off the top of my head here, but didn't someone
post something a few months ago about some kind of break-in agent (I'm
thinking moly at first) that Subaru puts in the factory oil fill?

You'd think that would be mentioned in the manual.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Yes Rick: Some who have done UOA on the factory fill discovered Moly
and ?? in the oil in fairly high amounts. That suggest that Subaru is
doping the oil and or using a generous amount of assembly lube which
in effect is doping the oil. I think the manuals WANTS us to run the
mileage they recommend for the first oil change which is 3,000 miles.
I do remember my new Saab had a way to encourage new car owners to
leave their "break-in oil" in for a specific amount of miles. They
would give you a free oil & filter change IF you returned the car to
the dealer within a prescribed mileage. I think the mileage
requirement was 1,800 to 2,600 miles but, not sure about that.

 

[David Betts]

my local dealer ( united kingdom) said allow engine to warm up and then
keep revs down to 3500 for the first 1000 miles then they did a oil
change,they said that was the run in .

That will be what it says in the handbook, yes. They are covering
themselves. Three or four hundred miles is plenty. Then start upping
the revs a bit. It actually takes about 20,000 miles of hard driving
to get one of these engines nicely run in and performing at its peak.

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)