Break in...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: Warrenton VA
Break in...
Well the break in is KILLING ME. I have 150 miles on it so far. I have only had it for 3 days 
The thing is I am trying to hit the 1/4 next weekend, how many miles should I wait before I hit the track?
The thing is I am trying to hit the 1/4 next weekend, how many miles should I wait before I hit the track?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 383
From: Bandon, OR
Originally Posted by Jstyle
Well the break in is KILLING ME. I have 150 miles on it so far. I have only had it for 3 days The thing is I am trying to hit the 1/4 next weekend, how many miles should I wait before I hit the track?
The thing is I am trying to hit the 1/4 next weekend, how many miles should I wait before I hit the track?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,529
Likes: 1,943
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by Jstyle
Well the break in is KILLING ME. I have 150 miles on it so far. I have only had it for 3 days The thing is I am trying to hit the 1/4 next weekend, how many miles should I wait before I hit the track?
The thing is I am trying to hit the 1/4 next weekend, how many miles should I wait before I hit the track?If the track is a drag race track I suggest 1500 miles of 'typical' driving
But, if you spend this weekend on a long back country road with very little traffic and low levels of constabulatory oversight, migrating the engine RPMs from 2000 to 6000 to 2000 to 6000 in 8* second intervals 2000->6000 in 8 seconds (2nd or 3rd gear) 6000->2000 in 8 seconds. Just go up and down the RPM band, you can shave 500-700 miles off my above suggestions.
[*] in 2nd gear this will be closer to 6 seconds up and 6 seconds down with the suggested light throttle openings. In 3rd gear it will be closer to 8 seconds up and down.
This loads up the engine just enough to seat the rings, and then enables the vacuum in the cylinders to pull some oil up the ring pack for top cylinder lubrication. It also applies changing and moderate loads in the driveline to break in the gears, bearings, and CV joints.
After an hour of this, you can start to run up and down the RPM band faster and faster. And by the end of the day, the engine and driveline will be well broken in.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
As mentioned above, the breakin isn't really finished at 500 miles; the manual says that after 500 you may GRADUALLY increase speed and power.
Of course someone will tell you he flogged it from day one and has no problems, but who knows if his engine & driveline would have been even better with a proper breakin.
Of course someone will tell you he flogged it from day one and has no problems, but who knows if his engine & driveline would have been even better with a proper breakin.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 75
From: Winter Garden, Florida
Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim
the manual says that after 500 you may GRADUALLY increase speed and power.
Wish I knew this leaving the dealership before I hit the long freeway drive. Since then I am strictly by the book.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by MitchAlsup
If the track is a road race course, I suggest 1000 miles of 'typical' driving
If the track is a drag race track I suggest 1500 miles of 'typical' driving
But, if you spend this weekend on a long back country road with very little traffic and low levels of constabulatory oversight, migrating the engine RPMs from 2000 to 6000 to 2000 to 6000 in 8* second intervals 2000->6000 in 8 seconds (2nd or 3rd gear) 6000->2000 in 8 seconds. Just go up and down the RPM band, you can shave 500-700 miles off my above suggestions.
[*] in 2nd gear this will be closer to 6 seconds up and 6 seconds down with the suggested light throttle openings. In 3rd gear it will be closer to 8 seconds up and down.
This loads up the engine just enough to seat the rings, and then enables the vacuum in the cylinders to pull some oil up the ring pack for top cylinder lubrication. It also applies changing and moderate loads in the driveline to break in the gears, bearings, and CV joints.
After an hour of this, you can start to run up and down the RPM band faster and faster. And by the end of the day, the engine and driveline will be well broken in.
If the track is a drag race track I suggest 1500 miles of 'typical' driving
But, if you spend this weekend on a long back country road with very little traffic and low levels of constabulatory oversight, migrating the engine RPMs from 2000 to 6000 to 2000 to 6000 in 8* second intervals 2000->6000 in 8 seconds (2nd or 3rd gear) 6000->2000 in 8 seconds. Just go up and down the RPM band, you can shave 500-700 miles off my above suggestions.
[*] in 2nd gear this will be closer to 6 seconds up and 6 seconds down with the suggested light throttle openings. In 3rd gear it will be closer to 8 seconds up and down.
This loads up the engine just enough to seat the rings, and then enables the vacuum in the cylinders to pull some oil up the ring pack for top cylinder lubrication. It also applies changing and moderate loads in the driveline to break in the gears, bearings, and CV joints.
After an hour of this, you can start to run up and down the RPM band faster and faster. And by the end of the day, the engine and driveline will be well broken in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 136
From: Simi Valley California
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10, '15. '22-'23
C'mon please. Drive it - maybe a little less than drive it like you stole it for the first few hundred miles. Then, all bets are off!!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 383
From: Bandon, OR
Originally Posted by LOS ANGELES PI
VERY GOOD. This take it easy stuff for the first 500 miles is a bunch of crap and only can hurt your motor in the long run.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Break in
I guess people that take the museum delivery and drive the car home , say 600 to 1000 miles are screwed as they cant drive extended periods at a constant speed say 70 mph on the interstates. I thought all engines now-a-days were pre broke-in from the factory
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Different folks enjoy different things- I've done two NCM deliveries, half of the fun is taking the back roads- keeps the speed down, keeps the speed variable, nice scenery and relaxing drive.
For me that kind of driving was fun, not a screw job.
For me that kind of driving was fun, not a screw job.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Jstyle
Well the break in is KILLING ME. I have 150 miles on it so far. I have only had it for 3 days The thing is I am trying to hit the 1/4 next weekend, how many miles should I wait before I hit the track?
The thing is I am trying to hit the 1/4 next weekend, how many miles should I wait before I hit the track?And as others have indicated, varying the rpms/speed is the also a correct thing to do.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 970
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
St. Jude Donor 06
Originally Posted by NOLESRULE
I guess people that take the museum delivery and drive the car home , say 600 to 1000 miles are screwed as they cant drive extended periods at a constant speed say 70 mph on the interstates. I thought all engines now-a-days were pre broke-in from the factory
We just mapped out a course that mixed a few miles on the "back roads", a few "interstate miles" (mostly around Nashville..55mph speed limit), a few "through town" miles (for the stop and go routine). We were about 175 miles from NCM (all Interstate) and ended up driving 185 back home.(some full auto, some paddle shifting 
) Mostly stayed at 55 or lower and no constant speed for more than 15 minutes. Stopped in Nashville for dinner (about the halfway point) than continued on home. With the mix of city/hwy/stop and go, ended the trip avg. 28.7 mpg 
I'm sure that will go down after the break in is over. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 34
Originally Posted by jlog323
I've posted this info before, but when I bought my '06 in January, the salesperson at Kerbeck told me that Daivd Hill, retired Chief Engineer, said the bogey for break-in is 3000 rpm for the first 500 miles, not 55 mph like the manual indicates. The 3000 rpm limit makes so much more sense.
And as others have indicated, varying the rpms/speed is the also a correct thing to do.
And as others have indicated, varying the rpms/speed is the also a correct thing to do.
Indeed it’s all about rpm on the engine. Rpm can vary drastically depending on which gear you are in and has little relationship to mph speed.