Typical highway speeds are no problem.
My wife's Ford Focus will do 155!
Moderate?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,209
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From: Just outside a swamp in Florida
Moderate?
The owners manual says :
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
. To break in new tires, drive at moderate speeds and avoid hard cornering.
Hard cornering I understand, but what do you consider moderate speeds?
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
. To break in new tires, drive at moderate speeds and avoid hard cornering.
Hard cornering I understand, but what do you consider moderate speeds?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,353
Likes: 779
The faster you car is traveling, the more the wear by the friction/shear forces and higher heat on the tires from the higher speeds. This car is capable of pretty damn high speeds (namely 150mph+ for the case of tire wear), and as such they are basically telling you to not drive at these higher speeds while the tires are still new.
As an EXTREME example:
A Bugatti Veyron Super Sport uses special Michelin tires and although softer like a race compound tire to handle high G's, at 250mph sustained the Michelin tires will last approximately 15 minutes before they are completely shot and need to be changed out to new tires.
As an EXTREME example:
A Bugatti Veyron Super Sport uses special Michelin tires and although softer like a race compound tire to handle high G's, at 250mph sustained the Michelin tires will last approximately 15 minutes before they are completely shot and need to be changed out to new tires.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 905
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
If I am going slower than half the traffic around me and faster than the other half, I consider this moderate speeds.
I have been told that keeping speeds below ~65 mph, no panic stops and no corner speeds that cause the tires to squeal for the first 500 miles is a reasonable break-in. Here's what Tire Rack recommends on their website:
"Tires are comprised of many layers of rubber, steel and fabric. Due to these different components, your new tires require a break-in period to ensure that they deliver their normal ride quality and maximum performance. As tires are cured, a release lubricant is applied to prevent them from sticking in their mold. Some of the lubricant stays on the surface of your tires, reducing traction until it is worn away. Five hundred miles of easy acceleration, cornering and braking will allow the mold release lubricant to wear off, allowing the other tire components to begin working together. It is also important to note that your old tires probably had very little tread depth remaining when you felt it was time to replace them. As any autocrosser or racer who has tread rubber shaved off of his tires will tell you, low tread depth tires respond more quickly. Don't be surprised if your new tires are a little slower to respond (even if you use the exact same tire as before). Their new, full depth brings with it a little more tread squirm until they wear down."
I have been told that keeping speeds below ~65 mph, no panic stops and no corner speeds that cause the tires to squeal for the first 500 miles is a reasonable break-in. Here's what Tire Rack recommends on their website:"Tires are comprised of many layers of rubber, steel and fabric. Due to these different components, your new tires require a break-in period to ensure that they deliver their normal ride quality and maximum performance. As tires are cured, a release lubricant is applied to prevent them from sticking in their mold. Some of the lubricant stays on the surface of your tires, reducing traction until it is worn away. Five hundred miles of easy acceleration, cornering and braking will allow the mold release lubricant to wear off, allowing the other tire components to begin working together. It is also important to note that your old tires probably had very little tread depth remaining when you felt it was time to replace them. As any autocrosser or racer who has tread rubber shaved off of his tires will tell you, low tread depth tires respond more quickly. Don't be surprised if your new tires are a little slower to respond (even if you use the exact same tire as before). Their new, full depth brings with it a little more tread squirm until they wear down."
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
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From: Northern Virginia
Don't overthink it. Drive it like a normal car would be driven on public roads. Vary speeds and rpm, including both accelerating and decelerating in gear to load the rings, and don't worry about it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
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From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
I had 30 miles on my '16 when I went on a 200 mile club trip. Trip included I-10. As meyerweb says, vary the speeds, etc. Now have close to a thousand (oil change at 503 miles) and everything is hunky dory. Enjoy! One heck of a car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: MARRIOTTSVILLE MD
In my opinion I think that statement is to guard against people trying to pull a 1G turn right off the dealer lot before the tires are fully scrubbed in.