Just got a 35th AE over the weekend, trying to break it in.

Owner's manual says to keep the rpm's under 4000 for the first 1200 miles (easy enough to do), but then it says to avoid keeping it at constant speeds, either fast or slow.

My question is that I'm going to attempt to break it in driving to work (about a 30-35 mile drive), but most of that is freeway driving, which is going to be more or less a "constant speed".

Is it that actual groundspeed that's to be avoided or is it the constant rpm's the engine is going to be held at, given that constant speed?

 

Jusr got a Z myself, and they are refering to holding a constant RPM

 

I still think its a break in conspiracy. Just drive it like you stole it from day one. Change your oil after about 500 miles and your good to go. Im sorry, I just dont buy the drive slow for over 1200 crap. My 2 cents. BEN

 

I've heard that you should change your oil after the break in (1200 miles) in this case. I also noticed that the guys from horse power TV did this when they where breaking in a new engine. The argument is that when breaking in, large chunks of metal from grinding will be caught in the first batch of oil.

Then again, I read somewhere (probably on this forum). That Nissan revs the motors at high RPMs before they leave the factory. If so this would completely contradict the whole premise of doing a break in.

I am easily fooled. I mean, if it was on TV it "has to be real"...right?

-LamaZ

 

This answer might sound controversial, but if you are planning on keeping the car for like over 100k miles, then you should take really good care of the engine as well as you can. Do the break-in...

if you are driving at constant speed, shift gears up and down every so often.

If you think you'll sell the car like 75000 miles down the road, then honestly, who cares about breaking it in properly? It will definitely last you that long even if you abuse it.

 

I am at 850 miles on my car. I have been driving it easy (shifting at 4000) most of the time, with infrequent runs to about 5000rpms. From what I can have heard, its wise to be nice to the car while in the break in period, and yet, is actually a good thing to run it a little hard. Just don't do it frequently, and don't ping the redline, and don't hold it at high RPM's for a long time.

Maybe I am wrong, but that's what I have heard.

 

Follow the manual.

Vary speed if you can but varying RPMs should give the same result.

 

varying the rpm will give you better result than varying the speed, and yes, take it up to a little over 5000 rpm once in a while after 1200 miles to engage the second valve profile will make your motor top healthy. I think like after 5000 miles you can redline almost all you want.

 

Reference please. Thanks?

 

use the search feature...you will find tons of old references on this subject.

As I have in the past, the break-in for my wife's Quest and my ZR was 100% the same....kinda makes ya wonder

 

Thanks for the info and advice. Very helpful.

Yeah, I kind of figured the rpm's were more important to vary than actual speed.

Anyway, thanks again. I've always felt that folks on this forum were a heck of a lot nicer/more helpful than the other forums (not to name any particular ones...).

 

Yeah, I'll probably keep this car for quite some time. I don't plan on selling it anytime soon. I figured that this particular incarnation of the Z is a keeper.

 

And dont forget to shift gears slowly and as often as possible for proper break in as well. That could result in smoother shifts later on.

 

+1

 

Honestly like someone mentioned earlier...its good to get best of the both worlds on this aspect......with all honesty you should go ahead and drive it how you are normally going to be driving the car....plain and simple...obviously every street light is not going to be a race but its good to punch it every once in while. In the same sense you can drive it normal. I drove my car exactly how Ive been driving it and I have 36000 miles on it and no problems....car is running perfectly. You also want your car to go ahead and be able to adjust to the driver....so just break-in the car how you are going to treat it on an everyday basis.

 

LOL the motor has already been broken in at the factory. What was said earlier about nissan revving it before it even gets in your hands is correct. There are no "large metal chunks" thats from the 60s-80's and is no longer valid. Driving it like you stole it is fine as long as you dont drive it like an idiot. Make sure you get plenty of heat cycles and dont stay over 4k for EXTENDED periods but still get over 4k sometimes. Acceleration under load is a great engine breakin method once warmed up.

 

Really? Ive never heard that. Can you tell me why or how you know that? Not calling BS but im interested to know.

 

^^ GATTI hit it right the initial break in has allready been done. But it doesnt hurt to follow what these guys are saying, everyone has a different view on this. Mine is drive it like it will be driven everyday.

 

Just bought my Z , 2005 Enthusiast 6 speed manual . So I guess that 1200 mile break in is probably just a reccommendation and not a "must do" .
I just bought a Honda Pilot ...they say avoid "sudden starts and stops" for 600 mi .
My Jeep Wrangler says in its manual "drive at 50 mph or less and avoid constant speed for 1500 mi"

 

Leave for work earlier and take a mixture of city streets and the freeway if possible. Sounds like your freeway drive has very little traffic, so all of the additional stop signs in the city will give your engine and tranny a variety.