I'm picking up my car tomorrow (Lemans Sunset, Touring, 5AT). I'll be doing some limited city driving for a few days, and then I'm planning on taking a 1300 mile road trip down to Tunica, Mississippi.

What are some guidelines for breaking in the engine? Do I need to keep it below a certain speed?

Do modern engines really require a formal break in period?

I'll check the manual tomorrow, of course, but would appreciate any thoughts or advice forum members have to offer.

 

Controversial subject. The manual I believe says vary RPMs and keep it under 4000 RPM until 1200 miles. Let your conscience be your guide

 

adamrx,

Do a forum search on this site for "break in" and/or "breakin" and you'll find several threads with heated discussions and many opinions on this topic, enough to fill a novel!

 

This subject has been discussed at length on this board, whole long threads devoted to it. Do a search on "break in period".

Boiled down: Manual says don't take it above 4000 RPM for 1200 miles. Many people are doing that, it is painful. A lot of people are not doing that for many different reasons, including the fact that most modern engines do not require a formal breakin period.

(My personal opinion, under 4000 RPM for 1200 miles is Nissan CYA on a new car model and may result in a long-term slower engine.)

All agree that keeping a car at the same RPM for long periods when it's new will cause harm. Suggest you shift from 6th to 5th occasionally or (best idea) take backroads not interstate.

 

I would suggest the most important things are 1. Vary the speeds constantly, never go for over 20-25 miles at the same speed; 2. Don't exceed the Torque peak(4800rpm) until after 600 miles; and 3. Don't redline the car while it has under 1000 miles on it. Don't baby it, but don't drive it like a race car with less than 1000-1200 miles on it. If you don't want to do numbers 2 and 3, never forget number 1. The most important breakin procedure by far, in my opinion.

Boomer--use it or lose it, I don't care.