Hi Everyone,

I got my Z back in January and have only put on 376 miles. Acording to the owner's manual break-in is the first 1200 miles. Nissan says not to rev above 4000 RPM. Is there anything else I need to do/know and keep an eye on during this period?

I plan to keep the Z for a while so I am trying to take it easy and not get a heavy right foot

Thanking you in advance.

 

You got it back in January and only have 376 miles?! Wow, weekend warrior huh? Anyway, this topic has been debated over and over with no clear answer. What it all comes down to is who do you want to listen to--Nissan's engineers or speculation. Personally I'm going by the book and not reving it over 4k rpm for the first 1200 mi.

 

Follow your manual. The breakin isn't only for the internal works of the engine, but for all associated parts. My motto is when in doubt, follow your manual! ZRA.

 

First 1200 Miles? No reving over 4K?

Whoops!

What if I go really fast in reverse?

 

Yeah, Whoops is right. I just got the car on Saturday night and I've been letn' er rip. O'well I just can't fight the temptation

 

If you plan on using your car as a daily driver, or if you plan on keeping the vehicle indefinately, it would be very wise to follow the break in procedure. Don't rev over 4k, don't floor it or accelerate faster than absolutely necessary, and don't keep a steady speed. If you follow the rules, you should have an engine that stays strong and efficient for over 200k miles, and a healthy car in general.

There are very many good reasons to follow the break in.

Be patient, and enjoy your car.

 

The jacka**hole dealer that I visited within the past week told me there was "absolutely no break-in period" for the Z or any other Nissan car. He even visited the shop and talked to a mechanic who had "been to class and everything" on the Z and confirmed that there was absolutely no break-in period. I did not believe him and would have forgiven him for his ignorance had he not been such a complete jerk to me while I was there trying to find some answers (just on timetables for orders, etc. All my other questions are researched on this wonderful board.). Granted, I'm 18 and was probably not deemed the most likely to purchase a Z. But as I (along with my gf) was the only customer on the lot, I thought there would have been no harm in conversing politely with me as opposed to making it apparent that I was wasting his valuable time. He said things like "expensive toy" and "same as is in the..." when referring to the Z and the VQ, not a way to sell a car if you ask me.

Anyway, sorry for highjacking the thread, I was just blowing off steam. Dumb A salespeople kill me, I know I'm young, but when there is NO ONE else looking around, what harm am I doing by asking him useful questions?

 

Haha its not a weekend warrior Its just that I work for my folks and thats just two miles from my home. So that equates to four miles daily. Its gonna take forever to reach 1200 miles

 

Hey man I'm 17 myself. The Z was a graduation gift from my parents. Looks like that dealer dosen't know what they are talking about. I feel sorry for the people who follow there advice and don't do the proper break-in.

Thanks for the help everyone

 

Call 1-800-Nissan1 and report the dealership.

 

Landbarger...I feel your pain man, right now i have two cars, a 98 chevy truck (my work truck), and a 1990 chevy lumina, they dont take me serious at all when i come into the dealer, especially when i show them what i drive. but i finally found a dealer who took me serious and knew what he was talkin about. also on a side note i live in CT i checked out 3 dealers in my area, the first two had Zs on the lot, and the third one didn't, but when i asked the third one, the dealer was like, no we dont have any, the only places i know what do are like california, i was just like "ok man, well see ya later", some of them are just plain stupid.
Oh well, in january when i go to buy my Z i know what dealer i will be going to.

 

?? So did you parents say you aren't allowed to drive outside of work? I put 3000 miles on my Z in hte first month, typically i do ~1000/month. Go hit some backroads, cruise around at night, drive across your state and back on a Saturday! I did 1200 miles with nothing over 3500, changed the oil at 1000miles, dyno'd it and it made 235rwhp which is just average. Not that peak dyno numbers tell all, but I guess I'll know in 5 years how my engine reliability compares to everyone else.. I'd be more worried about breaking in the transmission, as those break more than the engines do!

 

I would love to cruise across state but I have no time So you have to change the oil at the 1000 mile mark? Then every 3000 miles after?

 

I don't know how many miles you had on your Z when you bought it, but don't you think it hit over 4000 RPM during them any test drives it probably had?

The 4000 RPM rule is stupid because it is going to be broken

 

It did hit 4000 RPM numerous times. I just try to avoid from getting on it from stoplight to stoplight.