Oh, I'm not flaming. I said "no offense". You think you've got trucks there, you should come to Tennessee. It's red here; just pink there.

So.........by your logic, you've made the argument that Synthetic is bad for engines. Hard to make one data point work, isn't it?

Still not flaming....Wayne

 

Maybe I wasn't clearly explaining myself. I totally AGREE with you that this by NO MEANS a scientific test. There is nothing meaningful that can be extrapolated from what I said. There are just far too many variables. I was just trying to offer my expierience with engine break in that was contrary to my expected ideas. I didn't think you were flaming me nor did I take offense to what you said. I just expected everyone else to start flaming "Cuz I was talkin' bout trucks."
I would have to disagree with you there. I sold cars for 2 years and according to sales number for Ford and Chevy (not sure aobut Dodge or import trucks) Texas is by far #1.

 

OK, that's cool. Thanks for posting your experiences.

Well, maybe Texas is #1 in sales, but you need to count the ones in Tennessee that are up on blocks, too. We may still be #1!

WayneTN

 

I just ordered my 350Z today, enthusiast for $30,600 out the door. This is great help! Eric you are just as **** as I am...changing the oil at 970mi is something I would do....I can not wait till I get it.

 

What about day 1,096 when your warranty runs out? Then you own a car that's been driven into the ground. Good luck......

 

I've rebuilt more engines than I care to remember - if you baby a new engine it won't break in as well as one that has been driven a bit harder. I ran my 350Z like I planned to drive it less about 10% - I hit 6600 on the first day but only very briefly. I've done compression tests on motors that have been driven hard from day 1 and they generally come up with better compressions than those that were not driven hard. Heat is the enemy on a new engine - you don't want it to get too hot until it is freed up. A good rev every now and then will do no harm at all provided it is brief - do not sit at 80mph for more than 5 or 10 minuets at a time - the best way is to vary your speed - go quick for a while then slow down, repeat etc.

Sitting on 4000 revs for a long time will ruin the engine or at best it will not be run in at 1200 miles and you will do damage then when you let it out. Basically the motor is just wearing away the rough edges - there is more friction and therefore more heat build up - thats why a sustained run even at 4000 revs is bad.

My 2 cents worth.

 

The Owner has it right. An engine really is "broken in" after a few miles, couple of minutes. Run synthetic from day 1.
JMS inTX

 

The rings will in some cases not bed in as well with synthetic oil as it has such good friction qualities. I would change to synthetic after about 300 to 400 miles - maybe a bit more.

 

Well, 1200 miles isn't too much of a wait... and you never really know anyhow. Just have the patience... and at least you can tell the person you sell your car to, that you have followed the Nissan recommended break-in procedure.

 

LOL at The Owner! Tell 'em bro!

My $.02: I agree with CAR2. I don't claim to be an expert but based on my experience, cars that are driven fairly hard from the first day do seem to do better in the long term. Its all relative though, driving it hard does not mean bumping the rev limiter every time you leave from a stop light, or running at high loads/revs for long periods of time.

I know this isn't the best example, but when we rebuild/freshen a motor in one of our race cars, the breakin is done in the shop and takes all of five minutes. After that, it gets run hard like the sloppy motor it previously was as soon as it hits the track. These rebuilds include rings and sometimes bearings. They usually don't include replacing cams or components in the valve train, but these items don't need a lot of miles to break in either.

Really, I think it somewhat comes down to how you plan to drive the car. There is one theory that running it hard from the start helps because the internals wear in with everything stressed and distorted. If the breakin is done totally at light loads and low revs, then the wear in occurs under low stress conditions and distortion is less. Then, later on when you start using the go pedal more, the fit between things such as piston rings and cylinders isn't as good as it could have been. Of course, if you never plan to run it hard, then this may not apply. And if that's the case, I ask what are you doing behind the wheel of a sports car?

 

I definitely think you should drive it during the "break-in" like you're going to drive it any other time. I'm sure Nissan considered the fact that not everyone will be doing the break-in, that was their "card up the sleeve", insurance.

 

I just reached break-in mileage (1200). Should I be getting an oil change now? Thanks.

 

Break in should be done with dino oil, synthetic from day one is a bad idea.

 

Yes, synth lubricates TOO well and won't allow the friction that needs to take place during break-in. Switch to synth after the first 1000 miles or more.

 

Got mine end of June with 11 miles, only have 600 now.

Still babying it until I hit 1200. I will definately get my oil changed at 1200 before I hit it hard.