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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z
View Poll Results: Break-in or not?
No, break-in is a myth and is not needed.
35
7.66%
Yes, but occasional redline and cooldown to produce a FAST engine
127
27.79%
Yes, nothing over 4,000 RPM for the first 1200 miles, with varying RPMs
256
56.02%
Yes, nothing over 3,000 RPM for the first 1200 miles, with varying RPMs
16
3.50%
I don't want to break-in my Z... I have a key to get in it.
23
5.03%
Voters: 457. You may not vote on this poll

Will/did you break-in your Z?

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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 08:17 AM
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Default Will/did you break-in your Z?

Poll...
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 09:11 AM
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Does Redlining during break in actually work to produce a faster engine? Or just a "myth"?
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 09:27 AM
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I vote for "Yes, nothing over 4,000 RPM for the first 1200 miles, with varying RPMs"

Somewhere in the manual, I read that the tach should be kept under 4K RPM for the first 1.2K miles. This is my 4th brand new car that I have bought in my life and I ALWAYS break it in by driving mildly during the first 3K miles with varying speeds on the fwy. I plan to do the same for my Z.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 09:28 AM
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Originally posted by SandMan
Does Redlining during break in actually work to produce a faster engine? Or just a "myth"?
Well, there are members here that seem very convinced of it. I do not think so... but then again, I don't know too much about cars to begin with.

Do a search, and (I forgot his name) but there is a certain co-karting fellow who seems to have the technical know-how as to why redlining would produce a faster engine.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 09:36 AM
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Originally posted by SLVR Z
I have bought in my life and I ALWAYS break it in by driving mildly during the first 3K miles with varying speeds on the fwy. I plan to do the same for my Z.
This is my first NEW car, and so I am doing the same "under 4k for 1200 miles" procedure.

However, how exactly to I vary the RPM's? When I'm on the FWY, I occasionally downshift to 5th gear at 60-65 mph as to not exceed 4k RPM. When I'm just cruising on 6th on the FWY, I slow it down to 65 mph and go to 80 mph, and back and forth. (Cars following me get mad, but they forgive me when they see the Z's beautiful ****)

On local streets, isn't normal driving enough to vary the RPMs? Or is there something special someone else does?

Let me know!
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 09:39 AM
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Not sure, but I was told by a friend that stop and go driving isn't too great. But I could be wrong.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 09:50 AM
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Originally posted by SandMan
Not sure, but I was told by a friend that stop and go driving isn't too great. But I could be wrong.
In my daily commute of 25 miles each way, there is a period in the morning (only in the morning) for the first 2 miles where it is stop and go. But I make sure the engine is warmed up, and I go around the block a couple times just for good measure.

I don't see how 2 miles of stop and go can do any harm!
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 09:54 AM
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NOOOOO 2 MILES?? That's going to cause major trouble. j/k I don't think it should do anything. I think my friend was talking about constant stop and go driving. Like NYC driving or something, now that is a torture test for the Z.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 10:52 AM
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Hey Sandman, I just noticed you're also Korean American and 25 years of age.

Nice to meet you brother!
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 10:55 AM
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Nice to meet you too Bulishzl. Still waiting on my Z tho. Should be here soon. Hope you are enjoying your new baby.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 12:15 PM
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oh....friendly neighborhood pot head has moved in.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 12:18 PM
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Originally posted by rpgonzalez
oh....friendly neighborhood pot head has moved in.
LOL!!!

We welcome them too.

Sandman - I am enjoying my new "baby" so much that my old baby (GF) is getting jealous. She told me the other day "Why can't you give me that special treatment!!!"

LOL!
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 12:24 PM
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Default aero vs. auto

I wonder what the difference is between airplane and auto engines in the same horsepower range...

when I break in a new airplane engine I do the factory recomended full power runs every 10 minutes of so for the first 50 hours of operation. The factory says it's good to run the engine at peak power for a few minutes at a time and vary power output in cruise flight the rest of the time. It is NOT suggested to baby the engine in any way.

What would be the determining difference between doing that in an aero engine and not going over 4,000 rpm in an auto engine??
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 12:26 PM
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Originally posted by rpgonzalez
oh....friendly neighborhood pot head has moved in.
There's nothing wrong with a lil' medicine

Bullishz- That's how it usually goes. lol Oh well she'll get over it. Eventually.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 12:29 PM
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Default Re: aero vs. auto

Originally posted by N74DV
What would be the determining difference between doing that in an aero engine and not going over 4,000 rpm in an auto engine??
Well, like I said, I am a dumbass when it comes to technical info about cars...

But Nissan says keep it under 4k RPM... so that's what I'll do.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 12:47 PM
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yeah... I'm not a full blown technical kinda guy either.... I just do what the factory says... I was curious though
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 01:58 PM
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I'm trying to follow the break-in plan, but I already find myself thinking ... "well, maybe at 500 miles I can go to 4500, then at 700 miles I can go to 5000, ..."

This car is way too much fun to drive.
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 02:05 PM
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Default YES!

Better safe than sorry.

Not only did I keep it below 4000 rpms, I changed the Oil at 970 miles!

Oh Well!

Eric
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 02:25 PM
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Originally posted by irishfan
I'm trying to follow the break-in plan, but I already find myself thinking ... "well, maybe at 500 miles I can go to 4500, then at 700 miles I can go to 5000, ..."

This car is way too much fun to drive.
I was thinking the EXACT same thing today!!!

But I think I'll stick to going under 4k RPM for 1,200 miles... only about 800 more miles to go!
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Old Oct 24, 2002 | 02:34 PM
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oh...I just wanted to add...that the manual ALSO says that bogging down the engine is worse than going above 4000 rpm. The reason I decided to start breaking the 4000 rpm mark was because I found myself trying to go fast by pressing the gas down half way and then shifting before 4k.


If you are/have been driving hard BUT shifting before 4k, you are NOT being kind to your engine...in fact doing more harm than good. I finally realized that depressing the gas 1/4 of the way but shifting at 5k is better than 1/2 way and 4k.
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