break in period?

GWithers · 04-12-2004, 08:59 PM

I think I *may* be taking delivery soon. I am hoping to drive across the country quickly after getting the car. Does anyone know if there is a break-in procedure? And would it matter if much of the first several days of driving were on interstates, instead of stop and go. I.e., would that be detrimental to early battery charging or battery life?

Thanks

Bill60546 · 04-12-2004, 09:26 PM

One week ago today I picked up my Prius in WY and drove 1300 miles back to Chicago. The only instruction given by the dealer was to vary speed by 5mph every 30min. Given that the speed limits in WY and SD are 75mph, I changed speeds every hour by 5mph ranging from 65 to 80mph while getting 48MPG. All is fine, as best I can tell. Will have the oil changed this week.

paulisme · 04-12-2004, 10:19 PM

Why are you getting the oil changed so soon?

daniel · 04-13-2004, 08:27 AM

The owner's manual just says no hard acceleration during the first 600 (?) miles, and no hard braking (other than emergency) during the first 300 (?) miles. My dealer said not to worry too much about it. Toyota recommends oil changes every 5,000 miles. Changing the speed from time to time can't hurt, but I'm not sure it matters since, unlike conventional cars, the engine speed is not tightly linked to road speed. I don't think the manual specifically requires changing speed. I'm not positive about this.

richard schumacher · 04-13-2004, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by daniel
The owner's manual just says no hard acceleration during the first 600 (?) miles, and no hard braking (other than emergency) during the first 300 (?) miles. My dealer said not to worry too much about it. Toyota recommends oil changes every 5,000 miles. Changing the speed from time to time can't hurt, but I'm not sure it matters since, unlike conventional cars, the engine speed is not tightly linked to road speed. I don't think the manual specifically requires changing speed. I'm not positive about this.

600 and 200 miles, respectively. And yes, the manual says nothing about deliberately varying speeds, no doubt for the reason you point out. The dealer was just giving the advice he always gives.

fred · 04-13-2004, 09:36 AM

after your rings are set in and your brakes are set in which is only a couple of hundred miles. just drive it like you stole it!

bookrats · 04-13-2004, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fred
after your rings are set in and your brakes are set in which is only a couple of hundred miles. just drive it like you stole it!

Well, like you stole it but want really good gas mileage.

Bill60546 · 04-13-2004, 04:39 PM

Am changing the oil early to flush out any possible small filings and misc stuff that may occur during manufacturing. Then I'll change to synthetic. This may sound extreme but have owned a couple of cars that went well over 100K miles and have yet to have any oil related problems. Brakes have been ok too.
And considering I paid MSRP and got 48MPG on the trip home, you're darn toot'n I feel like I stole it. And Car & Driver magazine is right; never again will a car with so many benefits be offered at such a price.

04-12-2004, 08:59 PM	#1
GWithers Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Maryland suburb of DC Posts: 17 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	break in period? I think I may be taking delivery soon. I am hoping to drive across the country quickly after getting the car. Does anyone know if there is a break-in procedure? And would it matter if much of the first several days of driving were on interstates, instead of stop and go. I.e., would that be detrimental to early battery charging or battery life? Thanks

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04-12-2004, 09:26 PM	#2
Bill60546 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 347 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	One week ago today I picked up my Prius in WY and drove 1300 miles back to Chicago. The only instruction given by the dealer was to vary speed by 5mph every 30min. Given that the speed limits in WY and SD are 75mph, I changed speeds every hour by 5mph ranging from 65 to 80mph while getting 48MPG. All is fine, as best I can tell. Will have the oil changed this week.

04-12-2004, 10:19 PM	#3
paulisme Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 177 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Why are you getting the oil changed so soon?

04-13-2004, 08:27 AM	#4
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 11,278 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 59 Thanked 201 Times in 127 Posts Friends: 0	The owner's manual just says no hard acceleration during the first 600 (?) miles, and no hard braking (other than emergency) during the first 300 (?) miles. My dealer said not to worry too much about it. Toyota recommends oil changes every 5,000 miles. Changing the speed from time to time can't hurt, but I'm not sure it matters since, unlike conventional cars, the engine speed is not tightly linked to road speed. I don't think the manual specifically requires changing speed. I'm not positive about this.

04-13-2004, 09:36 AM	#6
fred Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: nashville Posts: 235 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	after your rings are set in and your brakes are set in which is only a couple of hundred miles. just drive it like you stole it!

04-13-2004, 04:39 PM	#8
Bill60546 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 347 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Am changing the oil early to flush out any possible small filings and misc stuff that may occur during manufacturing. Then I'll change to synthetic. This may sound extreme but have owned a couple of cars that went well over 100K miles and have yet to have any oil related problems. Brakes have been ok too. And considering I paid MSRP and got 48MPG on the trip home, you're darn toot'n I feel like I stole it. And Car & Driver magazine is right; never again will a car with so many benefits be offered at such a price.