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Break in

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Hy-Bird, Dec 23, 2009.

  1. Hy-Bird

    Hy-Bird Junior Member

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    How many miles is the break in before I can drive normal? I'm driving like grandma now don't want to damage the engine.
     
  2. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    i think it's 1,000. But
    1. Don't drive at the same speed. Very your speed as much as you can, avoid highway trips untill you get more miles on it.
    2. Be easy on the brakes.
    3. You don't need to drive like a grandma, don't drive like a race car driver either. Don't floor it, but it's fine to take off at a normal speed. Driving like a grandma would be bad if your going the same speed all the time, IE going 45 in a 55 for 100 miles.

    Anyways i highly recomend you read the manual, it says what to do and how long for.
     
  3. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    The break in recommendations are in the owner's manual.
     
  4. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Yeah, the info is in the manual. It's what's been mentioned but it 'may' be 600 miles not 1000 but I am not 100% certain off hand so do check the manual.
     
  5. Hy-Bird

    Hy-Bird Junior Member

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    The only problem I always on the highway cause of work. So I try to keep it between 65-75mph and easy on gas. Hopefully that didn't ware the engine down during break in.
     
  6. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    May I suggest that you run the car in rather than break it in! After all, you paid beaucoup bucks for the privilege I assume!
     
  7. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    to be honest as long as you don't go 75 the whole time, Say you go 65 then speed up to 75, you should be fine. And if before and after you get on the highway it would be better in you drove a few miles that included stop and go traffic.

    Most people don't worry about break in, and they don't seem to have problems with there cars. So don't worry to much. Don't use the cruise for the time being.
     
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Just drive it. People worry way to much about the "break in period".
     
  9. Hy-Bird

    Hy-Bird Junior Member

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    I don't get it why when the vehicle is new (under 600 miles) you can't drive constant speed for extended time? Does that mean you can't drive on the freeway? I drive my Prius to work and from work always on the freeway. Does that mean my car is dying soon?:eek:
     
  10. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I don't know either but I have been told that different parts wear in differently at different speeds. If that is true it doesn't really apply to the Prius because in our cars the engine speed varies constantly anyway.

    If I watch the tach while going down the freeway at 70 MPH it's usually around 2500 (if I remember correctly) but the RPM changes from 1500 up to 3500 and everywhere in between as the car goes up and down little hills that I don't even notice. In the mountains I have seen it go as high 5300 and down to 960.

    I think the break in information in the owners manual is just a cut and paste from other owner's manuals and is really not relevant to the Prius.
     
  11. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Yep.

    I think they just want the part's in the motor to wear in at all different speeds for the first part of its life. I highly doubt it will make any difference in the life of the ICE that any of us would notice, i wonder about the electric m otors though, it could make a difference on the bearing life.