Break-in period for driving speed

The traditional break in period for cars isn't nearly as important now as it used to be. Back in the day, the break in period was used to wear the parts gently so everything ran smooth. Now, the parts are machined to a much higher precision and don't need as much break in.

That being said, I'd drive it as gently as safety would allow (IOW, same speed as the traffic around you) - don't go trying to drive real fast right off the bat, even though the odds of something bad happening are very slim if you do.

Besides, by starting out driving gently, you'll get better fuel efficiency than you would if you started out doing 80 on the highway

 

<_< My 2007 Owner's Manual has a brief paragraph on Page 318 entitled "Break-in period" It's even Indexed.

As previously commented, there's not an extended break-in, but there is information in the Manual to help you extend the life of your Prius.

 

Ok, that just made me laugh there Charles... He clearly stated what the manual says, and yet you direct him right back to the manual... LOL. he said it sounded vague when he read it, and wanted opinions - saying "read it" doesn't do much! :lol:

 

It sounds like the break-in wording in the '07 manual is the same as in the '06 manual. IOW, drive it the way any decent driver would drive it--no jackrabbit starts, no slamming on the brakes, etc. There's no need to worry about not being able to drive at normal highway speeds during the first 600 miles.

 

Howdy eagle33199...

Glad I gave you a chuckle. I do tend to 'jump the gun' a bit on responses sometimes... no offense intended. I must read all the posts before adding my 2¢ worth. Some of the best advice I can think of is to read John's "Real American English" Manual on his web site:

http://john1701a.com/

DRIVE HAPPY

 

Most people will tell you about 1,000 miles from break in. I'll tell you 1,500 miles to ensure proper compressions and seals. It's your car after all.

Try not to use cruise control. Vary your speed on the freeway (60-65mph) every few minute to ensure better compression.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 14 2006, 08:36 PM) [snapback]349230[/snapback]</div>

I don't mean to engage in "drive-by" commentary, but the truths is that, due to the realities of modern engine building, if your rings aren't seated in a few minutes, they're never going to... at least not properly. So, how can you seat the rings quickly, before it's too late?

Run the snot out of it. (but keep reading)

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

The Mototune guy agrees with me. When I used to build (motorcycle) engines for competition, I was also a lowly motorcycle mechanic. During the mid-70s, I uncrated, assembled, serviced-out and test rode well over 300 units of the same model motorcycle. I became a near-expert on these motorcycles because we sold so many of them, and I was in the unusual situation of being a Yamaha RD350 "specialist."

Without bragging, allow me to declare here that my being the assigned caregiver (cradle-to-grave) for such large number of identical (Japanese-built) motorcycles allowed me to learn a lot about Break-in Procedure Vs. Engine Longevity & Performance. In short, I got to find out, first-hand and with no pre-conceived notions, which bikes had the highest engine output and which had the longest piston & ring-seal life. In my experience-with very little variation--both catagories were headed by the same machines. It took me quite a while to put my finger on just why I thought this was, but I'll state my conclusion here:

CONCLUSION:
The bikes that had the best performance and longest-lasting top-end integrity were the ones that were run hard right from the start... but in short bursts. Heavy throttle and high cylinder pressures push the rings onto the cylinder wall and get them to seat. "Taking it easy" might be the just about the worst thing you can do. However, there is one thing that is EVEN WORSE than taking it easy...

That is, to subject your new engine to long, gruelling high-throttle blasts. Taking your new car on a 50-mile Interstate blast at 80 mph is not good but, it must be said, that modern engines will put up with an amazing amount of concrete-headed abuse, to the point that you could do perfectly well by doing just this with your new Prius and never notice anything bad. Engines are just well-built these days.

But, if you want the best, run it hard in bursts when it's new. And no, you'll not find Toyota (or any other manufacturer) printing this in the manual, but it's not because they're afraid you'll destroy your engine. It's more likely a product liability thing. No manufacturer of any vehicle is going to tell you to "run it hard for a few days" because, as sure as the sun rises in the east, some idiot would ram his new car through a line of kids waiting to get on a school bus and, once on the stand, he'd say, "But your honor, I was just breaking in my car according to the manufacturer's instructions."

So, you break-in any way you like, but at least read the link I posted.

GeronimoPFudgemuffin

 

I heard about what Geronimo posted, but I also heard that it must be in short bursts or else you'll be creating premature wear. True Geronimo?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 16 2006, 07:09 PM) [snapback]350480[/snapback]</div>

I'd heard this in the bad old days, too. Basically, vary the speed, and give it full throttle blast now and then. I changed oil at 2000 mi. the first time too.

 

The old advice to avoid constant speeds makes no sense for a load-sensitive CVT like the Prius. Unless you are on absolutely flat terrain for hours, you CAN'T keep a constant engine RPM even if you tried to! The load changes the engine speed even with cruise control on a set speed.

Just drive it normally, and change oil at 1000 miles.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KTPhil @ Dec 4 2006, 07:15 PM) [snapback]357674[/snapback]</div>

I'm going with the dealer recommended 5,000 mile oil change interval. There is no break-in oil change necessary from everything I've heard and read.

Also, I used the cruise control on the freeway for the first time this weekend. Set it to 70mph and it held the speed perfectly at 70 the whole time, even up and down some hills. Amazing car.

Dave

 

I see mr. moto made it here as well as on the bike forums. While I have have no problem with his engine procedure, I still do not recommend it.

You are breaking-in a car, not just the engine. A brand new CVT's won't like having the crap beat out of it. It needs to be done properly or stepping can occur on the pulleys. This has come up on a Burgman Forum I belong to, it too has a CVT.

You are also breaking in the tires, brakes, and other systems.

 

As there are no pulleys in a Prius HSD pulley wear isn't a consideration for us here. I know when an engine is run in on a dynomometer it isn't long before it is run at full throttle. Some acceleration at full power will help the rings bed in properly, the worst thing you can do when running in a new engine is avoid engine load.

Tyres are normally "run in" after about 300km, that is long enough to ensure the mould release agent is worn from the tread. Modern precise gears are run in very quickly and most bearings are high speed ball and roller bearing which are ready for full load from brand new.

There is no need to thrash a car to run it in but there is no need or advantage in babying it either.

 

Agreed

 

The irony of this is that when (at least I) test drive a car prior to purchase, I try to give it a good 'workout.' Quick accelerations, hard brakes, tight turns...things that give me a feel as to how the car is going to handle under more extreme circumstances than normal daily driving. This is, of course, done well within the break-in period for any new car.