What's the best way to break-in new engine?

As you will discover when you DO NOT BUY A CIVIC, the Prius is a unique car and the old rules don't completely apply. For example, the computer decides when to start the engine, based on how much you push the accelerator and how hard. It also spins up the engine to about 1000 rpm without gas or spark, then applies them when oil is already moving in the engine.

Similarly, when you step on the brakes, regenerative braking takes your forward motion and turns it into electricity to store in the HV battery; the hydraulic brakes that regular cars use don't start to be applied until about 7 mph.

Sure, the conventional wisdom of not driving at 90 mph for long periods and avoiding jamming on your brakes if you can avoid it still apply, but the Prius is fairly easy on the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) since it only uses it at optimal power ranges and turns it off every chance it can.

Some people change their oil early on the first fill, but Toyota only requires a change every 5000 miles. Considering how the ICE doesn't run all the time, 5000 miles on a Prius is more like 3000 miles on a regular car. Use the Search function for used oil analysis and you'll find lots of discussion on how hard the Prius isn't on oil.

Did the poster on that other site own a lot of oil stock?

 

Just drive it and stop worrying so much. <_<

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LandCruiser @ Apr 1 2007, 03:00 AM) [snapback]415869[/snapback]</div>

This description sounds somewhat similar to what I saw here. I'm not sure whether or not I buy this guy's argument, although the pictures he has of the torn down engines are compelling assuming that, like everything else on the internet, they are accurate!

 

My two cents. I have some auto repair books from the 60's that are very good. They recommend a break in somewhat similar to this. After full warm up on a freshly built engine, moderately 50-75% appx load the engine, like accelerating from 30-50. Do this as many times as possible, coasting between accelerations. They don't say wide open though. The reason is the ring seating only, the bearings are supposed to be protected by oil film, not wearing against each other. Contrary to opinion I don't think the tolerances or finishes of cylinders are any different than forty years ago, the cylinder finish is required to have a certain roughness when new.

On the other hand Toyota says only to drive easy for 600 miles in the manual, avoid revving high. I have been following both for the first few hundred miles. The Prius engine is so different, it often is under low stress, like a fast idle. It could be the engines are run in some at the factory, don't know. I assume each is bench tested. In any case I expect them to be good engines, but don't know why the factory in Japan overfilled my oil by 1/4 in.

 

Are you aware that some vehicles, including the Corvette, come from the factory with synthetic oil?

 

The OP does NOT indicate that he/she owns a Prius {note Profile}.

Page 318 of the Owner's Manual provides tips on the Break-In period, quoted:

Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But following a few simple tips for the first 1000 km (600 miles) can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle.

• Avoid full-throttle acceleration when starting and driving.
• Avoid racing the hybrid engine.
• Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).

Enough said.

 

All bow before the almighty Manuel! :lol: :lol: :lol:
sorry cant help it

 

I broke in my engine by just driving normally.