break-in different question

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

steve20

Joined
Jun 19, 2007
Messages
3,485
Location
Morris County NJ
Hi- surprised it took me this long to come up with idea---looking for learned opinions.
I will be buying my son 2017 Jetta 1.8T automatic before the end of this month.
What are the thoughts on adding Red-Line-Break-In-Additive as soon as the car is out of sight of the dealer---?
I follow the tried-and-true break-in method---slowly, but purposely. I drive each new car for 600-700 miles with the sole purpose of breaking-in the car, and to have the least number of 'cold' starts possible->usually less than 10, as I drive them all day X 1 week.
Steve
 
Nntey-nine per-cent of new car owners don't follow any special "break in" (as many feel it's not needed nor required-because it's not the 1960s) and their cars last a very long time.

That's my "learned opinion".
 
Last edited:
Similarly, my... learned opinion would be to follow the instructions in the owner's manual, if any. I think my cars said to avoid full-throttle acceleration for the first 500 miles, and not to drive at a constant, steady speed.
 
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Similarly, my... learned opinion would be to follow the instructions in the owner's manual, if any. I think my cars said to avoid full-throttle acceleration for the first 500 miles, and not to drive at a constant, steady speed.



This is hard to do in city traffic-isn't it? Drive at a constant speed?
 
Originally Posted By: CKN
Nntey-nine per-cent of new car owners don't follow any special "break in" (as many feel it's not needed nor required-because it's not the 1960s) and their cars last a very long time. ...
Similarly, the 1960s were not the 1930s, so owners' manuals back then said much the same things then that they do today. Specifically, the 1962 Chevrolet manual advised "Special design and precision manufacturing methods will permit you to operate your new Chevrolet in a normal manner from its very first mile without adhering to a formal 'break-in' schedule." It went on to make the usual suggestions: "gentle" braking, varying speeds, avoiding "jack rabbit" launches, avoiding very high speeds, etc.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: CR94
Originally Posted By: CKN
Nntey-nine per-cent of new car owners don't follow any special "break in" (as many feel it's not needed nor required-because it's not the 1960s) and their cars last a very long time. ...
Similarly, the 1960s were not the 1930s, so owners' manuals back then said much the same things then that they do today. Specifically, the 1962 Chevrolet manual advised "Special design and precision manufacturing methods will permit you to operate your new Chevrolet in a normal manner from its very first mile without adhering to a formal 'break-in' schedule." It went on to make the usual suggestions: "gentle" braking, varying speeds, avoiding "jack rabbit" launches, avoiding very high speeds, etc.


I can remember Japanese cars coming from the factory with "break in oil" that had to be changed at 500 miles or so........
 
Originally Posted By: CKN
... I can remember Japanese cars coming from the factory with "break in oil" that had to be changed at 500 miles or so........
That must've been because they didn't yet have the "special design and precision manufacturing methods" GM used in 1961---to make engines that were antique designs even then.
 
Breaking in is not just the engine, it's all the moving parts. Transmissions, diffs, brakes etc. Follow the manual.
 
Originally Posted By: CR94
Originally Posted By: CKN
... I can remember Japanese cars coming from the factory with "break in oil" that had to be changed at 500 miles or so........
That must've been because they didn't yet have the "special design and precision manufacturing methods" GM used in 1961---to make engines that were antique designs even then.



Yep-American cars in the 60's and 70's were great examples of quality control. We had great American economy cars like the FORD Pinto, Chevrolet Vega, and Chevrolet Chevette.

Three big reason why the Japanese gained market share in the 70's.
 
Originally Posted By: CKN
This is hard to do in city traffic-isn't it? Drive at a constant speed?

One would assume it means such as with the speed control on.

Here is what it says exactly, it has been so long ago I forgot:

Quote:
Break-in period
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
Run the engine at moderate speed between 2000 and 4000 rpm.
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive slowly with the manual transmission in high gear.
Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast or slow.
 
Originally Posted By: kschachn
CKN said:
One would assume it means such as with the speed control on.

Here is what it says exactly, it has been so long ago I forgot:

Quote:
Break-in period
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
Run the engine at moderate speed between 2000 and 4000 rpm.
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive slowly with the manual transmission in high gear.
Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast or slow.


Never heard of that one.I've always varied speeds going 55,60,65,70,75 and even hitting 80 in the first few hundred miles.
Click to expand...
 
I wouldn't advise adding anything to the FF since the factory knows what's required for its engines.
If this is a very high moly add, it might interfere with break-in rather than assisting it.
Run the FF as long as VW recommends or in the absence of any recommendation of a minimum run-time, change it early at maybe 3K.
Other than that, don't run it really hard or to redline until after 1K or so.
The average buyer thinks about as much about break-in as they do about intelligent life on extra-solar planets and their engines last as long as those owned by those of us who may be a little OCD when it comes to our cars.
Most of us aren't buying newly rebuilt vintage Ferrari V-12s, so most of us need have little concern about engine break-in.
 
No additives needed. Just change it before 2,000 miles, let it warm up a little (30 secs.?) before taking off for the first 5-10K, and within the first thousand miles take it out somewhere of an evening, good and warm (aka, not just out of your driveway), and run 2-3 drag passes through 70-80 MPH but don't exceed 75% of redline. This is the treatment my Cruze got and, by coincidence or not, at 94K it doesn't lose a drop of oil between changes. From my experience loading the rings before they finish seating is a real thing.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Colt
Never heard of that one.I've always varied speeds going 55,60,65,70,75 and even hitting 80 in the first few hundred miles.


Yeah! Every mechanic I've ever heard talking about breaking in new engines advised *against* constant speeds. He said to vary your speed all the time, and sometimes to accelerate harshly (like 3/4 throttle, if not WOT every now and again) to properly seat the seals; they say otherwise your car might burn more oil if you don't properly break-in the engine as they advised.
 
Originally Posted By: SilverFusion2010
Mototune USA. Google it. Imo it's the best possible way. If you read what your OM wants it is what mototune suggests... After the lawyers got done with it.


300727564e.png


Yep, that's what always heard, too.
 
Thanks guys-appreciate the advise- I am following VW break-in 'suggestions' listed in the manual.

I was wondering since RedLine offers a break-in additive, why not use it when breaking-in a brand new factory engine---?

Thanks again
Steve
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
Questions regarding A3/B4 vs API
Replies
8
Views
757
ARCOgraphite
R
10.2k miles Mobil 1 SN+ 5w-20 & 7.4k miles Motorcraft 5w-20 break in - 2019 Mustang GT
Replies
3
Views
567
fantastic
U
2002 Sebring O/C and tune up
Replies
3
Views
234
harbor
Don_M
Obsessed detailer in a former life - The obsession is back
2
Replies
31
Views
1K
Turbo Actual
S
Choosing between Amsoil and Mystik for wheel bearing grease
Replies
10
Views
2K
Sumboodie
Back
Top Bottom