Engine break-in during winter

[vinu_neuro]

I will be in the market for a new car. Some of the best deals I've gotten are toward the end of the year and during peak winter (Jan-Mar).

However, with a new car this also means having to break in the engine when temps are very low in many parts of the country. Thoughts on deferring a purchase until there's warmer weather for optimal break-in?

 

[Chris142]

Stop overthinking this. Millions of cars are sold in the cold and they live long lives.

 

[ctechbob]

Stop overthinking this. Millions of cars are sold in the cold and they live long lives.

This x100

 

[930.engineering]

Operating temp is probably the same. It just takes longer to reach. Do a weekend trip with the new car (and one early oil change if you feel better with it).

 

[Mainia]

Add cardboard in front of 1/2 to 3/4 the radiator. Watch the coolant temps in an OBD2 app. Load the piston rings!!!!

 

[R1jake]

I have some pretty sever issues with OCD but have never thought Aabout having issues with break in during cold weather. Just drive it a bit more aggressive and it will make plenty of heat for break in.

 

[Propflux01]

Add cardboard in front of 1/2 to 3/4 the radiator. Watch the coolant temps in an OBD2 app. Load the piston rings!!!!

The bolded for sure.

 

[vinu_neuro]

The concern isn't about not generating enough heat. It's the cold starts with highly viscous oil, in an engine where the rings haven't been run in yet.

 

[CleanSump]

The concern isn't about not generating enough heat. It's the cold starts with highly viscous oil, in an engine where the rings haven't been run in yet.

New car will have 0W- (maybe 5W-) oil in it. "Highly viscous" isn't a factor unless it's like - 40, Arctic frigid, bears sleeping, brr brr cold.

 

[Oro_O]

The bolded for sure.

+1.

Some factory break-in procedures are 30-60mph WOT sprints. I've broken in rebuilds this way.

 

[930.engineering]

What "factory"? Evidence please.

 

[kschachn]

The concern isn't about not generating enough heat. It's the cold starts with highly viscous oil, in an engine where the rings haven't been run in yet.

What does that do?

 

[kschachn]

New car will have 0W- (maybe 5W-) oil in it. "Highly viscous" isn't a factor unless it's like - 40, Arctic frigid, bears sleeping, brr brr cold.

When cold all oil is highly viscous regardless of the winter rating.

 

[64bawagon]

The vehicle will have been run after being built, when loaded on transport and after it arrives at the dealership for whatever period of time before you buy it. Anything a consumer does after all that is irrelevant. No one is babying that vehicle.

 

[nomas]

Stop overthinking this.

But , this is BITOG .

 

[tnt_motorsports]

follow the manufacturers recommendation. Cars are sold all the time in Winnipeg, so Chicago is nothing, lol! Most modern vehicles don't require the extensive break in that older cars needed back in the day.

Just my $0.02

 

[ironman_gq]

last vehicle I bought in the middle of February during a polar vortex, it was -35F. Did a 400mi round trip on day 2 and hooked a skid steer to it by the end of the week and pulled that around all weekend. Really don't think too hard about this. Start the engine and give it a minute or two to get the oil moving then drive reasonably till it's warmed up, then drive normally.