Hey Experienced Maxima owners,

So what're the good break-in rules for a brand new Maxima?? I mean, I need it to commute on the freeway and all, but I know I shouldn't go that fast.

It says in the instruction that I shouldn't go "high speed for a long distance" ?? Well what's considered long distance? Is an hour of driving around 65 ok?

Please advise!

 

The important thing to remember is that a new engine & transmission are going to be "tight". The best break-in procedure is to have the engine cycle thru its various RPM ranges (but not too high) in addition to to having the transmission cycle thru it's various gears (auto and manual). The best way to do this is to drive on a road that will have some stop and go traffic. This will also allow the brakes to break in more quickly.

You should try to NOT maintain a single speed for too long. Even if you are on the highway, drive the car at 55-60mph for a short period of time then slow down to 50 or so for a short time period then back up to 60-65.

This has worked well for me on 3 of my Maxima's; including the present one.

 

in the future, try to use the "search" function. this is a topic that's been discussed many times.

as a general rule though, i would keep revs above 2.5K to a mininum and never break 3.5K until you reach 1000 miles. on the highway, just vary your speed a bit. try not to brake too hard either.

i would think it's not more about hard and fast rules, as it is about using common sense in not beating on your car for the first 1000 miles.

 

Just drive it like there isn't anything wrong with it.

 

also, dont forget your brakes are new.. take it easy on them.. they warp very easily.

As for highway speed, you are also breaking in your wheel bearings and such. Sometimes you cant help going 65-70, its dangerous not to. I doubt you'd do any harm.

Its just alittle insurance. It goes by quickly.

 

Also, remember to change your oil and filter after the first 1,000 miles.

 

I dunno...when I went to test drive my max (and unfortunately the one I eventually bought), the salesman beat the living crap out of it. I've rarely abused it as he did in the 15mins we were out in it...with 32miles on the odo. 18.5k later, no problems. You know those **** salespeople beat the crap out of the fun cars....and even not so fun...I don't know where they came up with the break in rule, but I'll keep you all posted as the miles add up.
Oh, I also took a 2 hour trip on the highway with only 300miles on my car. Guess I'm really testing the integ of my car.

 

Why the oil and filter change after only 1k?

 

By the way, is the whiney/high pitched noise when I accelerate normal? And the occasional "bubbly" noise I hear when I turn hard/sudden turn, is that normal for a new Maxi?

 

All of the new gunk in the engine that burns off will be in the oil and it is not good to have it circulating throughout your engine for a long period. I have 250 miles on my 03 and it is hard to keep the rpm's down the car begs to be ran, i have have been challenged by several cars already in the Max and the 350 wifes (400 miles), but just let them burn the rubber.

 

There is another theory to break in an engine using heat cycles. Some bigtime motorheads (drag racers) believe in this.

 

Just don't redline it yet.
I have the same whiney/high pitched noise when I accelerate. Called dealer, he said it's normal on some cars. Why some???

 

Heh, I had a thousand mile trip from where I picked up my Max', (with 6 miles on it) to home. It was painful to drive so slowly, and cautiously for that long

 

about the oil changing things...

i belive the manufacturer knows the MOST about this vehicle and they would tell you what is correct. The manual says 3750, they could easily say 1000 and make 4 times the money...but they dont..

 

Also consider that they set the interval so that Consumer Reports says, "maintenance needed only every 3750 miles". Nowadays oil is so good, you could go well beyond that interval if its hwy miles. But its added insurance to change oil at 1,000 miles or less to get those microscopic shavings out IMO

 

I changed mine at 1500.. I wasnt really sure about the early oil change but I thought, well... I dont really know what kind of oil they used and I dont want to run cheap stuff that long (its not breakin oil, just regular dino stuff). And there is a real need to change the filter if there was anything floating around in there. No reason to change the filter without doing the oil since youre already there.


I would say the early change is alot like the breakin procedure, not a must, but *may* help alittle in the long run... the very long run.