NEW VEHICLE BREAK-IN PERIOD

OK, what's the real deal with this thing? I read in the owner manual about this 1000 mile nothing over 55-60mph or 4000 rpm break-in period. I talked with the sales guys and the managers and the parts guys and my mechanic, and I'm getting varied responses. It's my understanding that SUPPOSEDLY this could cause a drop in the longevity and economy (i.e. MPG) of the vehicle, but I find it hard to believe. It's not a BIG hassle if I have to do this, I mean heck, already put the first 250 miles on it getting the car from Portland to Seattle, but I was doing 70-80 most of the way up here.

IS THIS REALLY A BIG DEAL???

 

I baught my car in southcarolina and drove to north carolina. was going about 80 pritty much all the way. 300miles in the first night.. don't stomp the car too much.. I think U can drive fast but not fast take off and things like that.. U can gradually pickup speed but don't floor the car.. don't wanna drop a valve or screwup the cam shaft just yet. be easy and change your factory oil after the breakin.. Me and Most of the folks on the Forum Use synthetic oil in the car. U might wanna become part of the group. Goodluck with the car. hope this helps.

 

Nissan is still one of the few cars that have such a long breakin period. Actually, it takes 3000-5000 miles for the car to settle in. Thats the reality of a 200K+ engine. There are some little quirks that work their way out. Know that you dont have breakin oil tho.

You will get varied answers on the breakin... if it was really a *big* deal than most test drives would be the end of these cars. Salespeople and people test drive rag them hard without any problem. However, I usually insist in getting mine off the truck for that reason. However, I've never really heard of any problems from that.

As for the 80mph thing... its not just the engine. Its seating the bearing in the drivetrain. Mostly the issue is heat. You dont want to sustain levels of speed that will build up heat before all the bearings get a chance to settle in. However, I also heard that you want to at least go up to those speeds that you would normally drive the car during breakin. I was told by someone who works with aircraft engines that you do want to spend some time in the operating range that you normally would during breakin. Not good to drive for long periods at 80, or the entire time, but if thats your normal speed than it might even do you some good having driven all those miles at 80.

I wouldnt use the cruise control for trips until 1000 miles. Vary the speed.

Keep in mind that most people dont even concern themselves with this and they have 200K maximas. You are just doing preventive care, like changing oil at 3000 instead of 7500 as it says in the manual.

 

I just heard that u have to drive at a constant speed nothing to sudden . like NO peels No fast acceleration

 

You *almost* got it right.

No hard acceleration, no redlining it... and do NOT keep it at a constant speed. Doing so can potentially cause a valve to not seat properly, which is a very bad thing.

However this is all very, very unlikely. Just baby the car and don't worry about it. It's true though, the 1k break-in on my dad's TL was torture...

 

Definitely I will not be hard on my new Maxima. These cars, with care will last a long, long time. I just wrecked my beloved 1989 Maxima that had 228,000 miles on the odometer (was also broken for a year before I fixed it), the morning of August 18th. I bought my 2000 Maxima that evening. The car was indestructible mechanically, and I never had a problem with it; never left me stranded; and Im sure it could have easily gone on for another 228K if I had not destroyed the front end of it. I also rarely raced it, did all the maintenance on schedule, and left it stock. If I had to drive cross country, I would have not hesitated to take the '89. I don't consider the Maxima a race car, but instead, a refined, comfortable ride that has power when needed. take care of it, and it will take care of you.

(Side note-granted I am guilty of the occasional quick run to see just how fast I can go. All work and no play makes SaVas a dull guy)

 

Congrats on the new buy! How do you like it so far? Nice isn't it?

 

Break in period usually involves just not running the engine at a single speed for too long. So, while driving 80MPH for 300 miles will not ruin the break in, running it at 3000 RPM for four hours will. I've always suggested people during the break in period to vary engine speeds on the highway. For sticks, that easy. For autos, just switch OD on and off every so often.

For new cars, break-in isn't as big a deal as with older cars. In fact, most new cars don't have breakin periods anymore. If you think about it, testdriving would ruin break-in so I would say go easy for the first 500 then drive normally.

 

Thank you all for the excellent, no-nonsense advice. I just cleared 300 miles last night (my daily commute is 25 miles one way and my sweetie lives in Portland -- 220 miles one way), so making it to 1000 should take a couple of weeks at most. THEN I can take it down to Seattle International Raceway and find out at what speed the governor chip kicks in!

 

THEN I can take it down to Seattle International Raceway and find out at what speed the governor chip kicks in!
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AAAAAA... Don't do that just yet friend.. Trust me it kicks in at 143.. I had mine at 143 at 5800RPM.. Trust me. the picture is a bit fuzzzy so I didn't post it but don't do a speed test just yet.. I got 17K miles on my car so its well broken into..

 

Hmmmm.... Good point. Just jazzed about the new ride is all. Thanks for the advice.

 

Man, you guys have so much restraint!! I've tried to take it easy on the Maxima because it already has good power, plus it's an auto (which doesn't inspire hard driving in me) but I've shown my Altima no mercy. I bounced off the rev limiter for the first time at only 125 miles on the clock and have hit it almost every day since then (only up to 1600 miles now). It's just so easy to rev that I'm practically redlining it without meaning to (my license plates say "REV2RED" ). My Alty will be a relatively low-mileage car, plus it's a lease so I'll give it back before the warranty is up anyway, but I know that doesn't excuse me much...

 

I've shown my Altima no mercy. I bounced off the rev limiter for the first time at only 125 miles on the clock and have hit it almost every day since then (only up to 1600 miles now[/I][/QUOTE]
Man U got a big heart.. 1600miles and already all that torture hahahaha.. I don't know whats worse.. going backwords in a rental 2K Maxima and throw it in drive and floor it or redlineing it with 1600miles. and NO I DIDN'T DO THAT TO A RENTAL MAXIMA, AND SOMEONE TOLD THAT STORY.. I'ld be afread to do that to any rental car. damn break something and U know it was no accident. Friend of mine rented a camry and was hot ******* the car with his friends.. went in a turn pulled the handbreak and the damn rear axle broke... EXPLAIN That to the Rental company.. $4500 damage, insurance paid for that..

 

I'll make sure it's nice and *broken* anyway. muhahahah.

 

Drove mine for the first 500miles nice and easy (no speeds past 70mph).

The main reason for high speeds is clutch. New clutches don't like high speeds. The higher speeds is mainly for the transmission. Want the tranny to live longer...drive it nice and easy the first 500-1000miles.

Now, the engine on the other hand is a different story.