When asked if purchasing a used 2000, everyone said buy new because it may not have been "Broken in" properly. Can someone explain this process and what can happen if a car is broken in unproperly. Also can someone tell me how often to wash/wax a new car? everyone tells me waxing to often can strip the paint, Any info would be greatly appreciated, I want to treat this car like my new baby.
~~Nine7Max

 

that with buying any used car, not just a Max. Just one of the chances you take I guess. If it was a loaner or a rental or demo, it may have been beat on.

then again maybe not....

 

Well, after always factory ordering cars I bought a 2K SE with about 150 miles on it. Prolly been goosed a few times and I myself have met the rev limiter with under 1000 miles on the motor. I have heard good and bad. I certainly think its good to break it in properly, but perhaps some of this keeping it under 400 rpm is overkill. I have heard everything from keep it under 4000, to run it everywhere in the rpm range for brief periods, to whatever else you can dream up. Unless you are going to supercharge the car (good for you) or God forbid you are going to keep it beyond the warranty, I say get out there and run amok with it. Isn't that why you bought it?

 

I try to wax the car at least once a month. If you use a good quality wax that is only a wax (no cleaner/wax combo) it should do no harm. I have found Meguiars #26 hi-tech yellow wax to be really good. It lasts about two months and is non-abrasive and contains no cleaners. Zaino's is another popular brand, but is only mail order. Both will give you good results.

 

manufacturers to stress such importance on break-in. I think their reliablity record for engines speaks for the fact that it cant matter *that* much. You dont hear of engines dying that often and you know that many people totally ignore breakin recommendations. I'm one to try to follow them pretty closely, but its prolly still a 200K+ car regardless.

 

so many miles approximately for a break in period?

 

About 1000 miles.....

 

K.. in my dealer's words EXACTLY "Take it easy, and drive the speed limit for the first 1,000 miles.."..

According to the Nissan Manual, you also shouldn't tow ANYTHING for the first 500 miles..


Thing is, that the pieces on a new engine are built to precise tolerances. When everything is new, you could think of it as a "tighter fit", and running your engine too fast could cause damage. 4,000 RPM actually seems a realistic limit, because you will never reach that just cruising at the speed limit, or accelerating under normal conditions (ie. without spinning/smoking tires, on a flat road, etc.) After 1,000 miles, I would gradually start to increase the scope of your driving style..

Past the break in period, the converse is also true.. (Quick story : my friend bought a used car from an old man.. Within a month, he ended up blowing the engine, cuz he drove it like he stole it.. The mechanic said, that because the engine had never been pushed by the old man, the sudden change in driving style killed it)

Moral of the story : Somewhere in the middle is good... and GRADUAL is key..!!! Take your time breaking in the car, especially if you intend to keep it for a while!!!