I got a new Maxima Anniversary Edition and was curious first of all...if I decide to break it in, how long do I have to put around in it? and two, what difference will I feel if I do and dont break it in?? I am in need of some good opinion cuz I dont want to screw anything up...Thanks everyone once again!

 

welcome!
first 1000 miles, drives at different speed for proper break in...dun rev over 4000rpm or drive above 60 mph.

I dunno wat happened if u mess around within this 1000 miles 'cause I never tried it.

 

I was told by a guy at the Nissan dealership that the engine is not really broken in until 10,000km or so. I followed your rules above until I hit 1200km (745 miles) then I started getting a little more aggressive with it. The same guy also said I can change the oil every 6000km. He scoffed at me wanting to do an initial oil change at 1000km. I currently have a few performance concerns with my car. I wonder if I pushed it too hard before break-in period was over.

 

weird...the dealer i got my max at provides a free oil change at 1600km (1000 miles)

but basically i've been following what everyone else has said about the break-in period

 

Man, having a bad **** car like this and having to putt around in it for 1200 miles is the worst challenge of my life!

 

tell me about it! first day i got the maxima some civic LX sedan was reving on me at a stoplight and inching up before the light turned green...i was like "ahhh, why now?!"

i let him go, but not before saying "i'll get you next time Gadget, next time!"

 

The hardest thing is watching the odometer as you get closer and closer and closer to 1000 miles, cause you wanna go faster and faster and faster...

Many prior posts have discussed the wisdom of restraint till the dealer-mandated 1000 miles is up, saying "it's just better", but the thinking is that the dealer (or factory) probably knows their product better than we do when we first buy it. I feel that it makes the most sense to follow their lead...considering how many dollars I've invested in my new ride.

 

mfg's dont use break-in oil anymore.. an early oil change is purely preventitive, it wont have any direct effect other than peace of mind (in the one and a million chance the oil got contaminated in shipping).

also, your engine is broken in at 1000, however the nissan engine tends to get stronger and smoother up to 10K. I think most VQ's are happy at 6K.

after the 1000, be sure to get into the higher rpms, its actually good for the engine (in moderation).


and finally... the 60mph and 1000 miles is also for the bearings in the drivetrain to seat properly, not just the engine.

 

Tell me about it. I must be ruining my engine. I am up to 645 miles on my AE. I drive at varying speeds, but I'm sorry I'm not going to be doing 60mph on I-10 where the limit is 70mph( =80mph). I love to see objects getting smaller in my rear view. It is such a rush! I try not to floor it but this is really hard not to punch it. Oh well...it's under warranty.

 

What would you think would happen.. if u were to have a 01 SE 5spd... bout 150 so miles, going 100 on the high way at 4000 rpm for about 5 seconds? .. im scared now

 

shouldnt be a big problem if u dont do it a lot. once in a while, dont worry about it.

 

I know some (very educated) people who believe that short runs into high rpm is actually good and leads to a more freely revving engine. I really dont know. I would certainly make all attempts to adhere to the nissan mandated duration, be good to the car, it will be good to you later..

However, with that said, tons of cars are beaten horribly by salespeople on test drives.. I mean brutal driving on a usually cold engine with < 100 miles on them. I've been on test drives that would make you cringe. And those are the test drives where the salesperson rides... imagine what happens with no salesperson in the car... YET you hear of no failures or reduced engine life..

I totally berated one Nissan sales guy for redlining a car with 12 miles on it. When we got back and the manager walked over he asked "so, we selling you that car?" I said "THAT car?, ummm no way in hell. they have this thing called break-in period and your salesman just beat the hell out of that car. I'll only take one off the truck if thats how you treat cars here." they only seemed interested in getting another smoke break. Needless to say I went elsewhere.

 

A friend of mine that works at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY said that you should break the car in the same way you're going to drive it. If you're going to drive it hard, drive it hard from the start. Of course were talking about Vettes. I'll stick with what the owners manual says.