my bro in law just got a new 04 maxima SL, he want to know how he should break it in. what mphs shouldnt he go over, and at watch milage should he start using the tip. and what small modds are ok to do, (ie bulbs, and what not)

 

You will get a rainbow of responses on this question. Everyone has their own 'system' of breaking in cars.

Some folks peel rubber driving the car off the dealer's lot, and never let up. Others take it easy the first few thousand miles.

I usually hold my speed down to around 65MPH the first hundred miles or so, then 70MPH for a hundred or so, and so on. This is for letting the tires seated solidly on the wheels and getting the sidewalls and tread flexed in.

As for the rest of the car, I don't think speed has much effect. What IS very important, in my opinion, is the RPMs. I try to stay WELL away from the redline the first thousand or so miles. This helps the pistons and other engine parts to adjust/seat themselves before maximum stress is applied.

There are many (including some professional car testers) who say it is good to vary your speed the first thousand miles or so; i.e., don't take a new car on the freeway and do exactly 60MHP for mile after mile. I can see why this could effect certain parts of the engine, but was probably more important in the engines of twenty or thirty years ago than today.

As for modifications, others here have more experience with that. In general, mods only affect the warranty of the area you are modifying. If the new parts are NISMO (and maybe one or two other brands), then even the modifications are covered under warranty.

 

Another rainbow report.

I agree with lightonthehill, the rpm`s are the thing. I kept mine below 4000 till I put 2000miles on it. I then changed the oil and filter and still didn`t drive above 4500rpm for another 2000miles.

I change the oil frequently( every 3000miles I use Castrol 5W30 and OEM filter).

Avoid hard breaking and stops for at least first 1000miles.

Avoid jack rabbit starts and race car like cornering for the same period.

It works for me..............

 

First off, your owner's manual makes some suggestions on how to break your car's engine in for the first 1200 miles, if I remember correctly...

I do support lightonthehill's response, but does it really matter about the steady speed? Only reason I ask is because when I bought my car, I had to travel 2 hours to Phoenix to pick up the color/options that I wanted. So, unfortunately, my brand new MAX's maiden voyage was a 2 hour trip back to Tucson doing about 80 - 85 mph (constant speed). I have over 4000 miles on it now and haven't noticed any negative effects from the trip (runs really well)... Comments?

Also, anyone have any recommendations on oil brands? I drained the factory oil out of my car @ about 1800 miles and replaced it w/ Mobile 1 (synthetic). I'm a firm believer in this product, especially since I'm in over 100 degree weather during the summer months here in AZ. When I told my dealer that I did this, he suggested NOT to put synthetic into the car until maybe about 20 - 30K miles...??? He explained that this allows the engine to seat/season itself, then you put the good stuff in after that point... Opinions? Please share...