700+ mile cross-country engine break-in

[CO_h2o]

Any advice on how to properly break-in a brand new engine if you were driving it? I may be buying a 2012 here soon and driving it across a couple of states to get it home. Estimated trip will be about 700+ miles. I was thinking of just varying speed as much as possible without posing a traffic hazard and keeping revs somewhat moderate.

Thoughts?

[08Canyon]

You're on the right track. Driving on cruise control isn't recommended. The rings need to seat in and such. I don't know, maybe that is still old school talk and today's engines are broke in before installation.

Keep an eye on the gauges to make sure it doesn't get hot on ya too. I don't know if it's necessary to stop and let it cool off or not. I doubt it. I mean so it can experience a heat/cool cycle.

Make sure to look over the vehicle before you head out. Tire pressure, etc. Don't romp on it too often, like racing on the highway on ramps.

[davn]

Are you doing the whole route in one shot? Meaning stopping only for gas and food etc.? In any event, as stated, watch gauges and I would stop every 100 miles or so and check fluid levels. Vary the cruise speed but dont use the cruise control. Keep RPM well below redline ( you should have no reason to go above 4000 rpm). In essence drive like an old man...
That being said, modern engines really dont need "breakin" periods to the degree they once did due to advances in machining etc. Enjoy the trip and the truck!

[Tweek]

Lucky dog !! Have a great trip !!

[CO_h2o]

As posted in another thread, I was a little disappointed with the initial MPG, as I'm pretty careful about stressing motors, but hopeful it was break-in related. Having a manual transmission helped in varying RPM and the engine did seem to feel stronger after the first 300 miles. I took a brief two hour rest, then back on the road for another 400+ miles. I think I was effective at keeping revs below 4K RPM. Maybe once or twice I may have gone over due to passing on two-lane hwy, but probably less than 0.5% full throttle operation. Enough story telling.

After reviewing some of the given 2012 owner's manual, my trip wasn't probably the best for the motor, but it does give the impression along the lines of what you guys said:

New Vehicle Break-In - Notice: The vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
* Keep the vehicle speed at 55 MPH or less for the first 500 miles (Oops! More like 65 MPH )
* Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the first 500 miles. (50/50 good/bad). Do not make full-throttle starts (no worries there ). Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle (check! )

I'll keep tabs and update this thread as time goes by. I did increase tire pressures from the original 35 PSI to 39. Tire max says 44 PSI and I have a tire gauge I can test to be certain it doesn't go over. The tires just looked so flat at 35 PSI. Wish the GY tires stated whether 44 was max cold or hot.

[CO_h2o]

The first stretch was run in the evening with cooling temperatures and rain showers. The second have was completed from 3AM - 10AM with even colder outside temps, 35* - 50*.

Still trying to find where it says when I should change the oil after break-in.

[DBNissan]

Dealership tech told me it was fine to run the original oil till 3000 miles due to the advancements in the metallurgy and oil filtration materials. i ran mine till 1000 miles the changed oil and filter. Then did another change at 5000 miles and switched to synthetic.

[08Canyon]

I don't see anything wrong with the way you drove your truck home on the trip. Sounds perfectly fine.

My first new truck in the early 90's, I changed oil at 500, 1500, then I think I went with 3000 intervals after that. I switched to synthetic at 12,000 miles for the next 180,000k. I wouldn't changed immediately now though, knowing what I know as well as advancements in metals and oil chemistry. Also, a friend bought a new honda a few yeas ago, the dealer said they won't change oil until 5000 due to additives installed at assembly.

[CO_h2o]

Thanks. I like both your thoughts on oil changes and will follow that. Sounds like proven formulas.

[DBNissan]

I've been running Mobil 1 since the 5000 mile mark. At 10k I changed the oil and filter. At 15k I changed the filter and just topped off with fresh Mobil 1. At 20k, I did a full oil/filter change with fresh Mobil 1. So, my oil/filter change interval has been a full oil change every 10k and a filter change every 5k. The change oil indicator has never come on in the 10k mile intervals. I let it run without resetting it and it came on after 14k miles. My truck now has 177k miles :D