acura1972

hi guys, now that ive decided to get an rdx... and after reading your posts and some differing opinions, i was wondering what to do with the break in period? here's my specific question and the answers ive read so far -- please correct me if im wrong:

a) no hard acceleration and no high reving of engines (at start)... in short no redlining for at least 1000kms (600mils) - is this correct?

b) make sure you vary the rpm while travelling on freeways? does this mean 2000rpm to 3000rpm? is that enough "variation"?

c) is there any particular idling before turning the engine off to allow the turbo mechanism to "cool"? if so, how many seconds do i let the engine idle before shutting it off? eg. 10 seconds? 20 seconds?

any other things i need to know so that i dont unnecessarily cause undue wear once i get the car from the dealership this or next week?

many thanks guys! looking forward to enjoying this car!

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

a) This is correct, but I don't know how many miles Acura recommends for the break-in period. Your owner's manual will give you the definitive answer. I don't think this has any direct relation to the fact that the RDX is turbocharged. It's just the manufacturer's standard protocol for new engine break-in.

b) I think you are on the right track. Putting the car in "cruise" is a no-no during break in. You could probably go all the way up to 4k rpm no problem, therefore giving greater variance, which is better for the engine during break-in. However, engaging VTEC is not recommended.

c) I don't know about this specifically, but it's a "general" rule of thumb to idle the car for 1 minute before you shut the ignition off to ensure longer turbo life. Or, you can go the route of installing a turbo-timer to run the fan automatically for you even after you shut the car off.

As far as anything extra, I believe the owner's manual might state something about warming up the car for a few seconds before driving off. I know for sure that it's < 1 minute, but again, your owner's manual will give you the definitive answer.

BTW, congrats on the new purchase, and I hope this helps!

acura1972

thank you princelybug... just a follow up question on the vtec -- how do i ensure that vtec is not engaged? is this something that automatically engages or is there a switch? -- newbie here so hope you can help... many thanks

cwepruk

Drive it reasonably hard, vary the rpm's, done.

The turbo is water cooled so as long as you don't get on it hard for 30-60 seconds before turning the car off, it's fine.

acura1972

thanks cwepruk -- just a follow up question similar to princelybug -- i am a bit confused by driving it "hard"? hard = >4000rpm? and i read that vtec is engaged >5500rpm? so either way, princelybug and your recommendation of <=4000 rpm should be good? many thanks!

cwepruk

Building cylinder pressure is a good thing for break in. I avoid redline (6800), wide open shifts, idling and that's about it. I vary the rpm's, go shorter bursts of wide open once in a while (let off around 5000-5500), etc.

FYI, you will never get an answer on break in most agree upon. Race guys/engine builders drive it like they stole it from day one. Some people baby it for 1000 miles.

This article gets posted a lot on the web.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I've read most manufacturers run a few tests on each car before it ships and that likely does some of the break in for you.

acura1972

ack! newbie here... what is a wide open shift? anyway many thanks for the reply... ill keep it "safe" with varying rpm's and not exceeding 5000 then... (i presume let off 5000-5500 rpm is exactly that? eg. let off = let off the accelerator)...

thanks for the link too! yahoo! ready to enjoy my new car in the next week or two...

cwepruk

Wide open shift would just be planting the throttle and going through the gears shifting at redline.

acura1972

oh haha, thanks cewpruk, i dont think ive ever done "wide open shifts"... might be fun but will not try it yet ...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

^
Regarding VTEC, the engine engages VTEC at a certain RPM, so as long as you don't rev too high, you'll be fine. Sorry, I don't know when the VTEC engagement point is for the RDX.

acura1972

thanks princelybug... ill play it safe and level off at 4-5k rpm during break in...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

I'd say 4k, tops. 5k might be a bit high.

cwepruk

The pistons aren't egg shells. Read the article.

Ever talk to a performance engine builder on how to break in an engine? They'll tell you to drive it hard right off the bat.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

^
That's not the sentiment for all "engine builders" or experts.

People will argue for either side. It's up to each individual to do their own research and decide for themselves.

acura1972

ack! after reading a few more posts, i didnt realize that one cannot drive on long distances during the break in period? i got my new rdx fm the dealer today... what i promptly did was probably not that great --- drove 350 kms to niagara falls and back to toronto... i did try to vary the rpms from 2000 to 4000... at some points i even reached 4500 as i need to pass... little did i realize that city driving is probably preferred for the first 1000kms?? have a just ruined my engine's longetivity signficantly? [i didnt race the engine, i tried to vary the rpms but on highways, that mean 80kms/hr to 110-120 kms to get my 2000 - 4000 rpm downshift/upsift in AT transmission]... any corrections i can do? my kms is now up to 385kms...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

^
Again, short stop/go commutes aren't good for engines. Longer, uninterrupted trips are best. You did fine by varying the RPM's.

acura1972

thanks princelybug... i didnt realize that short trips was actually not preferred?

i was a bit confused since you did say that "Putting the car in "cruise" is a no-no during break in. You could probably go all the way up to 4k rpm no problem, therefore giving greater variance, which is better for the engine during break-in. However, engaging VTEC is not recommended." --- the only way i could put it in "cruise" is probably in the highway... but i didnt coz i didnt know how to use it yet haha...

uninterrupted trips are best? i hear ya but i think you had mentioned to vary the rpm? it was a bit tough to vary rpm's in automatic transmission in the highway, but i tried varying it from 80kms to 120kms back to 90kms up to 105kms etc... all within 2000-4000rpm range... it actually exceeded it to 4500 rpms once but i had no choice, had to pass lest i miss an exit by not overtaking another car...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

^
You're doing just fine, brother. Varying RPM = varying speed.

gungho_15

I have read this post a few times and have been disturbed by some of the info that has been past a long. You need to speak to your service department or read your owners manual. It clearly states on pg356 the break in procedure.

Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:
● Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
● Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).
● Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
● Do not tow a trailer.

You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced.

This info is straight out of the manual and I also asked this very important question when I purchased the vehicle. We drive one of the best motors in the industry as far as I am concerned. HONDA motors have always been known to be bullet proof. If you have any doubt, follow your manual or talk to your dealer!

acura1972

thanks gung_ho... i managed to read the manual after i went home and that is what i exactly read... so am a bit confused... nowhere in the manual does it say one has to drive it like a madman but nowhere does it say that one has to vary your rpm either... nowhere does it say that you cannot drive for long drives... am a bit confused still to be honest... what does your dealer tell you? my dealer only told me to drive it like how i drive a normally... i didnt baby the car (how could i in the highway)... the dealer even asked me if i was going to niagara after, and i said maybe... no one stopped me from doing so, so i did... was this wrong?

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

You're fine.

acura1972

ok thanks princelybug and gung_ho... coz essentially i did what a sane person would do... and i didnt do anything that the manual said i shouldnt be doing. i know the car will be fine, a car is a car... still, it's not a good feeling if one screws up just bec there are better ways of doing things... (which neither my manual nor my dealership asked me to do or not to do -- except for not going over 110km/h)...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

IMO, you did the "better" way of doing things. I wouldn't break-in any of my cars any differently.

Heck, the MAJORITY of people never break-in their cars properly?

cwepruk

Yeah, most people just get in and drive. I doubt there would be any issue with engine longevity. Most well maintained engines seemingly last forever anyways unless there is some sort of design issue. I've never had an engine wear out just because of mileage.

Most engines are likely broken in at the factory anyways.