So I just got my TSX.. I was reading the manual and it says... I shouldn't redline or over accelerate it... but the sales guy said I don't need to break it in. So I'm confused... should I drive it gently for X amount of miles? Or just drive it like I normally drive?

 

Well, lets just put it this way: honda engineers>sales guy.

Just follow the manual and your MID and you will be OK. The break-in is 600 miles according to the manual but some wait until 1000miles before they really start letting loose. Don't drive at constant RPMs, no redlining, etc.

 

 

There's two main philosophies...baby the car versus drive it hard. Your salesman is a believer in the latter philosophy.

Personally I believe in the former. The engineers designed the car, so they know what needs to be done.

 

When I first bought my TSX, I had the same question. So I called my uncle, he is a senior engineer for FORD motors and this is how he explained this matter:
Cylinders and piston rings work in conjunction. However cylinder walls are not a 100% fit to the piston rings.
So for the piston rings to seat properly with the cylinder walls you must expand the piston rings.
In order to expand the piston rings you must push the engine into higher RPMs ( I am not saying redline it) The higher RPM will heat up the cylinder, and the heat will cause a higher pressure inside the cylinder, thus the high pressure will cause the piston rings to expand.
Another thing; short drives are a killer during break-in period cause you need to allow the engine to heat up so the rings could expand properly.
Bottom line drive your car under variable RPMs (high and low) and try not to redline it. my

 

Here is a very good thread addressing engine break-in: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...light=break-in

 

Your sales guy was an idiot. Listen to what it says in the manual.

You do want to run the car through different RPM ranges, but I wouldn't rev past 5500. One thing to avoid is cruise control, it will hold you at one speed and within a very small RPM range for extended periods of time.

I believe Acura says 600 miles for the break in period, as some one else mentioned, you may want to put 1000 on it before you really open her up.

Patience is a virtue

 

Having been a car sales guy (however brief), you really need to apply some judgement to whatever they say, and certainly double check and get other opinions like you are now. A lot of sales people just repeat what they've been told - and you never know what or who the source is. I'd be very cautious of any sales person giving contradictory advice to what is in the manual. Trust how Honda says you should break the car in, not a sales person.

 

Yup, that one is the best explanation for seating the rings. I've heard from some that the engine is mostly broken in at the factory, but why take a chance with such a sweet four cylinder?

The short&sweet of the linked post is warm up the engine, give it short bursts (2-4 seconds) of full throttle (tranny in high gear at low speeds) at progressively higher RPM's as you move through the break in period. Allow the engine to cool down for a good amount of time after each one. The only hard part about this method is waiting to get to Vtec until near the end of the break in period.