Is it ok to drive the car hard from the beginning?
08-19-2004, 11:03 PM
#1
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Is it ok to drive the car hard from the beginning?
I've took my TSX to redline couple of times before 600 miles, i did baby it most of the time though. I heard that driving it hard helps the engine break in a little better but i have a small doubt about it.
08-20-2004, 12:33 AM
#3
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well when we got the car we didn't take it into VTEC at all during break-in (hell, my dad still never does). People tell me it is best to use all ranges, of course not pounding away at VTEC, but getting up there once in a while during the break in. Don't take it from me, take it from a GM senior saftey engineer. Just be careful doing it.
if all else fails.
08-20-2004, 02:25 AM
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I know I tried my hardest not to during that time period, but you just can't help it sometimes. Driving it in various rpm ranges in various gears is all i've been doing and it seems fine. On the other hand, when I got my RSX-S in 02, I had about 175 miles on the car and I was hittin vtec all the time!! For some reason after about 10000 miles the car was just fine and very fast. It was also noticed that my neighbors RSX-S was slower every time I drove it w/same mileage and he babied it the whole time when he first got it. Don't know if what I did to mine will help it in the long haul though!!! :smitty:
08-20-2004, 03:20 AM
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Originally Posted by TSXEuphoria
Common! Relax! It's Honda!!
Maybe redlining it in such early stages is pushing it far, though. I know I was somewhat careful not to overrev it in it's first 5000 miles, but afterwards, wooohooo!
And the engine has been giving me good power ever since.
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08-20-2004, 04:06 AM
#8
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Originally Posted by sauceman
Maybe redlining it in such early stages is pushing it far, though. I know I was somewhat careful not to overrev it in it's first 5000 miles, but afterwards, wooohooo!And the engine has been giving me good power ever since.
08-20-2004, 04:08 AM
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Originally Posted by NightHawkMetal
I just couldn't help it!! It was like an addiction!! I've taken it slow(er) with my TSX this time around though. Up to 1400 miles now.
08-20-2004, 05:44 AM
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I Always(it seems) run the car in the redline... =o) gotta keep that vtec channel clean... hehe... I did kinda baby it for the first 500miles, though. All cars will react differently depending on who is driving it since the ECU tends to remember how people drive, and adjusts accordingly.
08-20-2004, 08:32 AM
#15
Photography Nerd
From the FAQ:
Originally Posted by FAQ
What is the break-in period of my Acura?
Help assure your vehicle's future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 600 miles (1,000 kilometers). During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration.
Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken in by moderate use for the first 200 miles (300 km).
Help assure your vehicle's future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 600 miles (1,000 kilometers). During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration.
Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken in by moderate use for the first 200 miles (300 km).
08-20-2004, 08:51 AM
#17
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My uncle has always broken in his cars by driving them hard. He always said "Break them in the way you plan on driving them" All his cars have lasted well into the 100,000 mile range without any problems.
08-20-2004, 09:25 AM
#18
Punk Rocker
As I've said on previous threads: "When in doubt, err on the side of the manufacturer." I didn't take my car above 4000 rpm for the first 1000 miles (although mine's an automatic which kinda saps the fun out of redlining anyway). I doubt it does any real damage redlining a couple of times during break-in but I still would rather take it easy and be sure. You should definitely take the brake's break-in seriously though (unless you want warped rotors at 15000 miles).
08-20-2004, 09:42 AM
#19
Engineer
drive it like you stole it....
haha yeah right, baby it til at least 600 miles, after that slowly let it stretch it legs if you want, i mean is it a big deal waiting a 1000 miles? yeah its drivin me insane but it just makes that surprise at 1000 miles that much nicer....
currently I am at 230 miles or so...
haha yeah right, baby it til at least 600 miles, after that slowly let it stretch it legs if you want, i mean is it a big deal waiting a 1000 miles? yeah its drivin me insane but it just makes that surprise at 1000 miles that much nicer....
currently I am at 230 miles or so...
08-20-2004, 09:44 AM
#20
Engineer
Originally Posted by blackjackman
people like you are the reason I will not buy a used car if I can help it.
08-20-2004, 09:55 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by OTT-TSX
My uncle has always broken in his cars by driving them hard. He always said "Break them in the way you plan on driving them" All his cars have lasted well into the 100,000 mile range without any problems.
I will listen to the engineers not some folksy wisdom.
08-20-2004, 11:15 AM
#22
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Related question: I have never had a new car before, and I haven't purchased a new TSX... yet. So what about all the people who test drive cars that are on the lot and push them to the limit? What if you end up with one of those? I was just thinking about that because I put it through the paces on the test drive.
08-20-2004, 11:28 AM
#25
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by Dan Martin
From the FAQ:
There have also been at least a dozen threads on break-in.
I kept it under 4000rpm for the first 100 km's and then under 6000rpm for the next 1000km (minus 1 trip to vtec .. just to make sure everything was ok
).
08-20-2004, 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by joerockt
Hell, I redlined mine leaving the dealer 
What do I care? I drive 5 miles to work, and I only plan on keeping it 4-5 years at the most.
What do I care? I drive 5 miles to work, and I only plan on keeping it 4-5 years at the most.
08-20-2004, 12:37 PM
#27
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Yup, buyer beware. People like me are the reason why I wouldnt buy a used car either.
BUT, I DO keep my car clean and shiney at all times if possible. Which is what most people look for anyway when they buy a used car. I've successfuly sold my truck just a few months ago for exactly what I wanted.
BUT, I DO keep my car clean and shiney at all times if possible. Which is what most people look for anyway when they buy a used car. I've successfuly sold my truck just a few months ago for exactly what I wanted.
08-20-2004, 04:33 PM
#29
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Originally Posted by Dan Martin
They sell those cars as demo units. I would avoid them for exactly that reason.
Is that a Canada thing? Out here, you go out to the lot, point at one, and drive it. If you buy it, then cool, but if you drive the hell out of it, like I do to test performance, then you go back and select another one, and test drive it as well, but nice and easy. The car you just got done beating up goes to the next joe at the same price.
08-20-2004, 04:54 PM
#30
Photography Nerd
Never seen that here. Most of the cars on the lot arel pre-PDI cars and they won't let you go anywhere near them. They usually only have one or two of each model that they use for test drives.
08-20-2004, 04:56 PM
#31
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that's fecked up....what about the milage ? I ain't taking anything over 5 miles. In fact I would only point one & take one that still has all kind of factory saran wrap
08-20-2004, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by OTT-TSX
My uncle has always broken in his cars by driving them hard. He always said "Break them in the way you plan on driving them" All his cars have lasted well into the 100,000 mile range without any problems.
I feel bad for you aunt!
08-20-2004, 08:07 PM
#33
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Originally Posted by joerockt
Hell, I redlined mine leaving the dealer What do I care? I drive 5 miles to work, and I only plan on keeping it 4-5 years at the most.
What do I care? I drive 5 miles to work, and I only plan on keeping it 4-5 years at the most.
08-20-2004, 09:20 PM
#34
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Originally Posted by soopirV900
y'ever think of riding a BIKE? I used to bike to work every day (for two years) in syracuse, NY YEAR ROUND! Round Trip was 19.4 miles. Biking would certainly help with your dog-faced complexion (you appear to be some sort of bulldog, if I'm not mistaken).
Its a PUG you moron...
08-20-2004, 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by joerockt
You ever think of eating a big, fat dick? Im sure you have...Did I ask for opinions about the mode of transportation I use to get to back and fourth to work? Even if I lived one mile from work, I will still drive my TSX, redlining at every stop, wasting as much gas as possible just to piss you off...
Its a PUG you moron...
Its a PUG you moron...
Sorry, that's funny!
08-21-2004, 01:48 AM
#37
Burning Brakes
i dont know if it's been discussed, but from what i've heard from mechanics is that the reason for the break is is that the piston and piston rings need to conform to the motor. If you drive it hard, the piston and rings will expand too much where it will scratch the cylinder walls due to excessively high heat. (heat makes thing expand) so if you drive the car like a granny, then the piston and rings will expand to a medium to where it expands enough to keep the oil from leaking into the combustion chambers and not expand enough to scratch the cylinder walls. I COULD BE WRONG! Think of this way .. do you warm up your car before you drive it? and if you do, does it tend to last longer?
08-21-2004, 02:01 AM
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Originally Posted by joerockt
Hell, I redlined mine leaving the dealer What do I care? I drive 5 miles to work, and I only plan on keeping it 4-5 years at the most.
What do I care? I drive 5 miles to work, and I only plan on keeping it 4-5 years at the most.
08-21-2004, 02:11 AM
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Originally Posted by xaznperswaesonx
i dont know if it's been discussed, but from what i've heard from mechanics is that the reason for the break is is that the piston and piston rings need to conform to the motor. If you drive it hard, the piston and rings will expand too much where it will scratch the cylinder walls due to excessively high heat. (heat makes thing expand) so if you drive the car like a granny, then the piston and rings will expand to a medium to where it expands enough to keep the oil from leaking into the combustion chambers and not expand enough to scratch the cylinder walls. I COULD BE WRONG! Think of this way .. do you warm up your car before you drive it? and if you do, does it tend to last longer?
What about my mom, grandma, aunt, sister-in-law? They've never known how to break in a new car properly. I guess their cars have to be in dealers for service often but none of'em had any problems.
08-21-2004, 04:56 AM
#40
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Originally Posted by xaznperswaesonx
i dont know if it's been discussed, but from what i've heard from mechanics is that the reason for the break is is that the piston and piston rings need to conform to the motor. If you drive it hard, the piston and rings will expand too much where it will scratch the cylinder walls due to excessively high heat. (heat makes thing expand) so if you drive the car like a granny, then the piston and rings will expand to a medium to where it expands enough to keep the oil from leaking into the combustion chambers and not expand enough to scratch the cylinder walls. I COULD BE WRONG! Think of this way .. do you warm up your car before you drive it? and if you do, does it tend to last longer?
