The dealership told me it was not necessary to "break in" the new TL engine for fuel economy. Is this true? I want to maximize the fuel efficiency and I thought I should stay under 65 for the first 600-1000 miles. Any informed opinions appreciated.

 

I think that it rally does not matter if you stay under or go over 65 during that time. I found that the mileage will fluctuate according to the daily stop and go whether its city driving or traffic jam. Highwat truly get 500+ miles in a full tank. Tested and testing again this weekend.

 

Everyone I speak with regarding this (including the salesman, service dept.) say that the engine has already been broken in prior to assembly. I was told they fire it up to test it and let it run. If this is untrue someone correct me and everyone else that has told me.

 

IMHO, please just follow what your owner manual says, and do the proper break-in for the certain mileage. It's good for your MPG and performance in the future. Is it 600-1k miles so hard to execute?

(Otherwise, two of my friends never break-in their 04TLs, and they will have new lease cars 3 years after...)





BTW, ahemp, although my 04TL could run 32-33 MPG at 50-55 MPH purly in the highway, I doubt it can run 500 miles per tank by maintaining such low MPH... Maybe I have to ignore "low fuel warning" light and "Miles to Empty" these two indicators.

 

I always trust the people who made the car, as opposed to sell the car. I know in this case they are agreeing with Acura. If there were an rpm issue for break-in, it would be in the manual. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone (including dealerships) have advised break-in limitations above and beyond what the factory says.

Oh, here's an interesting take on break-in. It claims the best fuel mileage comes from a good, hard break-in. Take it or leave it, but I think what he argues makes a lot of sense.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

With today's manufacturing tolerances, I doubt it's necessary but use common sense. Redlining and hard driving might be put aside for awhile. It's hard not to speed etc when a car is new. Manuals are full of legaleze to make the attorneys happy. Just like the warning with the nav unit.