Hey, guys! Obviously I'm new to these forums and figured I'd go ahead and make my introduction here. Friday, July 2nd I will be the proud new owner of a 2010 SH-AWD 6spd MT TL and I'm just looking for some advice from current owners on how they handled breaking in the car.

I've only ever bought used cars so this is all brand new for me and from what I've heard every new car needs to be "broken in". I have a 2 hour drive back from the dealership I'm picking it up from so I'd like to know if I need to use any restraint while on the road trip. Please say no!

Thanks!

 

Drive it real easy until 1500 miles ..

Engines need breaking in for a reason.

 

Ya, basically just take it easy. Keep the rpms low, under 3-4k, use the throttle gradually no rapid acceleration or full throttle starts and after the first 600 miles or so you can begin to open it up a little more and drive "normal" but being on the safe side wait until 1K miles before anything more but that is up to you.

Be as gentle on the brakes as possible for the first 200 miles or so and vary engine rpms speeds within the 3-4k range as much as you can, especially on the highway. No coasting at one speed, excessive idling or locked in cruise control. On the highway ride back use frequent gear changes to keep the engine at different speeds.

Congrats and enjoy!

 

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

 

interesting article!

 

Actually that is an interesing read. A lot can still be considered theory on both sides of the debate. I am no expert so most of this is just my opinion nor am I for or against whatever anyone chooses to do.

The problem I have with the site and it's info is that while it may very well be the case for seating the rings, the engine still has so many moving parts that cut into each other at break in that are proven by excessive wear in the first couple of oil changes, especially the first. No matter how great the engine specs or tolerances, this is still a given and it is proven.

So for fuel economy and power and is a sound theory but the engine longevity is more dependent on how the parts cut into each other determined by the break in. This method will accelerate wear no question and most consider wear to be the number one cause of engine break down over improper ring seating. Blow by and oil contamination will not create as much of an issue if quality oil and filter are used and regularly maintained.

More importantly, all the info and testing was done with motorcycle engines which were used in racing and the theory only applied to everyday passenger car engines with no testing. It makes more sense on bikes with their higher rpms structure and capabilities, not so much passenger vehicles. Not only that the different oil use could potentially allow a bike to get away with this procedure but not a car on 5W-20.

Not to mention the bikes were race bikes so who really knows if different octane or oil was used in certain bikes over others and whether they had any mods or customizations. It also didn't present any evidence if imporper ring seating is an issue with normal break in on a passenger vehicle engines.

 

Congrats on your new car. Sorry to say, you will definitely have to use restraint. I don't know what the Owner's Manual states, but I believe the break-in period is somewhere around 1,000 miles. Drive gently during this time.

Alot of highway driving actually helps break-in. Make sure you very your speed/rpm regularly for best possible break-in.

 

Don't race ... don't exceed the speed limit for excessive periods of time ... don't sit on the cruise for extended periods of time. Have done this for any new car ever purchased, and always end up with engine longetivity and mpg's which exceed the manufacturer's window sticker. For me, this is relaitvely easy, as 1000 miles is nothing more than 1-1/2 weeks of daily commuting to/from work.

 

Solid advice guys, thanks! The dealership will already be putting 200+ miles on it before I even get it since they're having to go pick it up. So hopefully they don't send some kid on that trip. I normally would not except this but my dealer knocked off $400 from the price because of the extra mileage being put on the car.

So, I'm putting that towards having the Midnight Chrome grille and rear trim installed on the car. Parts and instillation pretty much came out to about $100 after that. Seems like a fair deal to me.

 

So how many miles do you have on your TL now?

I'm currently at about 8100 mi.

 

22,092

 

I just bought my 2010 TL AWD today and the dealership said that the TL's are "factory broken in." I went to the head mechanic on staff and he said that no break in was necessary. Anyone have thoughts on this? I'm driving to visit my family over this 4th of July weekend (about a 5 hour drive) and didn't want to hurt the car at all from the extensive highway driving.

 

Congratz!

I would check and follow the manual. I believe it gives a mileage amount as a "break in period" and what to do, what not to do.

The debate on whether a 'break in period" is necessary or not is, especially in today's newer cars, is well, still a debate and hearsay.

 

Short answer is go by the book, I beleive the manual states to vary speed, no hard acceleration and such for first 600 miles. I woudl baby it the most then after that use your common sense, I usually get an oil change around 2K miles and after that I am OK with not worrying about break in any more, but honestly after the first 600 miles punching it is not going to kill the engine, unless you do it all day long.

 

Maybe my imagination but I noticed the engine revving easier after the first 500 miles or so. I have a 2010 TL sh-awd/tech package/6 MT that I bought in March. After the 600-mile mark, I started taking the engine to redline in first and second gear. Car, drivetrain and driver liked it.