break-in period and procedure
10-19-2018, 12:24 AM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
break-in period and procedure
I looked for information about the break-in period in the concise, printed manual that was provided with the car but there was none that I could find (doesn't mean it isn't there, though). I also didn't get any break-in instruction from the dealer during delivery.
The pdf manual at:
http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/p...BTJB1818OM.PDF
has only the following info for break-in:
But hidden under Precautions While Driving on page 416, we have:
Thought this may be useful for folks.
I got the car with 9 miles on the odometer and I'm still only at around 250 miles.
The pdf manual at:
http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/p...BTJB1818OM.PDF
has only the following info for break-in:
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle’s first 600 miles (1,000 km).
Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle’s first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this when the brake pads are replaced.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this when the brake pads are replaced.
I got the car with 9 miles on the odometer and I'm still only at around 250 miles.
Last edited by anoop; 10-19-2018 at 12:30 AM.
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justnspace (10-19-2018)
10-19-2018, 06:39 AM
#3
If you RDX had 9 miles on it when you first test drove it, I'll bet someone else already tested the "full throttle operation" of it. 
That is encouraged on all test drives I've been on lately. The dealers even have a test track they share by me, which allows for hard braking and cornering maneuvers.
The only thing I worry about during the first 1k miles is the brakes. These things are made to much tighter tolerances these days, which makes the break-in less important.
That is encouraged on all test drives I've been on lately. The dealers even have a test track they share by me, which allows for hard braking and cornering maneuvers. The only thing I worry about during the first 1k miles is the brakes. These things are made to much tighter tolerances these days, which makes the break-in less important.
10-19-2018, 08:07 AM
#5
-- Instructor --
My sales rep encouraged me to use Sport+ as well. I did him one better and drove over to the twistiest section of nearby roads. I told him to hold on before I really went for it. The look on his face was priceless and once the blood came back, he was real quiet for awhile. Finally he complemented me on my skill and said that no one has ever done that on his test drives. I told him it's all in the RDX, but was glad to demonstrate it's capability anytime.
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vchen441 (03-21-2023)
10-19-2018, 08:48 AM
#6
If you RDX had 9 miles on it when you first test drove it, I'll bet someone else already tested the "full throttle operation" of it. That is encouraged on all test drives I've been on lately. The dealers even have a test track they share by me, which allows for hard braking and cornering maneuvers.
The only thing I worry about during the first 1k miles is the brakes. These things are made to much tighter tolerances these days, which makes the break-in less important.
That is encouraged on all test drives I've been on lately. The dealers even have a test track they share by me, which allows for hard braking and cornering maneuvers.The only thing I worry about during the first 1k miles is the brakes. These things are made to much tighter tolerances these days, which makes the break-in less important.
When I bought mine several years ago, there were two identical RDXs on the dealer lot, one which was clean, shiny with a lot of dealer added options and placed inside the showroom and everyone including me test drove that one. But I bought the other one which was dusty, kept in the corner of the lot and the keys were missing and therefore no one could test drive it. When I finally bought it (after another test drive) it had 3 miles on the Odo.
. The dealership eventually provided me new keys anyway.Last edited by Comfy; 10-19-2018 at 08:50 AM.
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10-19-2018, 09:27 AM
#8
Can anyone point to an actual failure attributed to "spirited" driving during the break-in period?
I think a lot of our convention is informed by myth and legacy information from a time when machining wasn't as precise and lubricants wern't as good.
I think a lot of our convention is informed by myth and legacy information from a time when machining wasn't as precise and lubricants wern't as good.
10-19-2018, 09:51 AM
#9
10-19-2018, 10:05 AM
#10
You have a point, but we talking about longevity of the components, not outright failure. Also it is very difficult to prove that failure occurred due to poor procedures followed during break in period. If breaking in was not at all required in newer engines, why do the manufacturers recommend it on the manual? There has to be a valid reason, isn’t it? I presume Teslas do not require it.
I think we can all agree that the (minimal) break-in information that is included in current manuals is much less stringent and less-specific than what manufactures dictated years ago. So the trend is certainly towards less special handling required during break-in.
The number of buyers who get their vehicle fresh off the transport truck are almost nil. If you're vehicle had any test drive miles on it, chances are it was driving in a "spirited" manner -- whether by a dealership employee or another customer.
It is anecdotal, but many (most?) manufactures have a test track at their production facilities. Some manufacturers will take "sample" vehicles and put them through extended tests before releasing them for shipment. The point here is that they drive them like they stole them for ~50 miles, and still sell them to consumers. I believe Honda/Acura has a dyno/rolling-road as part of their production line where EVERY vehicle does 2-3 miles, with a bit of WOT, as well, before they can be released for transport.
10-19-2018, 10:24 AM
#11
Manuals are written by writers -- not engineers. Most manuals are not written from scratch, either; they take another manual and copy/paste/edit it. Legacy information and "myth" persists, in this way.
I think we can all agree that the (minimal) break-in information that is included in current manuals is much less stringent and less-specific than what manufactures dictated years ago. So the trend is certainly towards less special handling required during break-in.
The number of buyers who get their vehicle fresh off the transport truck are almost nil. If you're vehicle had any test drive miles on it, chances are it was driving in a "spirited" manner -- whether by a dealership employee or another customer.
It is anecdotal, but many (most?) manufactures have a test track at their production facilities. Some manufacturers will take "sample" vehicles and put them through extended tests before releasing them for shipment. The point here is that they drive them like they stole them for ~50 miles, and still sell them to consumers. I believe Honda/Acura has a dyno/rolling-road as part of their production line where EVERY vehicle does 2-3 miles, with a bit of WOT, as well, before they can be released for transport.
I think we can all agree that the (minimal) break-in information that is included in current manuals is much less stringent and less-specific than what manufactures dictated years ago. So the trend is certainly towards less special handling required during break-in.
The number of buyers who get their vehicle fresh off the transport truck are almost nil. If you're vehicle had any test drive miles on it, chances are it was driving in a "spirited" manner -- whether by a dealership employee or another customer.
It is anecdotal, but many (most?) manufactures have a test track at their production facilities. Some manufacturers will take "sample" vehicles and put them through extended tests before releasing them for shipment. The point here is that they drive them like they stole them for ~50 miles, and still sell them to consumers. I believe Honda/Acura has a dyno/rolling-road as part of their production line where EVERY vehicle does 2-3 miles, with a bit of WOT, as well, before they can be released for transport.
10-19-2018, 10:33 AM
#12
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
If you RDX had 9 miles on it when you first test drove it, I'll bet someone else already tested the "full throttle operation" of it. That is encouraged on all test drives I've been on lately. The dealers even have a test track they share by me, which allows for hard braking and cornering maneuvers.
That is encouraged on all test drives I've been on lately. The dealers even have a test track they share by me, which allows for hard braking and cornering maneuvers.According to some dealer websites, the only Acura that comes fully broken-in is the NSX.
10-19-2018, 01:33 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Mine had 9 miles on the odometer when I picked it up. My dealer said they normally put 4-5 miles on all new vehicles before releasing to the customer so it looks like the factory/shipping company did about the same. I probably wouldn't want a vehicle with just 1 mile on it, would indicate to mi it hadn't been checked out at all. My last 2 vehicles were both dealer trades and I got them with between 400-500 miles so this one is for me brand spanking new.
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