2007 1200 Mile Break in Period...?

[Solar_Orange]

Hi!(new member...long time lurker)

Just bought a '07 Base (Solar Orange) yesterday...

I've read several posts in several places about the engine RPM during the first 1200 miles. (keep it below 4000rpm) I spoke to the sales rep, and the service manager about the issue yesterday when I picked up the car. They both stated that this was false, they simply stated not to abuse the car, anybody have any "facts" on this issue? I looked thru the owners manual and couldn't find anything concerning this issue....

Any suggestions will be greatly appreaciated...

Thanks in advance!SO

[evildky]

Welcome to Nico!this is a matter of great debate, from the sales people point of view it's new and ready to roll, and there is nothing you can do to abuse it as it has rev limiter to keep you from overreving the engine, nissan publishes their officiial breaking in the manual, I suggest you follor w it, I kept my frontier under 3k rpms for the first 1k miles and under 5k for the forst 3k miles, then it was hammer time, it never had a single mechanical problem, I had it for only 80k miles and the only part failure was a radiator hose clamp! replaced clamp when I found I had a small leak and no more problems, drive ti easy give the parts a chance to seat then give it hell without guilt!

[Solar_Orange]

Thanks for the info...I believe I'll be takin' it easy on it for the first couple thousand miles. (just in case...)

Thanks!

[cory2081]

You know, I looked all through the manual and could not find anything about breaking in the engine at first, but, I did find it. I have floored the car several times, but, not what I would call really flogging the car. I can tell you that I bought a '99 Mustang GT brand new and hammered it from day 1. I think I had it at the dragstrip within the first 1,000 miles and it ran a 8.61 @ 81mph in the 1/8. I drove that car for 118,000 miles with no problems and for some reason, it was faster than any comparable GT around. I plan to change the oil at 1,000 miles. Looking at the oil, it is crystal clear, and it hasn't used any in the 400 miles that I have driven it. I'll probably continue to take it easy for 600 more miles and try not to floor it anymore, but, after that, it is GAME ON!
Modified by cory2081 at 4:49 AM 4/12/2007

[Solar_Orange]

I did find the info finally this evening....and yep.....it states very clearly, do not exceed 4000rpm for the first 1200 miles....

thanks for everybodys help....I plan to just "baby" this car for a while...

However, 1201 miles...GAME ON!

[C-Kwik]

The real key is to keep from allowing too much heat/friction to build so that the crowns of the ridges in the cylinder walls don't fold over causing poor cylinder sealing. Another thing to worry about is preventing glazing by allowing the motor to engine brake forcing a high vacuum which will pull oil and particles out of the valleys in the cylinder wall surface.

there is one school of thought that suggest a hard break-in, but takes a methodical approach to it. It seems to be a sound theory on the surface, but I can't confirm or deny if it's true. But either way, all break-in procedures to try to get you to vary speed which generally means there is some level of engine braking going on. The hard break-in procedure is based on the theory that higher cylinder pressures create more contact between the rings and the cylinder walls promoting better sealing before you get to the point where the cylinder walls wear enough not to provide any significant friction and wear.

A site that promotes this and provides their explanation is here:

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

Bear in mind, I am just providing another school of thought here and can't personally confirm how valid his info is.

[Solar_Orange]

Thanks...that's an interesting perspective on the process....however, if I've already passed the "20-mile" critical period (before I even received the car...) The match between the cylinder and rings is already a marriage. What would the additional 1180 miles in the "break-in" period change?

Is there some "other" reason for the specified time period? Are other parts also being "seasoned"? Bearings, etc....

(you have to excuse some of my rudimentary questions, I've spend most of my life inside computer networks, and am just learning which end of the screwdriver is the working end....)

Thanks!

[cory2081]

I'm quite sure that every engine in every car has been run before the car ever hits the lot. The cam/lifters have to be broken in. Ever install an aftermarket cam?? Run the engine for like 30 minutes at 2,000 rpm is the normal break-in for a flat tappet cam/lifter design (I don't think the Z has roller lifters) I know someone that works at BMW here, I'll have to ask him how they do it. I know they don't just assemble an engine and place it in the car and the first time it ever gets started is to drive it off the assembly line. God knows how those people drive your car before you ever even see it!!

[Solar_Orange]

I'd be very interested in the "behind the scenes" engine info if you ever get it...

Thanks!

[SR20Essex]

I think moto man might be onto something. I know a guy with a C6 Zo6 and he followed the method described in that site you linked to.

He recently dyno'd his Corvette and found that he has a higher HP number to the wheels than other guys who followed the "normal" break in procedure described by most manuals.

Not to say he didn't just get lucky, but it is kind of an interesting theory that pushing a motor with varying speed intervals can help promote better ring seating, makes sense if you think about it I guess.

It could be possible that those manuals were written to prevent the possibility that people would hammer the cars right off the lot and cause an engine failure which would result in an increase in rolled back cars and warranty cases. So if they tell everyone to take it easy there is less chance of major problems but also a possibility for decreased performance (per the claims of motoman).

Another food for thought: I am currently driving a "loaner" from the infinity dealership because of some pre-arranged service to my coupe (the loaner is a G35 sedan with just over 6k miles). The service manager said this car has been a loaner from mile one of its existence and people have been hammering on it since day 1. When I first drove this car I thought it would be slow because its a sedan; nothing could be further from the truth. I can't believe the power that thing puts out. I'd swear this thing has 50 more hp than my coupe.

[1st-time-Z-owner]

IS the solar orange like the Le Mans sunset orange?

[Solar_Orange]

in short....no....nothing like that color....

Think...."Orange Crush".....that's probably a good mental picture...

When it's not in the sunlight, the color has sort of a "pastel" tint to it...but in the sunlight, it gets awesome yellow and gold color changes depending upon how the sun hits it...it varies....I'm sure the color changes move along the car if it's viewed while moving.

I wasn't sure I liked it when I picked it up at the dealer at first, however seeing it in full sunlight, has changed my mind....I love it!

it snowed Tuesday afternoon after I picked up the car, so it's still in the garage and hopefully I can take it out Sunday or Monday....I've only had it for 60 miles now....I hope to get some "sunlight" pictures this weekend....

[SR20Essex]

Nice threadjack

[Double21]

I bought a 2007 350Z last Friday in the same color as yours--Solar Orange. I do love the color. It is a special color for the 2007 edition as explained to me by the salespeople. By the way, the break-in schedule for our car is on page 5-18 of the owner's manual. I am following it but wonder how those who test drove this car (if there were any) followed the guidance and what the salespeople told them to do on the test drive!

[Solar_Orange]

that's a really good question!

I guess you'll just never know...just baby it for the remainder of the break in period....I am, I had 43 miles on mine when I picked it up...and the same thought crossed my mind on the way home with it...

(got 417 miles on mine now) It's been baby'd since I got the keys...You can't miss the car....especially when the sun is out...I had reservations about the color, but I'm totally pleased with it...

I'm planning a trip in about 2 weeks, it's about 1000 miles round trip (woo-hoo) broke in when I get back!

anybody got a pro or con stance about bras on the car? I don't really want to scrub bugs off the paint, and the bra will only be on the car about 3 days total...I'd never run it with the bra full time....do you think it's better to use the bra? or scrape the bugs?

I'd love some input on this.....

[cory2081]

I havn't been real easy on mine for the break-in period. The car felt like a pig at WOT when I first got it (it had 15 miles on it). It now has about 800 and I have been driving it as I normally would the whole time, spirited driving I guess you could say. I havn't been on it constantly, but, I run it WOT here and there and the rest of time I make sure to shift at at least 3k under normal acceleration. The car feels STRONG now, so, I must be doing something right. As for your question, I usually put a couple fresh coats of wax on the front before a trip, that way the bugs don't stick and they come off without scrubbing.