Break-In Freaking Out

[editguy29]

So, I have had the love of my life for a week now. Put about 200 miles on it. When I bough it last Saturday I asked one of the head guys in the service department about breaking the car in. He told me that cars these days do not need to be broken in. Then I finally read the manual today:( Please tell me I have done no harm to my baby. I have only driven about 200 miles, but I have pushed her a bit. I have goosed her out of first, reved above 4,000, and haven't exactly been easy on the brakes. Not for the whole 200 miles, but maybe half of them. It's just so much fun. Obviously, I am now taking it a bit easy on her. I just pray I haven't damaged her. I have apologized to her and I am hoping we can move on and live a happy life together. Man I have the fever bad.

[350zSJD]

get over 1k in miles before you start redlining the ****e out of it

[bmike818]

did you read the part in the manual where it says "failure in following the breakin procedure will result in lost horse power" dont worry you porbly just lost 2hp j/k s/b be fine<-just dont hold me to it

[niznos]

Here's some interesting reading:

http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I don't know if I'd test the theory on a new Z... but I still think it's ok. Most people can't resist doing what you did.

[bone_stock_240]

Yeah, I read that article, and there is some pretty compelling evidence that a hard break in is best. Haven't really heard the supporting evidence for a soft break in, so it is hard for me to make an unbiased judgement

[maxitorque]

One of my friends has be a GM mechanic and drag racer for 30 yrs. His advise to me has always been be nice for the first 100 miles or so the drive it like you will normally but change the oil for the first time @ 1250 miles. This cycles the drivetrain through what it will normally see. Another note, I'm an engineer for a major heavy duty engine & transmission manufacturer who has a lot of testing experience, we don't do a breaking cycle when testing our products.

[joe603]

Of course the service guy told you that....it will bring more business to them!

Be nice to her for the first 1k, change the oil to a good synthetic, then change again after 2500 miles.