Break in Period and Gas?

[Jersey Coupe Driver]

I'm driving an '06 6MT Peal White/Stone. What's the dealio on the break in period? Is this a myth or should should I drive under 3000 RPM's till I hit 1000 miles or so?

Also, since this is a lease, the dealer suggested that I fill up with 87 octane fuel.

Looking for your input on the break in period and type of gas to use.

[elwesso]

I dont really believe in break in periods..... You can break the engine in and still be hard on it.. I wouldnt say you need to be bouncing it off the rev limiter for the first 1000 miles, but i dont think you need to keep it under 3 grand.... Id say you can drive the car as hard as you want after 500 miles or so... It also depends on how you drive the car...... 1000 highway miles migh be the same (or less)as 500 city miles as far as wear and tear on the engine.

The dealer is an idiot dont use 87... Use the good stuff, your car will thank you!!!

[joe603]

First off, congrats on the new car! These cars are truly awesome aren't they!

I agree somewhat with elwesso...break-ins are not that important. However, I do recommend that you let the engine warm up first thing in the morning and don't go past 6k on the TAC until the first oil change at 1000mi. Start-up is the most dangerous time for an engine, and letting it get up to temp will prolong the life of engine seals. The only reason I suggest keeping it under 6k, is so you don't hit the limiter with crappy oil in the car that could have small metal shavings in it.

Read the owners manual for the gas...it clearly states that premium should be used. In fact it says that if "premium cannot be used, fill with lower octane, and keep the engine below (5k) and fill with premium ASAP".

[C-Kwik]

Probably one of the more important factors is to make sure you never lug your motor. You'll hear this in just about every reading on engine break-in. Other commonatilities arte to use mineral oils (though there is at least one article I've read that says it's okay to use synthetics) and that the engine should be warmed up early on in the break-in. How it is driven has a couple of theories. The most common and the one supported by the OEM is to drive it nicely. The alternate theory is to drive it hard. Particularly in the first 50 miles or so. Both theories have the same objective - to tray and remove the peaks in the cross hatching while maintaining a proper amount of valleys to hold oil and to prevent folding the peaks over. Here is the drive hard theory:

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

[J-Owner]

If you use the lower octane gas the engine will ping and then you will have to have the throttle body cleaned ( I think that is the thing or heads or something) Honestly I fogot what it was called it has been about four years.

Anyway, I put low octane in my J30 for a while and had to pay to have the pinging resolved.

While it might be a lease, until that lease expires YOU are responsible for the maintenance, so unless you want expensive bills later, use what is recommended, Premium only.

[C-Kwik]

If you use the lower octane gas the engine will ping and then you will have to have the throttle body cleaned ( I think that is the thing or heads or something) Honestly I fogot what it was called it has been about four years.

Anyway, I put low octane in my J30 for a while and had to pay to have the pinging resolved.

While it might be a lease, until that lease expires YOU are responsible for the maintenance, so unless you want expensive bills later, use what is recommended, Premium only.

Pinking AKA Engine knock can occur with lower octane fuels, but OEMs generally design their motors to run safely on regular unleaded gas. It may affect performance and gas mileage, but it should run safely on it if everything else is working correctly.

Having to clean the throttle body? Doubt it. In fact, unless you were using a low octane furl for a long duration, no immediate harm would be done. At worst, low octane fuels would end up with more carbon deposits as the detergents are fewer, but pinging would not cause this. Carbon deposits can actually contribute to detonation but are not a result of it. The big concern with pinging is actually damaging the internals of your motor, ie rods, pistons, cylinder walls, valves, heads).

[redhed]

i think most of todays engines incorporate spark knock sensors and adjust timing if need be to prevent pre-detonation. still, i probaby would avoid running anything lower than 89 octane.

as for break-in, it's probably best to just follow what the maker says. according to my owner's manual ('06 coupe - automatic) nissan says keep revs below 4k rpm for the first 1200 miles. also, avoid hard braking if possible during that first 1200 miles...