Break in period

[Buzzardbob]

Have you all observed the driving instructions during the break in period of 1200 miles? Has anyone ever experienced engine problems who did not observe the break in instructions?

[tama48]

I followed them to the letter and have had no problems.

[DreamU]

This is a fairly controversial topic.

I followed the break-in instructions, more or less, based on the trust that the Nissan engineers had a reason for putting it in the manual.

However, if you check out this site, http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm you will see the claim that the engine is basically broken-in the first 20-30 minutes. In other words, you have probably lost any ability to break the car in since the dealer already drove it for 20 minutes!

[Buzzardbob]

This is interesting. The reason this came up at all is that my car was driven from NY State to Maine on a dealer exchange and I could imagine (to my dismay after reading the manual) the driver zipping to Maine as fast as he could get there. If the article is correct that scenario might be the best thing that could have happened to the car. I guess we will have to wait and see what we see. So far the car has been great. Just did an 800 mile round trip and it ran as smooth as can be.

[proxim2020]

The topic is a very controversial topic. Although it would be wise not to run the 24 Hour Le Mans on a new V engine, the break in period has been missed. I side with the second portion of DreamU's posting. Simulated 500 mile bench tests are run on the engines before they are installed in the V's. I took my V on a 5500 mile cross country journey when it only had 123 miles on it. The 123 had some light driving mixed with some traffic and a lot of what I call "testing". I haven't had any problems with it thus fair.

[GoodbyeCavalier]

I followed it pretty well but the mpg doesnt start clicking till about 6000 or at least for me, and only for the first half of the tank. I know sounds wierd.

[IDParrothead]

When I picked mine up, I specifically asked the sales guy AND the service manager about breaking it in. The manager told me emphatically that cars are pretty much broke in when they come in with technology today. He told me the best way to treat your car starting out is to drive it like you are going to drive it. If you are going to drive it like you stole it, drive it like you stole it off the dealer lot. He felt the problems people have is they baby their car for the first x amount of mile, then drive it normal or harder after that. To me, that makes more sense. But, I know nothing about cars except driving them. I have driven mine like I am going to always drive it, and at less than 1200 miles, I am getting 32-34 mpg every time.