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Old 06-04-2003, 12:38 PM   #1
Extraze
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Default To break-in or not to break-in ... that is the question !

so im getting the car in 2 months ...

i purchased a 02 WRX last year ... babied it for 1000Miles ... never reved it up higher than 4... (ok ... maybe once or twice) wouldnt speed, the best treatment a car can get in its first 1000Miles...

Conclusion ? 2 trannies, 1 Radiator, 1 Power Steering pump, 1 Fuel Rail... name it ...

what should i do with the STi ???

the owner here of the subaru dealer just got it ... and doesnt even think about breaking it in, he probably went over 5K more than a 100 times now ... and he has had alot of cars.

i have read from different engine builders that break-in is done at the factory, and that its is actually better to rev it to redline than keep it under 4K...

im confused ...

anyone care to shed some light on the subject, i know this subject has been beaten to death in other forums. but i would simply like to have opinions from people that DO break in... keeping it under 4K ... and people that "let it loose".

thank you
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Old 06-04-2003, 12:46 PM   #2
CBoldman
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This topic is pretty debateable. I personally do not see how a proper break in (1000 miles 4k and under) would hurt the car so I follow that. Becasue really, how could it hurt the car and casue mulitple problems by allowing it a slow break in?
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Old 06-04-2003, 12:50 PM   #3
C-daleRidr
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Another perspective on break-in .

There's an article linked in this thread that's interesting.
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Old 06-04-2003, 12:55 PM   #4
Extraze
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i really like what he is saying here,

and i quote :

"
Consider this:
Due to the vastly improved metal casting and machining technologies which are now used, tight parts in new engines are an extremely very rare occurrence these days. But, if there is something wrong with the engine clearances from the factory, no amount of running will correct the problem ...

... regardless of how easy or hard you run the engine during it's break-in !!

"
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Old 06-04-2003, 12:59 PM   #5
cyberdeep
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Default Re: To break-in or not to break-in ... that is the question !

Quote:
Originally posted by Extraze

im confused ...
me too! i have been "nice" to my car so far (150 miles), but i really am not sure whether to continue the same way or drive hard...
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Old 06-04-2003, 01:13 PM   #6
cky3396
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i suggest do what the owners manual says to do... it should be there

if no official break has been released, then do whatever you want with the car and if something goes wrong you have a warranty
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Old 06-04-2003, 01:14 PM   #7
briank
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Default Re: Re: To break-in or not to break-in ... that is the question !

Quote:
Originally posted by cyberdeep


me too! i have been "nice" to my car so far (150 miles), but i really am not sure whether to continue the same way or drive hard...
What does the owners manual say?

-BrianK
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Old 06-04-2003, 01:29 PM   #8
inchoate
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owners manual says keep it under 4000 rpm, don't accellerate or brake abruptly for first 1000 miles.
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Old 06-04-2003, 01:30 PM   #9
catass
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Default Re: Re: Re: To break-in or not to break-in ... that is the question !

Quote:
Originally posted by briank


What does the owners manual say?

-BrianK
owners manual says not to take it above 4k rpm for the first 1000 miles.

- michelle
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Old 06-04-2003, 01:37 PM   #10
skuttledude
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Back in 1997 I entered my brand new WRB Sube RS 2.5 in a rally-cross in Kentucky. I think it had around 300 miles on it. It was muddy, rainy/sleet. Rev-ed it to redline all the time.
Everything worked fine. HOWEVER, when I get my Sti I'll probably do the usual 4000rpm break in. (no rally-crosses for a little while)


Like it was said above, I can't see how the 4,000rpm break-in would damage the car. (especailly on a turbo car)

Just my .03

Davis
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Old 06-04-2003, 01:48 PM   #11
Pre-diddy
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Remember that just because you break your car in, doesn't mean much for its reliability. I am not saying don't break your car in, because I know my STi will never see above 4k for the first 1000miles. Not once. What I am trying to say is that even if you break your car in easily for 1000 miles, that doesn't mean jack if you abuse it for the next 10,000 miles. Not saying you did, Extraze, but i think your car either sounds like it was a straight up lemon, or maybe you abused the crap out of it after break in. Too much stuff sounds like it broke for just normal driving. Either way, you shouldn't base the reliability of another car with a different engine on that experience. One other point I'd like to make is that the article that people keep linking to(and i assume its just that same motorcylce guy talking about beating on your engine durring breakin ). First of all, motorcycle and car engines are very different. Motorcylce engines go to rpms up to 12k and higher, on a regular basis. They also have less load on them in general, because of the weight of motorcycles compared to that of a car. If a normal street driven car saw that rpm even once for a second or so, it runs a pretty good chance of destroying itself. They also operate differently than car engines in the way that they recycle thier engine and tranny oil. My point is, what is good for one is ot necessarily good for the other. One final point is that just as much of break in is for the rest of the car that it is for the engine. Other things like trannsmisions, drivetrains, etc also have to be broken in properly... I want to type more but I'm hungry so im off to lunch. I hope you get my point though. Be nice to your car.

Last edited by Pre-diddy; 06-04-2003 at 02:00 PM.
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Old 06-04-2003, 04:29 PM   #12
Extraze
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Quote:
Originally posted by Pre-diddy
Remember that just because you break your car in, doesn't mean much for its reliability. I am not saying don't break your car in, because I know my STi will never see above 4k for the first 1000miles. Not once. What I am trying to say is that even if you break your car in easily for 1000 miles, that doesn't mean jack if you abuse it for the next 10,000 miles. Not saying you did, Extraze, but i think your car either sounds like it was a straight up lemon, or maybe you abused the crap out of it after break in. Too much stuff sounds like it broke for just normal driving. Either way, you shouldn't base the reliability of another car with a different engine on that experience. One other point I'd like to make is that the article that people keep linking to(and i assume its just that same motorcylce guy talking about beating on your engine durring breakin ). First of all, motorcycle and car engines are very different. Motorcylce engines go to rpms up to 12k and higher, on a regular basis. They also have less load on them in general, because of the weight of motorcycles compared to that of a car. If a normal street driven car saw that rpm even once for a second or so, it runs a pretty good chance of destroying itself. They also operate differently than car engines in the way that they recycle thier engine and tranny oil. My point is, what is good for one is ot necessarily good for the other. One final point is that just as much of break in is for the rest of the car that it is for the engine. Other things like trannsmisions, drivetrains, etc also have to be broken in properly... I want to type more but I'm hungry so im off to lunch. I hope you get my point though. Be nice to your car.
i think that is a great post.

i totally agree with you, babying a car for 1000Miles, and putting your brick shoes everyday after that will probably destroy the car.

as for my personal car driving behavior (concerning my old WRX anyway) im sure it was probably an all out lemon car. since i was pretty easy going on it, not saying i was all the time, but anyway its besides the point.

i was simply pointing that out to give people something to think about.
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Old 06-04-2003, 06:11 PM   #13
Cone killer
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Good luck trying to keep it under 4K! In first and second gear the revs are up there before you know what's happening
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Old 06-04-2003, 08:36 PM   #14
CoOlSlY
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Break in is not just for the engine... They suggest this method of driving to indicate not to drive the car hard. Brakes, joints and all those things needs proper break in way more than the engine itself...

Sylvain
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