WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO BREAK IN A NEW ENGINE!

worldrecordwhitetail · 09-07-2002, 09:43 PM

My new truck arrives in late October. I'm not sure if there is a break in period for the engine but if there is I'm wondering how to go about it. I've heard the first 5,000km to baby it. I've herd you should beat the hell out of it. and I've herd to vary your speed frequently. And also it shouldn't be taken on the highway the first 5,000km. Any advice would help greatly.

Dave590 · 09-07-2002, 10:06 PM

About the only engine that requires a bonified "break-in" period anymore is a Harley Davidson.

I suspect that your new owners manual will tell you to just "drive it" like your gonna always drive it.

I recently got my wife an '01 Chevy trailblazer. There was no prescribed break-in at all, with the exception of more frequent oil changes for the first few thousand miles.

Nowadays you can pretty much just get in and drive.

Derag2 · 09-08-2002, 08:18 AM

this is how i would do it. Drive it like you will drive it all the time. If you drive it nice all the time break it in nice you like to feel the power than feel the power. The engine will probly come factory with 5w-30 in it i would run that until your first oil change then put 10W-30 in it cause to me 5W-30 in a big engine like a 350-351-360 just aint right.

Maybe i shoulda asked what engine your truck has????????? and what kind it is?

"Trophies are not measured in Inches!"

soonerbred · 09-08-2002, 09:30 AM

I am a firm believer in breaking in one like your going to drive it. I have tried both methods and was much more pleased with the pickup which was broke in this way.

raceman30 · 09-08-2002, 03:26 PM

Drive it as you will always drive it. This has worked for me faithfully either with my racecar or my trucks. Good luck...

halcon · 09-08-2002, 03:56 PM

Just drive it has always worked for me .I'm going to get a new truck next month ,don't know what kind yet but have been looking at the crew cabs .

Cyrus · 09-09-2002, 09:01 AM

What everyone else has said. Take it up to all speeds you would normally drive.

Tazman · 09-09-2002, 09:59 AM

As others have said drive it the way you normally drive, the only exception I have ever heard was if you are taking a long highway trip do not set the cruise control on one constant speed for long periods.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club