Break In

[meinbmw]

Just purchased Highlander Ltd ... a whole 50 miles on it already.

I have a business trip scheduled - how important is it to follow the break-in instructions in the manual which refers to, for the first 600 miles, not driving at highway speeds for extended periods of time and/or varying your speed?

Some people take a "drive it like you stole it" approach, and others feel that the instructions should be followed to a T.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[Ralph6410]

How long do you plan to keep the truck? For optimum life of the engine, brake and transmission components follow the instructions. Anything less will be a compromise, your choice.

[sweeneyp]

I had heard from a local mechanic that modern cars don't need to be broken in like the older ones did. Though I have never bought a car new, I have always bought them used, so I don't really know from experience, just my 2 cents.

Also, to Toyota Nation and congrats on the new purchase!

[Zembonez]

Break in is mostly a thing of the past. Some are still anal enough to do it. I say drive it like you want and be happy. They mostly just don't want you abusing it in the first 1000 miles or so.

[bschurr]

Originally Posted by meinbmw

Just purchased Highlander Ltd ... a whole 50 miles on it already.

I have a business trip scheduled - how important is it to follow the break-in instructions in the manual which refers to, for the first 600 miles, not driving at highway speeds for extended periods of time and/or varying your speed?

Some people take a "drive it like you stole it" approach, and others feel that the instructions should be followed to a T.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

My break in consists of not hammering it for the first 100 miles or so and then I prescribe to the "drive it like ya stole it" methodology. That being said, I am a serial lease guy for my DDs so I am in and out of cars every 2-3 years.

[Ralph6410]

Breaking in.. with special oils etc.. is a thing of the past. Modern machining technologies make for much better "finished" products than those made 50 years ago. Still.. when your seals start leaking at 80K or your brakes don't work as good as they should.. you may speculate if "perhaps" not driving "like I stole it" could have been part of the problem.
This is one reason why one should question a "demo" if one expects to keep it for a long term.

[shellback]

If I recall correctlythere is a recommendation that you should not do any trailer towing for the first 300 miles. That being said, it would seem to indicate that you should not drive it like you stole it for the first 300 miles and then let your conscience be your guide.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

I had heard from a local mechanic that modern cars don't need to be broken in like the older ones did. Though I have never bought a car new, I have always bought them used, so I don't really know from experience, just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by Zembonez

Break in is mostly a thing of the past. Some are still anal enough to do it. I say drive it like you want and be happy. They mostly just don't want you abusing it in the first 1000 miles or so.

Agreed, but I'd still say don't do any "extremes" with it if you can, such as panic braking or hard acceleration like a soccer mom....

to the nation!

[dtown40]

Congrats on your new Highlander, and welcome to the forum.

[MI-Silver-HL]

My view is the engineers know more about the proper break in procedure than anyone you'd find online (unless they are the engineer). You can't hurt the vehicle by following the recommended procedure - you can't say the same if you don't.

Within a week of getting my '11 I did an 800 mile road trip. It was no big deal following the recommended procedure.

Roll the dice and take your chances...

[Subaryota]

The 2 school's of thought

1) No extremes for the first 1600km (1000miles)

2) Wide Open throttle - which apparently, is done with race cars and aircraft engines.

Method 1). Goal is longevity and reduction in oil consumption in the long run. It allows for tighter resulting tolerances. I've used this for my new vehicles and have had good results from the standpoint of oil consumption at high mileage.

Method 2). Goal is for maximum power by reducing internal friction through looser resulting tolerances. Race engines are rebuilt between each race. Aircraft engines are rebuilt multiple times over the life of the airplane.

I'm hoping I'll never have to rebuild the engine for the life of the vehicle. And I'm anal enough about it such that when I absolutely had to drive on the highway for 1-1.5hrs within the break-in period, I would vary the speed on the engine by either driving over the speedlimit a bit, then drop the speed down to below the limit, and cycle that up again every 5-10min. Or switch down a gear and then up a gear every 5-10 min.

My 2 cents.

Cheers