Newb on taking care of a new 2010 XRS (one more question)

[ToxicBanana]

I made the deposit for a 2010 Toyota Corolla XRS and I am just waiting for it to be shipped to my home town.

*I did use the search

I have never owned a new car before and want to make sure I dont hurt it or cause any unnecessary wear on it, so I had a few questions and hope you all can help me out.

1. Whats this I hear about idling to warm up the engine actually being a bad thing? (can you also let me know if there is a different answer if the car is new or not)

2. Whats the top speed I should run at to avoid hurting the engine and how many miles/kilometer do I need to run before I can drive at higher speeds?

3. Whats the top RPM I should run at to avoid hurting the engine and how many miles/kilometer do I need to run before I can drive at higher speeds?

4. I read also that idling when warm (say you waiting for someone at a 7/11 and what to keep the A/C on) is bad for the engine, is this true for new cars, old cars, both or neither?

5. Any tips or something I could also do to avoid causing extra wear on the new car?



Thanks for the help

[IceXRS]

My 2009 Corolla XRS was my first car that I owned as well... experience with quite a few cars between that time but none were mine and they were almost always well used. So when I got mine I wanted to really treat it right. That said I asked a whole bunch of people and they tend to say the same thing...

Don't do anything special and drive the car normally. Do not hammer on the accelerator but don't hold back and drive slowly either. There isn't a magic number for speed or RPM... I think the only thing I was consistently told is to make sure that the car experiences are a variety of conditions while being broken in. Some highway is good but some city should be mixed in as well to vary the RPM's and speeds. The variability and experiencing the normal range of the engine should be key in my mind.

So... in my opinion... don't overdo it but don't overthink it either.

[x8dragon8x]

it actually tells you in the manual that the dealers give you. its sort of a pamphlet that tells you how to maintain your car.

[sinnaever]

Originally Posted by IceXRS

So... in my opinion... don't overdo it but don't overthink it either.

+1

I'd say...

-Don't worry about idle
-Keep your speed below 120KM/h (don't go like 140-160)
-Shift between 2400 & 3000 (unless you are passing someone)
-You can rev up to 6000rpm without hurting the car, just don't make a habit out of it, and don't do it within the first few hundred KMs of ownership often. (I revved mine up to 5500 on the first day, but that was to enter the freeway, and my car is fine)
-Just don't go drag racing and your car will be fine
-Also, don't over mod your car right off the bat either, let your engine break in before you do too much to the components.
-I don't know the "magical" number for break in regarding miles/km but I waited until my first oil change before I started to push my car (so like 6000km)

[ToxicBanana]

Perfect thanks.

[ToxicBanana]

There is a question I am still wondering about, can any of you answer for me

"Whats this I hear about idling to warm up the engine actually being a bad thing? (can you also let me know if there is a different answer if the car is new or not)"

[LeanBurn]

Excessive idling can result in fuel contamination in the engine oil, causing the oil the wear out more quickly, eventually resulting in premature engine wear. Todays newer cars are made to start and and warm up via driving, of course the colder the ambient temperature, the more gently you want to drive at first.

[flamedrgn]

dont really push your car until you hit about 3000miles. you need that break-in point.

[joeylgarcia]

Originally Posted by LeanBurn

Excessive idling can result in fuel contamination in the engine oil, causing the oil the wear out more quickly, eventually resulting in premature engine wear.

can we see a solid basis on this thing that you just said?

[LeanBurn]

Go to BITOG, search for fuel dilution, excessive idling, short trips. Lots of reading. In short, gas ruins oil over time especially if it doesn't get a chance to get to operating temperature and this greatly reduces oils effectiveness, in turn oil isn't protecting and metal parts show wear.

Modern cars warm up much faster via gentle driving than just sitting there idling. For an extreme example experiment for yourself on a freezing morning, a car idling 5 mins won't warm up near as fast as one driving gently for 1-2 mins.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by LeanBurn

Go to BITOG, search for fuel dilution, excessive idling, short trips. Lots of reading. In short, gas ruins oil over time especially if it doesn't get a chance to get to operating temperature and this greatly reduces oils effectiveness, in turn oil isn't protecting and metal parts show wear.

Modern cars warm up much faster via gentle driving than just sitting there idling. For an extreme example experiment for yourself on a freezing morning, a car idling 5 mins won't warm up near as fast as one driving gently for 1-2 mins.

+1
Start the car & drive easy until the temp gauge starts to rise, usually this will just take a minute or two while driving.

[jayissuperman]

Hey Toxic, I just put the deposit down on my xrs so they could order it too! I am afraid it may be longer than we hoped before our cars are here due to this new recall. However, I had to take my tacoma in for service and yesterday and I spoke to the dealer who said the recall really shouldnt effect our wait time. I was told a max of like 180 loooong days. I originally ordered red but the more I saw the blue I like it. I changed it to blue while I was there yesterday. Also got the leather seats. let me know what your wait time was and if you hear anything!

[ToxicBanana]

Actually I am in Mexico, so I get my car today or tomorrow. (when ever the delivery completes)

[got-rice]

Originally Posted by ToxicBanana

Actually I am in Mexico, so I get my car today or tomorrow. (when ever the delivery completes)

Are they halting delivery of new vehicles like they are here in the States because of the recall?

[ToxicBanana]

I just called Toyota

Bad news, no car until Tuesday for me.
Good news, Mexico Toyota's are built here and do not have the stuck accelerator problem. (at least not yet)