I know that there are a million opinions about break-in periods, but I was wanting to see what advice you might have for my situation.

I'm picking up my new '06 and need to drive 500 miles home. I was planning on driving it hard for the first 20-50 miles, per the "drive it like you stole" it method. Then, I was gonna chill on the rest of the way home, keeping it around 60 (or whatever is reasonable).

Do you think it would be beneficial to take plenty of breaks? Is 70 mph to 80mph reasonable in a brand stinkin' new engine for 8 hours? I'm gonna change my oil pretty soon after I get home.

Thoughts? Opinions? Disagreements?

 

I'd like other's opinions on this as well. I'm about to get mine and have to drive 250 miles back. I only wish I could get a clear bra on it to avoid rock chips.

 

I would probably keep the speed down, rpms below 4k, and vary your speed by not staying at one speed for a long period of time.

 

Hey Hokie.

I plan on putting painter's tape all over the bumper and hood until I get home to get my bra on it. You may look like an idiot for a couple of days, but it'll be flawless when you're ready to put the bra on.

Here's my inspiration:
https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...inter%27s+tape

 

Hey, good idea! I'm not opposed to looking like a damn fool for a few days. Couldn't look worse than my last modification See the link.

2003 350z Redline Performance - RIP 10/04/05

 

I don't buy the "drive it like you stole it method". I've been driving mine at part throttle and below 4k for the first 1200 miles.

 

You can "break in" the car on a 500 mile ride - most certainly. Driving it "hard" or "like you stole it" right away - despite arguments to the contrary - is not encouraged in the least... but it is your $35-40K...

"Break in" procedures are drafted by the engineers who designed, built, and tested your car and its individual components. There will always be people (typically without the same background) who will advise other procedures to follow... soley at your own risk. Better that you should understand that proper "break in" is actually heat management of diverse (component) metals destined to work together in an extremely hostile environment. The engineers have designed a complex yet efficient machine that is reasonably forgiving (of us hapless human operators) provided we keep the operation within the design parameters and perform routine maintenance - it's really that simple.

So, how best to manage the heat during the "break in" phase..?

On the return (500 mile) trip, keep the rpms fluctuating, evenly up and down. Once you've shifted into 6th (or 5th in the auto), gently accelerate to 3K and allow the rpms to drop 1500-1700 rpms [I]at the same rate[I] and repeat.
Each time you can access slightly more of the available rpms - but stay below 5K for the whole trip. Accelerating creates more heat; decelerating tends to dissapate heat. What you're doing is creating a heating/cooling cycle that has a beneficial effect on the piston rings/cylinder walls sealing.

Done well, the engine will be more efficient and experience better longevity.
As you amass more mileage, you can vistit the upper regions of the tach more frequently - but remember the heat cycling trick. By the time you have 2,500 miles, she'll be nice and tight - and willing... have fun.

 

WOW! Thanks for the very informative post ironmike! I'll definitely heed your advice. I feel sorry for the poor S.O.B.'s that are gonna be behind me as I accelerate and decelerate on I-35.

 

I had to do a 400 mile trip from los angeles to sacramento in cali when i got my 05 g35 6mt on 9th of december.

i stayed and drove 150 miles plus in the LA area for the weekend though. every 5 or 6 miles i'll downshift to 5th and pass a few cars on sr99 and shift back to 6th to cruise at about 80mph... made a stop in fresno to visit parents and siblings. had half a tank when I left LA and made it to fresno with the refuel light on but the needle slightly above the E. stayed a few hours driving through city traffic in fresno, and letting my pop drive crosstown give him a taste of how the g35 drives... refueled and left for sactown... again varying the rpm and passing but at longer less frequent intervals (about 10miles)...

my 2k2 6spd maxima did the same thing when i got it in huntington beach in south la the same way back in jan 02, except i didn't vary the rpm much at all. The maxima with 59k miles on it now still purs quietly... a little too quiet compared to the g. the exhaust note on the g makes my maxima (only performance mod is an injen intake) sound like a lexus.