I know this might sound ridiculous, but the salesperson at my dealership said, "There is no break-in period." He said the Infiniti engine is so fine (micro-finished, mirror-polished, blahblahblah) that you really don't need to break it in.

I haven't punished my car, but I haven't babied it either. Does anyone know what are the adverse effects of not properly breaking in your car?

2003.5 G35 Sedan 6MT
Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Tints
Premium/Aero/Sport
Factory Chrome Rims

 

One thing I have learned is that salesman seriously don't know [censored] about cars. You should probably keep it mellow the first 1200 miles.

I had my guy tell me you only needed to change the oil every 7500 miles. Er. no. you change the oil when it's dirty.

Other dealerships told me the seats do fold down in the sedan and that it's off a maxima chassis and blah blah blah.

04 Sedan. Obs. Black W/ Willow. Premium, Navigation, Sport Tuned. 35% Tint on sides, 20% back, K @ N, Brand Spankin New.

 

The motor comes from the factory with some durability testing already done on it. Why Inifniti wants you to take it easy is from a pure safety aspect. While the motor may be ready to go, the rest of the chassis might not be. By taking it easy, an weak parts are going to surface with hopefully little or no injury to the occupants.

Jim
'03 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Aerodynamic Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio

 

This is something that really burns me up. You lazy pile of crap, if you are a car salesperson at least know your product, although they should also know the competion. What do they do all day when they don't have active work? Sit and BS with the other salepersons. Do you want to sell cars or what? Unreal.

Sorry, rant over. Follow the guidelines, it's only 1200 miles. Not worth the risk.

2003.5 Sedan Black/Black w/ sport, premium, aero, and winter packages.

 

break in shmreak in. who needsa break in

2003 6MT Laser Red Coupe, Premium, Chrome 18's

 

Thanks, G35Fanatic. You're the only who said what I wanted to hear, but I fear everyone else is right.

To add to my worries, I drove my G35 off the lot with over 100 miles already on it. I can't help but wonder where she's been, and what people might have done to her. Kinda like the feeling you get when you marry the girl of your dreams, knowing she's been around the block a few times, if you catch my drift.


2003.5 G35 Sedan 6MT
Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Tints
Premium/Aero/Sport
Factory Chrome Rims

 

It never hurts to follow the break in period, but its just to tempting to floor it.

I didn't break in my car at all and its running perfect. Don't lose sleep over it. About the only thing I did was make sure the engine was warm before I floor it at every stop light.

automatic sedan
areo dynamic kit
sport suspension
bronze tint

 

My salesman gave me some advice that I thought was odd at the time but reading G message boards seems like it might not have been bad advice. He said not to worry about going too fast, but try to avoid standing on the brakes during the breakin period (of course, do it if you have to but don't do something silly just to see how good the brakes are that early).

I took it easy accelerating anyway. Why chance it?

 

You are being worked-up over nothing. Just carefully read the owner's manual as to break-in and everything will be fine.

<font color=blue>Dan</font color=blue>

 

The truth is that nobody knows.

Nobody can argue longer about proper engine break-in for modern cars than three engine rebuild professionals. My brother is one of them and has been such a mechanic for 25 years. He and his two co-owners all have different opinions, and he is the youngest at 46. One says to drive it like crazy from day one, one agrees with "common practice" gradual break-in, and one (my brother) says it doesn't matter what you do.

No matter what you decide to do there is a following of people that say it's the right way, and there is an equally strong argument that you are doing it totally wrong.


03.5 Coupe - Black/Willow, 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, Sat

 

Shader7, What did you do?


2003.5 G35 Sedan 6MT
Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Tints
Premium/Aero/Sport
Factory Chrome Rims

 

I drove my car normally from Day 1 and have never had any problems. Have 22000 miles now.

<font color=blue>2003 G35 BS Sedan AT - St. Louis, MO
Premium, Winter, Xenon
35% Tint All Around - Clear Side Markers
MB Quart / Eclipse Stereo System
PIAA Extreme Whites - K&N Drop-In</font color=blue>

 

The rules in the owner's manual for break-in are guidelines. Don't floor it, redline it, stand on the brakes, and also don't baby it. You're not just breaking in the engine.. there's the entire drivetrain, including the transmission, that needs some time to develop wear patterns and seat in properly. Don't be overly aggressive, don't be overly gentle, and don't worry too much about it -- and the first 1200 miles will pass in no time.

Oh, and never listen to the salesman's advice.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Okay, I have to ask, but I feel dumb. What does it mean to "stand on the brake"?


2003.5 G35 Sedan 6MT
Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Tints
Premium/Aero/Sport
Factory Chrome Rims

 

From a relatively fast speed, just floor the brake pedal.. make ABS do it's thing all the way to a complete stop.

It's bad for new brakes. You'll get uneven pad material deposited on the rotors.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter