Do we have to break her in?

[Injunman]

This may have been talked about here before but I am curious to know. I have heard different thoughts. One guy told me with todays cars you don't have to break them in like you used to. In fact he says if you get on it from the beginning your car will be more responsive down the road due to how the computer learns the use of the vehicle. This guy owns one of the 430HP Jaguars (forget what model) but it is their speedster. He said his dealer swore by it.

On the other hand there are those from the old school thinking like myself. I believe it needs to be broken in fairly gently so everything inside can get a good lube. I have to belive it is rough on a car to get all over it when everything is still so tight. Seems like you gotta losen her up a bit. (wait a minute is this a car or a woman) anyways, what are your thoughts.

[nards444]

still reccomended

[jpsuperman81]

You don't have to do anything. Read the manual its published by the people who make the car for a reason. I would do what they say do just to be safe. I am keeping this car forever whenever i do get it and I want it to last forever. I don't care about it running slightly faster down the road cause thats how the computer learned blah blah blah. Thats what performance mods are for.

[JoeySS/RS]

I'll have only 4-5 days to get mine broken in, but I will definately take it easy on her for the first 500 miles and then start getting agreesive with her for the next 1000 miles, but still be gentle and not try and push the rpm's over 4000. It almost sounds the same way you start off with a new girlfriend ... hmmm

I will also do an oil change at 500 miles and another after 1500 miles. Just want to make sure she is just right ...

[1320junkie]

i've never followed the manual..ive always used heat cycles...no problems...ever

[lakers171]

Originally Posted by JoeySS/RS

I'll have only 4-5 days to get mine broken in, but I will definately take it easy on her for the first 500 miles and then start getting agreesive with her for the next 1000 miles, but still be gentle and not try and push the rpm's over 4000. It almost sounds the same way you start off with a new girlfriend ... hmmm
I will also do an oil change at 500 miles and another after 1500 miles. Just want to make sure she is just right ...

exactly just pretend this is a new girlfriend and treat her good and nice and gentle in the first couple of miles.. then later on let her have it or if you want keep it constant.

[fldrummer]

Well, I've been pretty conservative, so far (shifting between 2-4K rpms), but I'm almost at 1500 miles and will change the oil and filter then. As far as the computer learning, after the oil change, I'm disconnecting the negative battery cable for 30 minutes to reset it (I hope that still works), then I'm gonna let her ''re-learn'' my NEW driving style by driving her hard for a bit. >

[RickyTheStorm]

Originally Posted by fldrummer

Well, I've been pretty conservative, so far (shifting between 2-4K rpms), but I'm almost at 1500 miles and will change the oil and filter then. As far as the computer learning, after the oil change, I'm disconnecting the negative battery cable for 30 minutes to reset it (I hope that still works), then I'm gonna let her ''re-learn'' my NEW driving style by driving her hard for a bit. >

I dunno if you are going to get much of a difference by doing that. Remember though - you have to reprogram your windows and stuff - read the manual about battery disconnect.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by Injunman

This may have been talked about here before but I am curious to know. I have heard different thoughts. One guy told me with todays cars you don't have to break them in like you used to. In fact he says if you get on it from the beginning your car will be more responsive down the road due to how the computer learns the use of the vehicle. This guy owns one of the 430HP Jaguars (forget what model) but it is their speedster. He said his dealer swore by it.

On the other hand there are those from the old school thinking like myself. I believe it needs to be broken in fairly gently so everything inside can get a good lube. I have to belive it is rough on a car to get all over it when everything is still so tight. Seems like you gotta losen her up a bit. (wait a minute is this a car or a woman) anyways, what are your thoughts.

Until you disconnect the battery and the computer completely forgets. His dealer is an idiot

[UCF w00t]

I think you guys are giving "the computer" too much credit.

[SGOS252382]

Just drive it.
I've got 300 miles on mine and I'm now driving it hard. I've done this with all my LSX cars (94z28, 99z28, 05GTO, 06GTO) and they've all run great with no motor related issues.
Just make sure to change the oil regularly and your car will be happy and run great.

[Venom40k]

Originally Posted by UCF w00t

I think you guys are giving "the computer" too much credit.

Soon it will be the computers giving US too much credit....... duh duh dunnnn!

[HaveBlue]

Roller Lifter cams don't require the brake in procedures that the old hydraulic flat tappets did. That's why current oil blends have less phosphates in them.
Still a good idea to let anything mechanical seat and break in. Do the 1000 miles instructions, change the oil and go.

Don't go by the Oil Life Monitor. It's a marketing gimmick. Oil gets dirty from contaminants way before there is viscosity breakdown.

[djm96z28]

I looked at it this way when my Z28 was new. Taking it easy when new isn't going to hurt anything. But if you "get on it from the beginning", who knows for sure? I went the easy route and my car is still going strong.