Need advise: Breaking in a brand new car

What are some things you should do when you buy a brand new car in order to make sure it runs well for a long time?

For example, I know you should not accelerate hard for the first little while. How many miles should you wait before you can go full throttle? I usually accelerate very lightly (in order to save fuel) but every once in a while I like to floor it.

Also, is it true you should not drive a car at highway speeds until it has a least a certain minimum mileage on it (if so, how much?). I drive to work on the freeway for about ten minutes every day, so does this mean I should drive through the city instead, even if it means it will take me longer?

Also when should you change the oil? I usually change it every 3000 miles but perhaps on a new car you should change it more often for the first year or so? I asked the dealer about this and he said no, but I'm not entirely convinced.

Anything else, maybe something that hasn't even crossed my mind?

All of those questions should be answered in your owner's manual...most cars don't really require that much "break in" anymore, at least as not much as one necessary.

Change the oil frequently for the first 3000 miles. I like to go at 500 miles, 1000, 2000, then 3000. After that use your own schedule. Tons of metal from the engine machining process can be left inside the engine. It clogs the filter, the valve bypasses, and your engine receives unfiltered oil with metal shavings in it.

I like to always vary the accelerator position and never keep a steady speed for more than 5-10 minutes for the first 1000-1500 miles. The piston rings will seat better with different loads. Don't beat on it, but occasionally going WOT will help ring seal and thermally stabilize the pistons. Don't hold it to the floor all the way from a stop to 70 mph, but every once in a while floor it to pass someone or merge on the highway.

I also like to prevent idling for the first few thousand miles. Not many cars still have a cam in the block since most are OHC, but it still affects them, too. Low engine speeds can starve the valvetrain of oil.

side note: how helpful is running, say, straight 30 weight or something during break-in. it sort of makes sense to use an oil with a steady viscosity and some thickness to it but how important is this? i sure as hell wouldnt use the recommended 5w20 that most cars use nowdays though.

side note: how helpful is running, say, straight 30 weight or something during break-in. it sort of makes sense to use an oil with a steady viscosity and some thickness to it but how important is this? i sure as hell wouldnt use the recommended 5w20 that most cars use nowdays though.
Not a good idea.

Using the thinner 5W20 oil (or whatever the manufacturer recommends) is MOST important when an engine is new, since that is when all the engine bearing clearances and rings are tightest. The thinner oil will lubricate better and prevent oil starvation and subsequent engine damage.

BTW excellent advice from Curtis.

So in conclusion, go easy on it, but every once in a while floor it for a few seconds to seal the rings good.

Makes sense to me.

Regarding not letting it idle too much, would it help if I put it in neutral whenever I needed to idle?