Break in period

[TerryB]

Just picked up my baby and asked the sales dude about break in periods. He claims no, notta. I dunno, just wanna make sure, or is this B.S.?

If so, what type of break in should I adhere to?

Thanks,
T

[Grendel]

I would say dont rev over 3k for like 1500 miles... mabey 3000 miles... *shrugs*

I've never broken in a new car, but I know when we were breaking in the new engine for our boat, we could only rev to 3.5k at first, then after 10 hours of use, we went to 4k, 10 more hours to 5k, then 6k, and 7k... now its completely broken in and runs perfect...

-Grendel

[hinggu]

the dealer told me i can rip it right away.. if you read the instructions, it says that you have to try and not keep it at a constant speed or to rev it to the max for the first like 1600kms or so...don't know how many miles that is

[Grendel]

Originally posted by hinggu
the dealer told me i can rip it right away.. if you read the instructions, it says that you have to try and not keep it at a constant speed or to rev it to the max for the first like 1600kms or so...don't know how many miles that is

1600kms is about 1000 miles... i think

-Grendel

[babyskyline]

What that salesman told you was totally wrong. I can't believe that he told you that you can just rip it apart like that. Anything that you get that's new like a car, boat, jetski, etc. has to be broke in. Your owners manual says to even break it in for about 1000 miles. I can tell you from experience that you need to break it in for at least like 2500-4000miles. When I first got mine I drove it pretty hard when I shouldn't have.I mean it wasn't an everyday thing but whenever someone would want to run I would do it, you know that kind of thing. About two months later the engine almost blew up. The dealership didn't even know what to say the cause was. But they tried there hardest to make it look like it was my fault. They had some people from Cali come over to where I'm at and investigate. But since they couldn't prove that I didn't do anything and that it was mechanical error on there part, NISSAN didn't even want the dearlership to look into it. So they sent me and brand new motor from Japan right off the Assembly line.The General Manager said that, that was the first time he has ever seen that happen. Till this day they still don't know what happened. When I got the new motor I didn't go past like 3000-3500rpms, I just broke over 4000miles on the new motor so now I should be able to start running it again. Good luck to you bro and just be careful on how you drive it. Oh yeah I didn't tell you, when they took the block apart and did fuel samples. They tried to say that had smelt racing fuel, which was BULL****.:alien:

[GB Phoenix77]

Hey gang,

I was wondering if anyone experience fluctuations in power and performance during break in period?

I have 920 miles on my spec v. I don't race it at all. I have taken it over 5k RPM's a couple times, but, 99.9% of the time I really baby it. I intend to be very gentle to it for the first 3k miles.

I can't help but feel like there is something wrong with the vehicle now. It seems to lack the smoothness and snappyness of acceleration that it first had. I used to be able to induce wheel spin just about anywhere on the tachometer in 2nd gear. But, now, I don't feel like it has near the power. The engine also sounds louder. It seems a little raspy... sounds more like a domestic V-8 than a smooth revving 4 cyl.

I had it in to my local Nissan dealer the other day to get the shift knob tightened, and I mentioned that it didn't seem to be running as well. They plugged it in and said that the computer said the fuel and air was proper. Another thing I noticed just yesterday is that there is a large silver wire hanging down from near the front of the muffler. It hangs down about 8-12 inches. I am not sure what it is for? Does anyone else have a similar wire?

The other symptom is that the gas milage seems terrible. I have been babying the car so far, and I haven't gotten more than 25 miles/ gallon yet. On my current tank, I have 90 miles on it, and the gauge reads just a bit above half. It seems like I am on my way to a 200 to 220 mile tank. That would be closer to 20 mpg than 30 like I should be getting.

Anyhow.. sorry for the long post again, I have a habit of over-explaining myself.

Has anyone experienced a decline in power from the day they took delivery during their break-in period? Does this go away? Could it just be bad gas? I have put 93 octane everytime from the same Shell station. Any ideas?

Thanks everyone!

GB Phoenix77

[Mancini]

Feeling that your car has lost/gained power or gotten more raspy could partly be perception.

If you can't spin your tires anymore, it may not be a loss of power. It could be that your tires have scrubbed in and are now gripping better.

I sometimes feel like my car is more raspy on certain days, I'm not sure why.

[GB Phoenix77]

Hey thanks man, That is good advice.

I agree that it is most likely just perception.
I also never thought about the tires. Could be that the car is faster now because it is getting better traction, but if I was basing my perception of power on wheel spin, I would have the impression that it was slower.

The wire I mentioned was a ground wire from the muffler. Dealer fixed, but it had no effect.

I think I would still like to have my car Dynoed just to see real proof. I just don't know if I can find one in the Green Bay, WI area. If I ever do, I will post the results.

Take Care
GB Phoenix77

[MasterVTEC]

hey guys i just bought my 2003 honda civic SI, it had about 18 miles on it when i bought it. After 200 miles i babyed it! then i asked one my the mechanics at my work, when should i let it riP? and he said I could do it any time i want because the technology of today make the engine today way better. So i guess when the salesman said you dont have to baby it i would believe him if i were you. I work at a Honda dealership and when the Mechanic said let it rip i redlined it in all gears but 5th heh. (no room and dont want a ticket passed 110mph) the mechanic at my work has a 02 si and i have a 03 si, he red lined his car of the lot in all gears he said. and to this day its working fine, he took apart his engine to see if any thing was messed up like the o ring and he said every thing looks great.

Im talking about honda so... i dont know about your nissan, could be diff but im sure its all the same!

[Yellwaznboy]

a honda and a nissan are probably about the same, but better be safe than sorry. I was stupid to race my SE-R against an Eclipse on the second week I bought it, but I beat him lol.

[GB Phoenix77]

I can't beleive this thread came back to life after more than a year!!!

Funny to read my old comments though. I am almost positive I have an overactive knock sensor. I should really disconnect it. But, I just care way too much about the warranty to start messing with that stuff now.

Car acts the same today. I actually have gotten used to it now, and rather than being a let-down when it doesn't run smooth, it is now a fun surprise when it does.

I bet 1 day I could run around 15.2 and the next 16.2. It's crazy!

Oh well.. nuff said. Time to retire this really old thread.