Break In Period

[bigred1]

I'm doing everything by the book with my Ridge. My Pilot on the other hand is a lease so i drive it pretty hard. The Ridge is a keeper the Pilot is our "touring" vehicle / family vehicle. The Ridge is our "camping" vehicle and weekend trip vehicle.

[jd144]

It sure is a sign of the times that if somebody does not own something, he will treat it with disrespect. You see it with rentals, leases, etc. No respect for something that will one day belong to another.

I like my 10 day old RTL. I have already put zaino on the paint, and break it in the way I am told to by the manufacturer.

I guess I am becoming a fuddy duddy, actually taking off as one of the slow pokes from the light, and letting go of the gas as soon a I see the light has changed or is about to. People cut around me, and then end up waiting at the light, brakes worn out with poor gas mileage and increased emissions.

[dg8r]

Originally Posted by jd144

People cut around me, and then end up waiting at the light, brakes worn out with poor gas mileage and increased emissions.

You forgot to mention ulcers.

Go Gators!!!!!

[S1njin]

My drive to work is mostly highway. I try to keep my truck between 60 and 65 mph, but I'm worried that for the 20 mins or so I'm on the highway I can't really vary my speed more than that.

Am I doing the truck a disservice? I'm also not reving her hard at all, just light on the pedal and letting her move as she will.

[Ourfarm09]

Originally Posted by S1njin

My drive to work is mostly highway. I try to keep my truck between 60 and 65 mph, but I'm worried that for the 20 mins or so I'm on the highway I can't really vary my speed more than that.

Am I doing the truck a disservice? I'm also not reving her hard at all, just light on the pedal and letting her move as she will.

Race engine builders will tell you to drive the snot out of the first 500 miles. I have had 3 different brand new vehicles that I drove like I would everyday and all of them had over 180,000 miles when I got ride of them. None had engine trouble.
I had a 1985 Renault Encore that I bought new in Germany. The first 250 miles were all Autobahn at over 100 mph. I had the car 13 years and 195,000 miles on it when my wife , now ex, sold it when I was in Korea. It had a 1.7lt engine and got 38 to 42 mph, in the US. I got a lot less in Germany. In the 20's.

[AG87BlkLX]

I bought my first new car in 90, Mustang LX 5.0 Notch Back. Drove it of the lot & to my local drag strip. I raced that car every Friday & Saturday night for over 4 years & 150K plus miles. A lot of it's life was spent at redline & it never failed me. I don't worry about break in period & drive like i want to. I'm not buying a truck & waiting 600 miles to pull a trailer with it. I'll buy a car if I don't need to tow.

[interpon]

i agree with most comments here.. unless it says in owners manual.. drive it!. my RL has over 145000 and was a company car..(mine).. I beat the hell out of it and around 120000 bought it and drive much nicer!! no issues..

One note. a few years back i toured the accord plant.. i was amazed at the end of the line where they get on rollers and check final steering and light aiming.. the guy floors it and for about 20 seconds redlines it!!! each car has some slight smoke coming from engine.. it was strange.. I asked the guy there and he says it seats or prevents issues in the engine?? the other comment was Honda makes engines.. the cars are secondary..

[C25A1guy]

As long as the engine is warmed up, I wouldn't really worry too much about where in the RPM band you're in. Like interpon said, at the factory on final inspection, they're hard on the engine for a few moments (after the vehicle is at temperature). It helps to seat the rings in the cylinder. For the first 500 miles on mine, I just warmed her up, and drove her like how I drive any other of my vehicles, moderate to hard. At the end of 500 miles, I would change the oil and filter and some nice Torco SR-1 went straight into the crankcase.

[rollinhonda]

Good advice, warming an engine before getting on it is always important. Even on the coldest day, when I wait a minute or two at most, I still drive it easy until the gauge is at normal. The rest of the drivetrain needs to 'warm up ' also.

I take it easy the first 1000 miles or so. But I don't baby it either.

[speedlever]

Here's a link to a controversial break-in procedure:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I just can't bring myself to do it though.