Getting The Most Out Of Your New Engine
New engines still need break in periods, despite many myths suggesting otherwise. Without a proper break in period, you may significantly reduce the life expectancy of your engine, fuel consumption as well as increasing overall component failure potential. In this article we'll dive into some best practices, common myths and how you can get the most out of your new vehicle.
MYTH: New Engines Don't Require a Break-In Period.
FACT: The first 800km are critical to ensuring your vehicles dependability.
Your brand new vehicle is an exciting experience, but the first 800km (500mi) are critical for determining your engines dependability. These initial kilometres are where your piston rings are meshing, factory lubricants are burning off, crankshaft bushings are breaking in and so much more, all in thousandths-of-an-inch increments. Some ways to make this process the most effective and best for your engine include;
- Varying speed and RPM avoid driving at one set speed for long periods of time, or hovering around the same RPM your entire trip. This can typically be achieved by avoiding the use of cruise control for your initial break in
- Avoid high RPM Best practice is to keep gasoline engines below 4000 RPM and diesel engines below 3000 RPM during this initial break in period. High RPM typically contributes to higher engine temperatures and more violent combustion cycles which can cause uneven initial wear.
- Do not Tow during the initial break-in period, as your transmission, engine and all connecting driveline components are meshing together. Towing can greatly increase stress on driveline components, especially during the break-in.
- Gentle braking to give the pads and rotors a chance to brake-in, as well as as allowing the lines a chance to go through several cycles and adapt to the constant pressures experienced while braking on day to day driving.
Vary speed and RPM
Avoid Towing
Avoid High RPM
OIL MAINTENANCE
While most new vehicles have remarkably long oil change intervals, it is strongly encouraged to get your oil changed at your first 1000km and ideally a second oil change 1000km after that. These two oil changes with shorter intervals are designed to remove any small metal shavings that could be present as a result of this break-in period. As metal bushings, seals and the many moving components mesh together the result is micro-fine metal shavings flaking off into your engines internals, typically caught by the oil. Your engines oil filter will do a great job collecting even the smallest metal fragments, but early oil changes will help reduce the stress and potential for damage in these early stages.
Once your break-in period is over, it is strongly encouraged to get your oil changed every 5000km or at least once per season despite the ability to travel with further intervals. While modern engine technology and synthetic oil properties have improved greatly, oil still brakes down over time. With some vehicles having 10-12,000km oil change intervals, many drivers face the potential for oil to break down in their engine before reaching the interval distance recommended by the manufacturer. Another large concern comes in the form of silica dust, a fine sand like dust which commonly becomes airborne along roadways, particularly bad for those in or near construction sites, beaches, or agricultural centres. This dust gets in through your engines air intake and can act like liquid sandpaper as it travels through your engines oil system. Early oil change intervals can significantly reduce the wear potential from air born particles getting into your engine.
Beyond The Engine
Beyond the engine your vehicle needs roughly 6400km to fully break-in. That's your mechanical, fluid driven and electrical systems meshing and breaking-in to the exact way you drive. Within this first 6400km, you typically see the greatest impact to your fuel MAP which indicates fuel mileage/consumption as well as your long term engine and transmission life expectancy.
If you follow these tips and service advice you should see great results and drastically improve the life span of your driveline and overall vehicle owning experience. At the end of the day, should the worst happen, we've got an expert certified service team that's here to keep you rolling with confidence as well as warranties built to take the stress away.
Ensure you are following your owners manual as some vehicles (such as the Corvette) may require a longer brake-in period with more strict conditions and recommendations. Furthermore, it is critical to ensure you're not missing service intervals at any point in your vehicle ownership. Most costly repairs are 100% avoidable by following scheduled service and maintenance recommendations.
FAQ
What does a check engine light mean? - A check engine light will come on when the vehicles computer senses an issue in mechanical, ignition, fuel or emission systems. Recommend bringing your vehicle to our shop as soon as possible.
What does a flashing check engine light mean? - Critical engine warning, pull over and bring your car to the shop immediately. DO NOT continue driving or allowing engine to run as catastrophic failure may result.
How often should I change my oil? - We strongly recommend an oil change every 3000km for conventional oil and 5000km for synthetic or once per season at least if kilometres aren't achieved. Oil can break down over time even sitting and dust and debris can slowly accumulate inside your engine. Early oil changes will drastically improve the long term health of your engine.
How do I know what oil my car needs? - Oil weight can be found inside your owners manual under the maintenance section, as well as how much oil you will need to put in. Required oil weight can often be found on the oil cap atop your engine (the fill port cap) oil weight will be represented as (ex.) 5W10 10W30, 0W20, etc... The oil weight represents its viscosity in different conditions, the right viscosity is critical for maintaining its lubricating and protecting properties in fine clearance and high energy spaces.
MYTH: New engines don't need a brake-in FACT: New engines need at least 800km for primary brake-in and recommended 6400km for total brake in. Performance models may recommend more.
MYTH: Oil weights can be interchanged with no effect FACT: Using the wrong oil weight may not provide the correct cooling and lubricating properties your engine needs, particularly in engines with tighter tolerances.