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eddie_orlando
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2004
11:15:50
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 Subject: break in period?
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is there a set rule of thumb for breaking in a new vehicle, I ordered a Hemi Durango and have read many things about the initial breaking in of a vehicle: brakes need "set" by braking hard, don't go over 70 mph or so for the first few hundred miles, 1st oil change at like a 1000 miles, no hard accelerations from a stop for the first few hundred miles, etc. Help!
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woody
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2004
11:56:42
|  RE: break in period?
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Hey eddie,
I have always been told to take it easy the first 500 to 1000 miles. I am not sure about the 70mph thing because when I got my 4.7 Dakota new, the first thing I did was to take it on a long trip about 800 miles and I went over 70mph most of the time. I now have 53,000 miles and it does not use a drop of oil and runs better than ever. My engine is overhead cam, so it may be a little different for the Hemi.
Also depending on your opinion, you may want to change over to synthetic oil after a few thousand miles (maybe around 5,000 or higher), but that is up to you. I decided to wait until around 40,000 miles due to the higher cost. (avg oil=$1.20 per qt; Mobil 1 synthetic oil = $4.80 per qt)
Also about the hard braking: At least in the last few years, Dodge has had a problem with their brakes warping easily, so I would not purposely be hard on the them.
Have fun with your new Mopar
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eddie_orlando
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2004
13:57:45
| RE: break in period?
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Thanks for the tips. I have had two Dakotas and this will be my first SUV. I hear ya about the synthetics, kind of pricey but worth it from what I hear.
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2004
15:23:18
| RE: break in period?
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i was told by a dealer,how your going to drive.
if you drive 100mph than drive it that way and if you drive 40mph than drive it that way.
engine shops around here say to give it short fill throttle blast close to red line once in awhile for the first 300 miles,than change the oil,and put it on the drag strip if thats what you bought it for.
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Mark
Forum Moderator
1/06/2004
18:08:10
| RE: break in period?
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I have been using synthetic oil in my engine for the past 80k miles. It costs more but I will tell you that the engine runs as good now with 120k miles as it did with 30k miles.
-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
Mark.DodgeDakotas.com
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jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2004
20:45:59
|  RE: break in period?
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Here is a cut and paste from an old post here by a guy named "sandman". He is arguing a point about synthetic oil but also answers your question I think. His english is a little rough(I think he is from Germany,but now lives in N.D.?)but he knows what he is talking about.
Message:
So Darryl then what you are saying is that GM, Porsche,Mercedes,BMW,Lexus,Dodge are all idiots for releases more and more Chiles with synthetic oil and either semi-synthetic of fully synthetic trany fluids and diff fluids???? I guess that these cars, trucks and sports cars will never break in? What were they thinking???? A modern engine is vastly different in it's materials and slight nuances then engines built just 5-10 years ago!!! IF your new engine not a rebuild is not broke in by 600-1000 miles it was machined by monkeys and designed by dinosaurs!!! If you took an engine from 10 years ago and drove it home at 70-80 mph for 1 hour road strip right off the lot you would end up with a smoking oil burning engine before warranty was now you can drive them off the lot like you just stole it with out any damage. The owners manual for my Dodge basically recommended accelerating hard and driving normally to break it in. In the 1980 you had to vary speed every 15 minutes, could not exceed 55mph for the first 500 miles, had to lock the hubs in for the first 500 miles, had to change oil at 500 miles and it was advised not to tow anything or drive for more then 45 minutes without stoping and the list went on and on and on. All of these crazy break in requirements are gone... If you change your oil and filter at 1000 you will be fine. Personally I have always done it between 600-1000. If it that big of a deal do a wet compression test and dry compression test of each cylinder new. Then do it at 1000 and if the rings have seated you will know. The accelerated debris should be finished by 600-1000 miles as well. If your engine is still producing huge wear particles beyond this point you have serious problems with the engine!!! Even if cylinder wear was reduced by 50% with a good synthetic your engine still wears so it will have no choice but to break in regardless of oil used.
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news flash
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2004
20:57:02
| RE: break in period?
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Read the owners manual, anything else is horsey puck.
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YAAAABUDDY03
Dodge Dakota
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1/10/2004
23:41:08
| RE: break in period?
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I was told nothing over 50, and I stuck to it. I was also said nothing over 2500 rpm's... stuck to that as well. I ran till about 2500 miles before I romped on it. Trust me, it was the hardest month and a half I've ever lived.
2003 cc 4.7L 5spd Graphite LSD flows K&N jlaudio system.
Paul
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Matt03Dak
Dodge Dakota
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1/11/2004
10:17:34
| RE: break in period?
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Jeremiah 2360:
There is another way of looking at why break in requirements are different now. Consider that the overwhelming majority of cars and trucks sold now are leased. If people are turning in vehicles in 3 or 4 years, what will it matter if the piston rings don't bed in to the cylinder walls properly? Ask any mechanic, and they will tell you that a vehicle that is abused early will use oil at the 30 to 40 thousand mile range, and continue to do so for the remainder of it's life. Not a large amount, but it will burn oil. Every vehicle I have owned, including motorcycles, has had it's oil changed at 500 to 1000 miles into it's life. Why?
While the piston rings are seating into the cylinder wall, raw fuel tends to get past the top ring and get into the oil. I just changed the oil for the first time on my new Dakota, and the oil smelled like gasoline. That's called dilution, and besides not helping the oil lubricate, it accelerates the formation of acids in the oil. The acids are a normal by product of combustion, and are the chief reason why oil needs to be changed. Think about it: What makes oil get 'dirty'? It isn't dirt, it's the additive package in the oil being overcome by combustion byproducts. The oil's natural alkylin ity and dispersant ingredients can no longer neutralize the stuff. If an engine is loaded too hard too often early in it's life, the piston rings won't seat properly. And poor combustion sealing, and oil burning results.
None of this matters in a racing applications, but if you want an engine that will be healthy for a long time, don't drive it like you "stole it" right off the lot. Don't idle around, but don't play Winston Cup driver at every opportunity, either.
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
1/11/2004
11:17:17
| Amsoil = www.american-synthetic-oil.com & break in
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Matt03Dak,
I second your comments. Today --- most engines are "broken-in" on a test stand at the factory. Basically, they are ready to go into normal service right out of the dealership. This being said --- this is just the engine, and I think the other drivetrain components should be given a "break-in" period to improve overall performance and for longevity.
I usually hear --- my cousin and bro-in-law own Dodge Dealerships --- that you should simply vary your driving habits during the first 500 miles --- drive at 40 mph for a distance - then at 50 mph - then at 60mph - back to 40 mph - and then 70 mph - but if you are a "hard driver" to not run it hard until you reach approximately 1000 miles. This is not an official statement --- please refer to your Owners Manual.
__________________________________________________
Now I will add my comments about "break-in" periods using Synthetic Lubricants.
Many new vehicles com "factory fill" with synthetic oils and lubricants. If your vehicle comes with conventional petroleum oil (dino), it is recommended that you operate the vehicle to its first drain interval before switching to synthetics.
New engines may generate high wear metals to begin with and may contain debris from machining and assembly. It is more beneficial to allow these wear metals to collect in an inexpensive motor oil than to circulate throughout the crankcase for extended periods in a synthetic motor oil. By operating the vehicle to its first drain interval with a petroleum oil, these wear metals and manufacturing debris collect in the oil and are then flushed out of the crankcase when drained. This allows for a much cleaner operating environment for the synthetic lubricant.
__________________________________________________
To request a FREE Amsoil Catalog click the following link.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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eddie_orlando
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2004
08:38:39
|  RE: break in period?
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Thanks guys for your input!! I will heed your warnings and play it safe!!
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Scottyboy
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2004
20:03:27
| RE: break in period?
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It is my impression that the most important aspect to break in these days is slowly increasing the heat cycle of components, in other words, drive it for increasingly longer periods, then park it until it cools. This is why used blocks are often preferred by engine builders-they are considered "seasoned", and do not need the heat cycle care when run-in. Most modern engines are fairly well assembled, but why not do it right the first time? Even if you dont own the truck for very long, the next owner will think kindly of you.
My incredibly underpowered 1990 Clubcab 5 speed served me well for 150,000 miles, and the present owner hit 225,000. The heads have never been off this engine (yeah, it smokes a lot on startup, but burns little oil - Mobil one since new.)
01 silver CC Sport plus, 4.7 manual w/hurst, 3.55 SG, R/T suspension with Tokico Trekmaster R/T shocks, Borla catback, shaved decals, Blackmax tonneau.
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PM
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2004
21:53:51
| RE: break in period?
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Heck --- i learned from my uncle. petal to the
metal right off the lot. drive it first day
like you gonna drive it every day.
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Read Me
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2004
22:49:01
| RE: break in period?
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Lots of antiquated theories have been posted, they were good back when Elvis was king, but times have changed as has metallurgy and machining capabilities. Read this, I've used this method on my last 3 motorcycles, the wife's Acura TL and the R/T. http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
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