Tips & Tricks

Break-in of a New Or Overhauled Engine

A new engine’s lifetime and the quality of its further work are often predetermined by the driver himself during a break-in period.

There is a belief that modern internal combustion engines do not need break-in (mechanical run-in) due to their higher quality of assembly, fitting, and tuning.

Yes, you can do without break-in, and the engine will function pretty well for some time, at least, during the warranty period.

Nevertheless, to prolong engine life, in particular, to avoid premature wear of the cylinder-piston group, the owner of a new car should break in the engine after the purchase, especially since new engines are not always run in at factories except for a possible ‘cold break-in’. The internal combustion engine after an overhaul also needs breaking in.

Please note that even a new, but incorrectly run-in engine may lose some power and throttle response, consume more oil and fuel, etc. Further problems will progress more intensively eventually shortening the engine life.

When making an engine break-in, the driver should follow specific driving guidelines during the first few hours of use, with a focus on the contact between piston rings and a cylinder wall.

The time for breaking in differs by manufacturer. It is recommended to avoid high rpm in the first 1,000-1,500 miles, and develop a maximum of 3,500 rpm for diesel engines, and 4,500 rpm for gasoline ones.

Run-in helps improve fuel economy, performance, and long-term engine health.

Break-in Techniques

 There are six basic tips to break in the engine:

1. Don’t push the engine to the red line in the first one thousand miles. Gaining up to 4,000 rpm is safe in the first 1,000 miles, and afterward, you can gradually increase rpm with no negative effects.

2. Change gear at a low rpm to give time to the engine and transmission to adjust to each other with no risk of unnecessary wear and tear and safe for fuel economy.

A ‘change up/change down’ function in many cars will prompt you when to optimally change gear at a safe rpm within the first 1,000 miles.

3. You needn’t floor the accelerator in the first 1,000 miles to ensure smooth engine performance and the transmission bed in. Speed up gently and work through gears fast before the rpm become too high.

4. Avoid short trips as they don’t let the engine normally warm up.

Cold engines have to work harder and with more load on the oil delivery cycle. So, drive longer trips on your new vehicle to allow the engine to warm through.

After you’ve driven a large distance, change your running to a gentle pace before reaching your destination to allow the engine to cool rather than stop a hard way.

5. Don’t tow heavy cargo! As a new engine needs time to adjust, tow heavy loads only after 1,000 miles. Towing puts added strain on engines and can be damaging to new vehicles.

6. To maximize safety, adjust your driving style accordingly. Cars don’t handle well when they are just from the assembly line, and the components (engine, tires, suspension, brakes) need time to bed in.

Tires from the factory are covered with a lubricant and they don’t enable enough level of grip at least for the first 200 miles.

Shock absorbers and springs are usually able to bed in after 1,000 miles. Pads and brake discs also need time to work together and develop friction spots, etc.

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