Hey guys I'm getting my new Mustang GT on Friday (6/16/06) and have a question regarding the proper break in procedure. The car has only 12 miles and I've heard both arguements on breaking in the car, from babying it to running it hard out of the lot. My plan was to take it easy untill about 150 miles and gradually get on it harder every 50 miles or so untill 500 miles. Is there a flaw in this plan? Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to being part of the Mustang community.

P.S I tried running a search but not much came up.

 

BlkonBlk,
Welcome to the community, I think you'll find we're a pretty good family....

I've read everything on this subject, from full thrash, to baby it for 1200. My opinion, (and it's just an opinion, mind you) is that you should give all the parts a chance to work themselves in. Every part on your car is part of a system, therefore it needs some time for seals to seat, bearings to come to temp, and all the working parts to find their "sweet spot".

If all that doesn't work, thrash it....!!!

UB10

 

Why not just drive it like a normal car for a while?

 

vary the rpms as much as possible during the
early break in period.

 

Isn't there something in the manual about a break in period? I can't remember and i don't have it handy to check.

 

Ask the dealer about breakin. I'd advise you to drive it like a normal car while you own it. JMO, if you do great, if you don't and want to drive it like a race car also great. We can always use wrecked late model Mustangs to pull parts from for our own repairs.

 

Drive normally for the first 600 miles. Change the oil and filter. Drive normally until 3000 miles, change the oil and filter. Drive normally until 5000 miles change motor oil/filter to a good synthetic, and change the rear end fluid to a good synthetic. The car is broken-in - drive as you like.

 

Baby it until it is up to normal operating temperature.

Then for the first 500 miles, keep the tachometer moving, even if you have to change gears while driving at a set speed.

After the first 100 miles, start doing some nearly WOT takeoffs--but only after it is warm. This will seat the rings and start building compression.

Leave the oil in the car until 3000 miles and then change it with a new filter.

Everyone I have done this too has never used a drop of oil, between oil changes and I have done 8 of'em since 1986.

Expect the engine to be fully broken in by 12,000 miles!

Everyone now says you don't have to break them in, but I sorta disagree!

Thx,

Mike

 

Drive the f8cker wide open.

 

The cars built now are built with much tighter tolerances than before. The need for an elaberate break in isn't as important as it used to be. Just use common sence. Keep the the speeds varying for the first 1000 miles or so and you'll be fine. Even a few wot runs aren't going to hurt you. I always like to change my oil after 1000 miles to get rid of the shavings, etc. but that's just me.