Hey, guys. I just bought 2011 gt, and I'm wondering whether these new cars have a break-in period during which i shouldn't rev beyond 4000 rpms, or something like that. Thoughts? Thank you!!

 

I've bought over 20 new cars in my life, maybe even 25. I just drive 'em from day 1. Never had an issue...

 

The new motors these days are pretty much ready to go off the assembly line.

 

Drive it like you stole it!

 

Definitely do NOT baby it but then again, don't beat it. They can be redlined right off the assembly line but I'd give it a few hundred miles of mixed driving before I'd do that. I think I had less than 1000 miles on the odometer when I did my first sprint to 130 MPH, hitting close to the factory redline in 1st thru 3rd.

 

It's not just the engine that you're breaking in - transmissions and axle gears are also wearing in to each other, which takes time and generates extra heat.

The idea behind keeping your speed (and engine rpms) varied is so that the splash lubrication from oil and other lubes will not miss a few locations and let local hot spots develop. Lower speeds/rpms help avoid overheating the lube. Differential gears generate a LOT of heat the first couple of times that you drive even when everything is set up properly. I guarantee that you will not hold your hand on the diff cover after the first 50 miles of easy driving while breaking in brand new gears. Maybe not after letting it fully cool (as in overnight) and then doing the second 50 easy miles either.

Don't even think of beating on it until the engine is fully warmed up, even after you've got everything "broken in". Small parts like rings and pistons will always heat up much faster than big things like blocks, meaning that clearances will vary slightly as the engine goes from cold to hot. No sense making this difference in parts expansion any worse than necessary.

Fully warmed up and broken in - have at it.


Norm

 

I agree with Nuke here. Any motor I've had or built it's a good idea to run multiple heat cycles through it over at least a few hundred miles before taking up to redline/WOT. But, you don't want to baby it. Short drives at varied RPM's that get the engine fully up to temp is the best way.

 

This is really good advice...thanks guys! I've put 140 miles on the odometer, and only taken it to about 110 once. Hard acceleration to around 6000 rpms only twice, and then only after the temp needle was in the middle. I'm not going to take it to the track, but I was really itching tomsee the kind of acceleration this thing has, and when the cam lobes split at wot, the sound gives me goosebumps....I'll take it easy for the next hundred miles. Thanks again!