Break in period

[Felicia68]

Hey guys -

In your experience, what's a good break in period for my new car? Dealer recommended 1200 miles...thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Bimmerlife]

What do you mean?

 

[Big Daddy]

Do as the manual states. Vary your speeds, accelerate hard, then back off and accelerate easy, no patterns. After that drive her like she was meant to be driven!

 

[Felicia68]

Being gentle with your car for 1200 miles...letting it break in easily before really getting on it....

 

[Bimmerlife]

I got it now

1200 is definetly not enough. I suggest 5000 to 10000 miles.

 

[Felicia68]

Okay, I haven't read the manual yet since I just got her. However, I really got on her today but I was being taunted by some punk in his IS 300 for 3 lights. I sorta left him behind...

 

[Bimmerlife]

However engines are pretested in the factory, it is still good to keep the car uder 4000 RPM's at least for 5000 miles and drive it for long periods, Take a trip to west coast and back.

 

[dpnguyen]

The dealer got that straight out of the manual. It states 1200 miles drving as Big Daddy wrote. Don't go above 4500 RPM.

 

[Felicia68]

I got it now

1200 is definetly not enough. I suggest 5000 to 10000 miles.

Where did you get those numbers? There isn't a car on the road that requires that kind of break in period.

 

[Felicia68]

Well, I definitely broke the 4500 RPM rule today but I'll be better now. It's out of my system! lol!! But I knew better...

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[mscoins]

As long as you stay within the posted speed limits and keep the engine revs under 4000 or so for the first 1200 miles, you should be fine. Try to vary your speed as much as possible to give the drivetrain a good workout.

 

[Bimmerlife]

Eropean dealers and manuals suggest 10000 to 15000 km, and European Magazine Auto Motor and Sport proved this in they're automobile tests.

 

[codex57]

For us non-math people, how much is 10K-15K km in miles?

My dealer said 1200 miles, keep it under 4500rpm and under 90mph. And vary the revs as much as possible. Oh, and be gentle braking for the first 500 miles to break in the brakes. Slowly open it up after those numbers. By 2000 though, I think you should be able to truly "enjoy" your car.

 

[Bimmerlife]

It is around 6000 to 9000 miles.

 

[Krafty04]

Codex was the closest... At the factory they told me, under 4000 rpm's and under 100 mph. Vary your speed a little (don't use cruise) and after you hit 1200 miles .... I quote....."drive it as hard as you dare, you won't hurt anything"... unquote..

JK

 

[DrWho]

I asked specifically about this when I got my car recently and the dealer said that there's no need to follow any particular regimen. He said that the engines have already been extensively tested and just to drive as you would normally.

 

[Ghost]

Well, I definitely broke the 4500 RPM rule today but I'll be better now. It's out of my system! lol!!

I used to say the same thing, but it will never be out of your system- that's why you bought the 330ci manual.[driving2]

One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.

Chinese Proverb

 

[ThinkingBMW]

One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.

Ghost (in the machine?) great quote! Very, very true. Thanks.

 

[flashinthepan]

4000 rpms or less, variable speeds and 1200 miles...then your in !!!!!

Have some fun !!!! & congrats !!!

 

[salvo]

Hey Ghost...what, do you have a quote book always next to you?