Engine break-in period?

bmwnoy · 06-30-2009, 11:05 PM

How many milages does it take for an engine to fully break-in?

Also, will the gas milages increase afterward?

ybbiz34 · 06-30-2009, 11:12 PM

I don't know if you have tried this yet, but a quick search of the forum will most likely yield a plethora of information discussing break-in theories/beliefs/recommendations.

Some will suggest taking it easy for the first 1,200 miles or so, following any manufacturer-related break-in recommendations, while others will suggest a "hard" break-in that requires you to drive the car like you stole it.

I prefer the hard break-in method. If you go this route, just make sure you allow everything to warm up properly (including tires) before you start getting aggressive.

Welcome to the forum.

MrChessy · 06-30-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

I don't know if you have tried this yet, but a quick search of the forum will most likely yield a plethora of information discussing break-in theories/beliefs/recommendations.

Some will suggest taking it easy for the first 1,200 miles or so, following any manufacturer-related break-in recommendations, while others will suggest a "hard" break-in that requires you to drive the car like you stole it.

I prefer the hard break-in method. If you go this route, just make sure you allow everything to warm up properly (including tires) before you start getting aggressive.

Welcome to the forum.

+1

cbad335 · 07-01-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

I don't know if you have tried this yet, but a quick search of the forum will most likely yield a plethora of information discussing break-in theories/beliefs/recommendations.

Some will suggest taking it easy for the first 1,200 miles or so, following any manufacturer-related break-in recommendations, while others will suggest a "hard" break-in that requires you to drive the car like you stole it.

I prefer the hard break-in method. If you go this route, just make sure you allow everything to warm up properly (including tires) before you start getting aggressive.

Welcome to the forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrChessy

+1

I, on the other hand, suggest that you follow the break-in period instructions explicitly stated in your manual.

cali_guy · 07-01-2009, 02:25 AM

Drive it like you stole it!

ViperJPB · 07-01-2009, 02:34 AM

I followed the manuals break-in instructions and took the time to let the car warm up and down before starting and stopping. I let the cars rpms drop to 700 before putting her in gear. I officially passed break-in a few weeks ago and I'm glad I was patient. Been driving aggressive and in DS a lot ever since. Waiting to pass 2000 miles before doing in WOTs though.

persian54 · 07-01-2009, 03:58 AM

i shifted early, didnt floor it, and didnt go above 90 mph until i hit 1250 miles

manual says 1200, i say follow it

roozie2001 · 07-01-2009, 04:09 AM

drive it hard

ianthegreat · 07-01-2009, 08:44 AM

When you drive it off the lot -- it's broken in.

enrita · 07-01-2009, 08:53 AM

today's engine dont need brake in. just warm it up before pushing it.

shifterboy45 · 07-01-2009, 06:07 PM

its surprising how the comment differ on this subject.. maybe that is what the OP is asking.

i have built many engines in my time, rangiing from low horsepower 4cylinder to tire shredding big blocks and i have to say, a reasonable break-in period is OK .. but if your wondering if it necessary? -- the answer is NO..

will it make you feel better letting the engine temp warm up a bit, since most car manuf. say drive away after starting -- but will it be a deal-breaker? -- NO
************************************************** ********
note: these cars are not port injected engines which enrich the fuel mixture (cold start) at the intake port and are usually trying to overcome a "cold" lean condition, direct injection fires the fuel into the comb chamber with out mixing air and fuel (outside of the comb chamber). so the mix is a lil richer, the car seems to stumble just a bit .. and the exhaust sound a whole lot different -- louder cuz the secondary air pump is dropping a ton of outside air into exhaust system to warm up the cats. the exhaust flap closes off the exhaust pathway to one muffler, limiting the flow -- again, to let to catalysts to warm up quicker. letting the car warm up for 30-45secs couldnt hurt

************************************************** ********
varying the engines RPM range and putting the car under different load conditions may be good..

not trying warp speed blast @ wide open throttle in the first thousand or so miles may be good ..

letting the engine have a short cool down period prior to shutting the car off .. well, it could help dissipate heat and allow the block to cure properly (see that its a new casting that gone through a few test bench runs at the engine assembly facility) couldnt hurt. is it required? --NO

but the fact remains -- you can drive it like you stole it -- or treat gingerly and never see the cars true potential ... its been my experience that you car is not going to feel "real good" for probably 5-6km --

i'd go with your gut feeling -- whatever that may be

HighVoltage · 07-01-2009, 06:13 PM

I agree. Once the rings seal it doesnt really matter...

06-30-2009, 11:05 PM	#1
bmwnoy Private 12 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe, 335i Sedan Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (0)	Engine break-in period? How many milages does it take for an engine to fully break-in? Also, will the gas milages increase afterward?
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06-30-2009, 11:12 PM	#2
ybbiz34 Brigadier General 724 Rep 4,959 Posts Drives: 2023 330i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	I don't know if you have tried this yet, but a quick search of the forum will most likely yield a plethora of information discussing break-in theories/beliefs/recommendations. Some will suggest taking it easy for the first 1,200 miles or so, following any manufacturer-related break-in recommendations, while others will suggest a "hard" break-in that requires you to drive the car like you stole it. I prefer the hard break-in method. If you go this route, just make sure you allow everything to warm up properly (including tires) before you start getting aggressive. Welcome to the forum. __________________ Current: '23 G20 M Sport 330i Current: '20 X253 GLC300 SUV Gone: '20 W205 C43 Sedan Gone: '18 W205 C43 Sedan Gone: '13 W204 C63 Sedan
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07-01-2009, 02:25 AM	#5
cali_guy First Lieutenant 20 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 17 MW M4 DCT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Socal iTrader: (2)	Drive it like you stole it!
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07-01-2009, 02:34 AM	#6
ViperJPB Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 283 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fresno, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 E90 335i [0.00]	I followed the manuals break-in instructions and took the time to let the car warm up and down before starting and stopping. I let the cars rpms drop to 700 before putting her in gear. I officially passed break-in a few weeks ago and I'm glad I was patient. Been driving aggressive and in DS a lot ever since. Waiting to pass 2000 miles before doing in WOTs though. __________________ 2009 E90 335i 6AT / Procede / Vishnu DCI / Space Gray / Oyster Dakota Leather / Light Burl Walnut / / Sport, Premium, Cold Weather Pkg / Paddle Shifters / iDrive / Logic 7 / Park Distance / Comfort Access / iPhone Port/
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07-01-2009, 03:58 AM	#7
persian54 Lieutenant General 1012 Rep 15,815 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	i shifted early, didnt floor it, and didnt go above 90 mph until i hit 1250 miles manual says 1200, i say follow it
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07-01-2009, 04:09 AM	#8
roozie2001 Just some guy 52 Rep 1,531 Posts Drives: 2008 White 335i sedan Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	drive it hard __________________ 2008 BMW 335i/Sedan/Alpine White/Terra/Steptronic/Premium Package/Sports package/Comfort Access/USB/Sirius
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07-01-2009, 08:44 AM	#9
ianthegreat Colonel 66 Rep 2,314 Posts Drives: n54 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh/Houston iTrader: (1)	When you drive it off the lot -- it's broken in.
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07-01-2009, 08:53 AM	#10
enrita Major General 163 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: 335i - Big turbos Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Italian in Sweden iTrader: (0)	today's engine dont need brake in. just warm it up before pushing it. __________________ 07 335i AT - MOTIV 750 - MHD E85 BMS flash - BMS PI - JB4G5 - Okada Coils - NGK 5992 Plugs - Helix IC - Snow Stg. 3 - Stett CP - Custom midpipes with 100 HJS Cats - Bastuck Quad - PSS10 - QUAIFE LSD - BMS OCC - Forge DVs - AR OC - ALCON BBK - M3 Chassi - Dinan CP - Velocity M rear Toe arms - Advan RZ-DF - LUX H8 - Level 10 AT upgrade
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07-01-2009, 06:07 PM	#11
shifterboy45 Major 23 Rep 1,179 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North by Northwest iTrader: (0)	its surprising how the comment differ on this subject.. maybe that is what the OP is asking. i have built many engines in my time, rangiing from low horsepower 4cylinder to tire shredding big blocks and i have to say, a reasonable break-in period is OK .. but if your wondering if it necessary? -- the answer is NO.. will it make you feel better letting the engine temp warm up a bit, since most car manuf. say drive away after starting -- but will it be a deal-breaker? -- NO ************************************************ **** note: these cars are not port injected engines which enrich the fuel mixture (cold start) at the intake port and are usually trying to overcome a "cold" lean condition, direct injection fires the fuel into the comb chamber with out mixing air and fuel (outside of the comb chamber). so the mix is a lil richer, the car seems to stumble just a bit .. and the exhaust sound a whole lot different -- louder cuz the secondary air pump is dropping a ton of outside air into exhaust system to warm up the cats. the exhaust flap closes off the exhaust pathway to one muffler, limiting the flow -- again, to let to catalysts to warm up quicker. letting the car warm up for 30-45secs couldnt hurt ********************************************** ****** varying the engines RPM range and putting the car under different load conditions may be good.. not trying warp speed blast @ wide open throttle in the first thousand or so miles may be good .. letting the engine have a short cool down period prior to shutting the car off .. well, it could help dissipate heat and allow the block to cure properly (see that its a new casting that gone through a few test bench runs at the engine assembly facility) couldnt hurt. is it required? --NO but the fact remains -- you can drive it like you stole it -- or treat gingerly and never see the cars true potential ... its been my experience that you car is not going to feel "real good" for probably 5-6km -- i'd go with your gut feeling -- whatever that may be
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07-01-2009, 06:13 PM	#12
HighVoltage . 42 Rep 867 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: . iTrader: (0)	I agree. Once the rings seal it doesnt really matter... __________________ Not only will it kill you it will hurt the whole time while you're dying. http://www.stevesnovasite.com/ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/ http://www.garagejournal.com/
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