On Cars - Your Email: Why new car break-in is still a must

[@pjay1281]

After listening to Brian Cooley,I feel like an expert in the automotive industry.

[@soukkhanhsila134]

No one has ever broken into my engine before.

[@AnsrMax]

Before what ?????

[@soukkhanhsila134]

@@AnsrMax it got possessed by a transformer.

[@Legen5d]

Cooley just do your own KZbin channel!!

[@idib1739]

Yeah like Brian Tong. It would be great!

[@dbrandon4528]

Thank you so much for adding the changing of the oil after the break in period. The Toyota dealership told me that I don’t have to change the oil at 1000 miles on our new car and I said yes I do. Same with my Jeep Turbo. I checked the oil filter after the change on the Jeep after 900miles and it was full of visible metallic material. Second oil change nothing. On some very high performance cars the engines are dyno and chassis dynod prior to delivery to the dealership but normal cars aren’t. Great video!

[@WowRixter]

Excellent as always Brian. Just got a new 2021 RAV4 and was looking for validation on the first oil change. I trust your recommendation

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

I believe my service manual says to have an oil change after the engine brake in period. This is in my 09 C300. That enforces what Cooley said about changing your engine oil after the break-in. With that being said, some cars will have stickers on the windshield about break-ins. And it is a good idea to read the owner's manual.

[@marottajoe]

Oil change during break in may not be a good idea depending on the manufacturer. I believe Honda and perhaps others have a specific oil which conditions the engine to ensure proper break in and "seating".

[@eamonkelly9007]

When I bought my '14 Accord new, the service department told me not to change it for 5000 miles because of the special additives in the factory oil.

[@carlovanrijk4039]

I was told by the Honda dealership service dept. to just go the normal interval according to the Oil Life Monitoring system, and not to “hot-rod” it. Being that I drive a lot of highway miles, that monitor’s warning percentage would’ve been down to 15% at around the 9K mile mark. I went ahead and changed it at 5K miles. I wanted to get any straggler metal out of it early enough.

[@dknight211]

So what you're saying is don't buy a used car that has been sent to journalists as press test cars? All that 0-60, braking, slalom, and rev testing can't be good.

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

You can say that about buying used cars.

[@soccerz64]

BMW M3 still requires an oil change after 1,200 break in.

[@burninggas7715]

You have to drive your new Car as normal as you will drive every day. Just dont baby it, exellarate and brake as you will commute from A to B as usual, and you will No issues at all, because your new car will Adapt on your driving Style. Easy as that :)

[@mikeschafer2474]

All great advice. I’m currently breaking in my 2018 Ford which requires a1000 mile break in. NoTowing, hard stops, no fast acceleration or high speed runs and you’re supposed to very the speed and I too am going to change my oil around 1000 miles thanks again!

[@edweagle]

I would check on your theory of changing the oil when the break in ends. Last I heard there is special chemicals in the oil from the factory to aid in breaking in the engine and should be left in as the manufacturer recommends.

[@Mapavia89]

I like your last point about the early oil change and your the only one I’ve heard say that... there was one guy I saw on a Toyota form say that he changes his first oil and gear oils half of a full interval. Makes sense from what you said.

[@Mike-dd8bd]

I feel like if break in was really needed the car would have a RPM limiter until you hit a certain RPM. Plus people are flooring brand new cars on test drives all the time, pretty common thing.

[@ourv9603]

One of the biggest parts of engine breakin is expansion & contraction. Warm the new engine up to op temp then let it cool to ambient temp which will take ablout 5 hours. Do it as often as you can. Toyotas owners manuals say the engine breakin period is 761 miles. So, I would do the first oil change at 800 or 1000 to flush all the extra metal out of the engine caused by all the tight new parts wearing in OR breakin. !

[@MarcRebilletClips]

Mercedes AMG Line recommends 1,000mi Break-In, and at 2k miles a rear differential oil swap.

[@john_gyver]

Great video. But what if I buy a car from someone who didn't follow these rules? (I guess there is no way to check if he did it.) What kind of engine malfunction should I expect? What's the most common?

[@SAMEPICStories]

I am requesting that you do a review on Range Rover 2018 Autobiography or the PHEV. Most of the Reviews I have seen on KZbin are not good enough. Yours is always detailed, clean with sharp clips. It is easy to understand and helps me understand the product better. PLEASE DO A REVIEW OF THE LATEST RANG ROVER 2018 Autobiography or the PHEV. If you could do the 2, that would be extremely awesome.

[@jitendershergill9884]

I bought new Elantra 2021 and had no idea about engine break-in 🤦‍♂️, hope I didn’t damage anything while flooring🙂

[@SteveHubbardGuitar]

I have a brand new Civic, and there is no mention of a "break-in period" in the manual, nor was I warned this by the dealership. I have a hard time believing this is necessary on regular consumer vehicles.

[@timcook4552]

I didn't know that there are so many things I had to do during the break in. It's a headache. I feel bad that I didn't break in properly because no one told me about it until it was too late.

[@user-bi2me1kj7p]

Curious? what are the outcomes of a car that wasn’t broken in properly. Short term and long term if you know?

[@davidperry4013]

Break in is recommended for getting a remanufactured engine, or doing repairs that involves pistons, valves, piston rings, or cylinder walls.

[@Goshengirl1947]

I just brought a new Honda Fit 30 miles from home. I got to my development and it started making clicking sounds and grinding sounds. I had my neighbor drive it and he heard it, too. It was loud enough. Texted dealer and he said it could make those noises during the break in period and I should just keep driving it. Is that true? I paid cash and now I am worried I will have no way to make them take it back if it is defective.

[@TheFourthWinchester]

I got a Suzuki and they told not to change the oil until the regular service because it has some needed additives in it.

[@lowlow643]

Cooley everyday please

[@jatznitz]

Hi Cooley, Do start stop systems fitted to new engines need to be turned off or does anything need to be taken account of regarding that system during the break in period? Older cars never had start stop systems so just wondering whether this makes and difference nowadays

[@clashingwithwhitewalker4405]

I have the same question

[@SAMEPICStories]

Also consider doing a REVIEW ON GLE 63s Coupe 2018

[@UR_AL_SHOOK_UP_21]

I did burnout and donuts between 220-380 so around 150 total miles of just beating on it now im at 450 and im taking it easy u think my car will be fine ..i always felt beat on a little bit after 200 miles then around 400 take it easy tell 1k but idk

[@philtripe]

i do one tank of fuel...drive around town only or an exit or two...let it fully heat up and cool down between trips when possible ...change the oil and go...ive done a dozen bike engines and two truck motors

[@gatosmaster6702]

Best way to break in a new engine is to redline it all the way out of the dealership and then redlining it again after every stop light

[@MarcRebilletClips]

Lol

[@MarcRebilletClips]

Don’t do this

[@europana7]

But it's should be good, it's under warranty :)

[@aexiong1190]

This usually only applies to people who buy brand new and plan to keep it for a long time. Anyone who leases probably doesn't give two sh*t's about proper break in. Being a car enthusiasts, I find it extremely selfish but then again, all most people care about now-a-days is getting from point A to point B and that's it. U put gas in the car and step on the gas pedal. If it goes then nothing else needs to be done. We need more channels like these to educate more people about cars. In many ways than one, they are much more than just a way to commute. In fact, there are loyal communities that follow cars. Just my 02 cents.

[@pilotavery]

No no no! There are special brass additives for the break in oil that MUST be there until the first oil change interval.

[@hman1]

Converted to a ThinkPad, Cooley?

[@steveurbach3093]

Another old school rule of thumb: A slow (all city driving) break in equals a slow car. Balance the Highway and City driving (lean towards that Hwy). and ALWAYS vary those revs

[@Night_Diver81]

"Scotty P!"

[@lordduo034]

That new elantra leaves A LOT to be desired exterior wise. Current body is the nicest.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

You state how you should not apply hard braking while breaking in new brakes. This goes completely opposite of what brake manufacturers say in how to bed-in new brakes. There's many videos on how to do this. Check em out.

[@Bristecom]

I think he means don't slam on brakes and activate ABS and such. To properly bed in, you want to do like 4-6 consecutive hard braking from around 60 down to around 5 mph without activating ABS, and then let it cool down after.

[@SeenaTabatabai]

I didnt know I need to break in I drove fast here and there Im at 383 Im gonna wait untill I drive fast now untill 1000 miles I hope I didnt screw up.

[@CarsCloseBy1]

BMW M cars say that, engine and diff oil change after break-in period

[@UR_AL_SHOOK_UP]

What happens if u already went fast

[@niacal4nia]

New clutch need braking-in too.

[@Bayley4ever]

i was told by the salesman on the Nissan Sentra that. The break in period is 400 miles. Don't race Mustangs. LOL.

[@MrChevybaja]

my chevy volt broke its engine in itself. I think.

[@wilhelmZ2000]

Am I the only one who thinks the manufacturer should already have the engine broken in before delivery?

[@lostonroad]

Only Corvette does that for few models. Rest all expect you to do it.

[@rodneyjhackenflash4865]

Break-in, yes or no? It couldn't hurt.

[@BTC909]

If you have a lease you probably don't care. Take it easy for the first 1000 miles. None of this "lets see what this baby can do BS". Don't tow. For most vehicles it's probably 3 tanks of gas to get to 1K. Change the oil / filter @ 1000 even if you have "free oil changes" just pay for this oil / filter change yourself. Always run a Full Synthetic. Unless you lookup the manufacture date you have no clue how old the oil is in your vehicle. My wife leased a '18 RAV4 Hybrid. It was manufactured 9/17, leased 3/18.

[@Dalamain]

cooooooley! - please just let cooley review the good stuff, ///M, RS, AMG... leave the soccer mom suv's to the other presenters. Thanks!

[@user-cl3gz9ey1w]

ٰthank you

[@FryChicken]

What about people that swear by breaking in engines by gunning them?

[@JaySee5]

For brakes, you're supposed to hard stop, but not full stop to break-in the pads. Your advice is wrong.

[@idib1739]

Another argument for the superiority of the electric powertrain

[@davidgiles9751]

Please don't mistake my comment here - as I'm an EV fan. However, ICE's still have a huge advantage due to an EV's higher purchase price, generally more limited range, longer "refuel" times, limited infrastructure support (gas station on every street corner), and definitely more limited choices in types of vehicles. Having said that, every year there are improvements to all factors with EVs, and it's just a matter of time before they will make more sense for most people in nearly every category over conventional ICE powered vehicles.

[@Lucky8s]

@@davidgiles9751 Let's also not forget about faster tire wear on EVs due to their significantly higher weight compared to another vehicle of similar size and dimensions, and the higher amount of torque provided at 0 mph/kmh. Tesla's creep and option to smooth out power output definitely help with number 2.

[@idib1739]

@@davidgiles9751 indeed you're right. Also my comment is only valid for cars. Boats especially the cargo type and planes will likely not see (full) electrification before a very very long time if ever.

[@adamc2378]

Not to mention the environmental impact of EVs are just as bad, if not worse than ICEs.

[@KarmaticEvolution]

Adam C what studies have you found that conclusion from? I know I’d much rather not breathe all the exhausts from ICE vehicles given the choice.

[@frankcoffey]

It's amazing how many things you can not have to do when you have an EV. 2000 fewer parts means fewer stupid human tricks you're required to do and less chance of being ripped off by service centers. I'm 60 years old and I've had it will all that, I'm out.

[@brucepulver8358]

change oil and, and?? AND FILTER! Please the number of people that change oil and not change the cleaner of the oil. If you get dirty fuel you?? Change filter!, not dump fuel and keep dirty filter! Have had a 250,000km and 500,000km car, changed filter twice as often as oil change. $15 filter or $75 oil cheap insurance,

[@happyisblue]

Break-in already done at the factory, but if you want to be sure, follow your manual. I haven't broken-in my last new 3 cars. All still good.

[@aexiong1190]

That is only on some cars. Usually, high performance vehicles.

[@happyisblue]

Yeah, that could be true. Best to be safe and follow your manual.

[@aexiong1190]

@@happyisblue Agreed!

[@vegancyclist8853]

some people use several back to back WOT passes to break in a motor, so.... no. Just drive like a normal person. Dump the oil early. call it a day.

[@shyuc]

How about a new EV?

[@Kuth70]

Zero break in period on a pure EV. Drive it however you like. Maybe take it easy on the brakes in the beginning that's about it. Given that EVs use regen braking, that really isn't a concern either.

[@arispelius600]

Charles Shyu also the Chevy Volt (a plug-in hybrid) doesn’t require a break in.

[@paulomoniz7326]

break-in is done in the factory you don't need to make it.

[@unccred]

Buy an electric car and you won't have to worry about all this crap.