[LT Berzerker]

So... Just curious. Got my FiST on Tuesday, alternated gears and revs consistently for for about the first 200 miles. Never above 3250 revs.

Then had to drive to Camp Dodge from Milwaukee... Bout 380 miles... Every couple, 5 or 15, miles changed the cruise varied from 65 to 80 and everything in between, stopped 2 or three times just to hit the on/off ramps. Ran the Revs up to 4500 revs under minimal throttle to vary the load on the drivetrain

So the question is do you think I screwed up the break in on the drivetrain? Was alternating speeds on the freeway enough?

PS: still managed to get 350ish miles combined city & freeway in a 10.3 gallon fill up

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[Ronbo]

Your car will be fine. Drive and enjoy!

 

[LT Berzerker]

Whew lol

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[WScottCross]

You should be fine. I think the point is that you shouldn't go on a 1000 mile trip right after purchase with cruise set at a constant speed the whole time. You went out of your way to mix it up.

 

[smatty]

What patience. The car isn't even in the fun zone until after 3000 rpm.

 

[WScottCross]

What patience. The car isn't even in the fun zone until after 3000 rpm.

It's in the fun zone if it's in gear!

 

[LT Berzerker]

Thanks guys, can't wait till after the first oil change to lay into the throttle and thrash a little bit ( PS that is getting done @ 1000 miles just to get the metal fragments from the break in/ ring & valvetrain seating out

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[Neely2005]

The break in process is in the owners manual.

 

[wash]

My break in procedure was this, drive car from dealership to gas station with my salesman to get the first fill, let him know the car takes premium, not 87, then drive about 500' more and give it hell.

She's running strong. No problems.

 

[theDUDE8370]

I just watched where my revs were at and varied everything.

 

[MLKN]

I autocrossed it at 1500 miles. She's been broken in.

 

[ChrisTahoe]

There are different arguments for all sorts of break-in procedures. Some people/journalists argue a hard break in helps seat the piston rings, with supporting evidence. Others argue an easy break in is the only way to go, with supporting evidence.

I just drove the car like I would after the break in period. Tame most of the time, but got on it every now and again, and changed the oil at 800 miles. That's how I broke in my last car and the mileage was consistent with others' cars so I'd say it worked out fine.

Don't sweat it. The machining process with engines has gotten so much better that the break in is done within just a few short miles. Drive your car and enjoy it.

 

[Ronbo]

This break in discussion reminds me when I toured the Porsche factory back in 1993. Immediately after being built, every engine Porsche makes is hooked up to a dyno and repeatedly run through the rev range to redline. I remember it being done around five or six times for each engine. Then when the car is completed the test drivers every car for a thorough shakedown on the autobahn, again taking the car through the entire rev range. There was no babying the cars during a break in period.

 

[Neely2005]

The break in process is in the owners manual.

BREAKING-IN

Tires
WARNING
New tires need to be run-in for
approximately 300 miles (500
kilometers). During this time, you
may experience different driving
characteristics.

Brakes and Clutch
WARNING
Avoid heavy use of the brakes and
clutch if possible for the first 100
miles (150 kilometers) in town and
for the first 1000 miles (1500 kilometers)
on freeways.

Engine
WARNING
Avoid driving too fast during the first
1000 miles (1500 kilometers). Vary
your speed frequently and change
up through the gears early. Do not labor
the engine.

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2014-Fiesta-Owner's-Manual-Third-Print_om_en-us_10_2013.pdf

 

[smatty]

Those are a little different instructions than the ST addendum pamphlet.

 

[JBD319]

This break in discussion reminds me when I toured the Porsche factory back in 1993. Immediately after being built, every engine Porsche makes is hooked up to a dyno and repeatedly run through the rev range to redline. I remember it being done around five or six times for each engine. Then when the car is completed the test drivers every car for a thorough shakedown on the autobahn, again taking the car through the entire rev range. There was no babying the cars during a break in period.

I toured the Ferrari factory and they do pretty much the same thing. The only caveat I would say to this is that (at least for Ferrari but I imagine Porsche is similar), most of these engines are designed with the idea that they will have a major engine out service around 30-50k miles. That may have changed in recent years so someone can feel free to correct me. Mass produced engines are designed with higher tolerances to last much longer so they need a softer break in.

What the Ford service center said in the above comment is pretty common, as manufacturers will recommend a soft break in to cover their behinds. I think most mechanics would agree that under 1k miles you shouldn't thrash the car, but it needs to be broken in across the rev range, not just below 3000 rpm. Bringing the car to redline during break in isn't bad, I just wouldn't do it under full throttle to be sure.

 

[WScottCross]

...Bringing the car to redline during break in isn't bad, I just wouldn't do it under full throttle to be sure.

How else would you get it to redline? I think you meant under full load, right?

 

[JBD319]

Right

 

[The Duke]

How else would you get it to redline? I think you meant under full load, right?

The issue is pressure in the combustion chamber. To that effect, low rpm, high boost is also something I'd stray away from for the first few hundred miles. Gradually get more aggressive as the miles rack up.

 

[MasterPooBaa]

And of course be a little more gentle when the engine is stone cold