2011 Fusion SE break in

[Wilson11]

This is my first new car ever and was wondering if I needed to "break in" the engine. Or was that just a myth of years past?

[mort]

This is my first new car ever and was wondering if I needed to "break in" the engine. Or was that just a myth of years past?

Hi Wilson,

Manufacturers have never required extensive break-ins, but at one time many did use a special engine oil which was changed out early. Those days are long gone. Modern engine design and motor oils pretty much eliminate special break-in behavior.

Here's what the owners manual has something to say.

page 5:

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE

Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive

continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of

new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the

moving parts a chance to break in.

Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since

these additives may prevent piston ring seating. See Engine oil in the

Maintenance and Specifications chapter for more information on oil

usage.

-mort

[tsetse51]

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE

Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive

continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of

new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the

moving parts a chance to break in.

 

This has been the most important practice for break-in of an engine for decades. Don't hit the highway and cruise at one speed for long periods. But, don't idle around town for a thousand miles, either. Vary the engine speed AND load, frequently.

 

And, despite what the manual says, don't leave the original oil in the engine for 7,500 miles, at least for the first time. Change the oil and filter at about 1,000 miles. That gets rid of the break-in wear particles.

[Wilson11]

Thanks for the replies!

[akirby]

And, despite what the manual says, don't leave the original oil in the engine for 7,500 miles, at least for the first time. Change the oil and filter at about 1,000 miles. That gets rid of the break-in wear particles.

 

Urban myth. If there are any, they're in the oil filter. Just not necessary in today's engines.

[Lifyre]

Urban myth. If there are any, they're in the oil filter. Just not necessary in today's engines.

 

I agree they'd be in the filter but I would still do the first change early. Certainly not the 800-1000 miles you had to do in the past but I'd probably treat it as a severe driving oil change, or you could just change the filter and be just as well off.

[tsetse51]

Urban myth. If there are any, they're in the oil filter. Just not necessary in today's engines.

 

The visible metal in the drained oil is no myth. Yes, the filter catches a lot, but there's more that stays in the oil reservoir. Better to get rid of that fine "lapping compound."

 

Some things are necessary in ANY new engine, regardless of the era in which it was designed or manufactured.

[akirby]

The visible metal in the drained oil is no myth. Yes, the filter catches a lot, but there's more that stays in the oil reservoir. Better to get rid of that fine "lapping compound."

 

Some things are necessary in ANY new engine, regardless of the era in which it was designed or manufactured.

 

If it was necessary to avoid potential damage then the mfrs would recommend an early oil change. They don't. I trust that they know more than us about what's required for the engine since they have to stand behind it for 5 yrs/60K miles.

[akirby]

And if it stays in the oil reservoir then it isn't damaging the engine anyway.

[Lifyre]

And if it stays in the oil reservoir then it isn't damaging the engine anyway.

 

Must be a really weak pump to leave suspended metals in the reservoir...

[akirby]

Must be a really weak pump to leave suspended metals in the reservoir...

I don't believe it would actually - I was just making a counterpoint.

[Grey]

I won't say there are not "better" maintenance products for specific applications, but I can say that the Ford Engineers have specified oils and filters that exceed the needs of the engine for 99% of us, I will use the Motorcraft 5W20 synthetic blend and filters for my vehicles. If I lived in the far North, I would use the full synthetic Motorcraft oil. If I drove on dirt roads frequently, I would change the oil and filters more often. For us, the 6 month maintenance cycle works best - about 5,000 miles. This strategy represents the best care and best value for most of us. Full out racing and heavy trailer towing might represent situations where other spec. oils could be better.

 

Don't take the factory fill out before 3,000 miles. On occasion, during the first 1,000 miles, let the vehicle coast down from highway speed (off the gas) to encourage the rings to seat good.

[Lifyre]

I don't believe it would actually - I was just making a counterpoint.

 

Ahh very well. The thing I'm curious about is if the fine metal is good or bad for the "break-in" of the engine. Also that would be likely be a hell of an expensive test program to find out.

[tsetse51]

If it was necessary to avoid potential damage then the mfrs would recommend an early oil change. They don't. I trust that they know more than us about what's required for the engine since they have to stand behind it for 5 yrs/60K miles.

 

You're right, they do know more than we do about how their product behaves. What I question is their motives.

 

Remember that they're in business for the sole purpose of selling you another vehicle, just as soon as they can convince you to buy. They are NOT interested in helping you make the car last as long as it can reasonably be maintained. I intend to keep mine, and depend on it, far longer than 5/60, or whatever the specified warranty period is.

 

If they can arrange to have your car worn out, needing to be replaced, when it's just barely outside the warranty period, then their engineering and marketing people have done their jobs well. As for me, I'll continue a maintenance program that has kept numerous vehicles operating reliably for quite a number of years/miles past the expiration of any warranty.

[akirby]

You're right, they do know more than we do about how their product behaves. What I question is their motives.

 

Remember that they're in business for the sole purpose of selling you another vehicle, just as soon as they can convince you to buy. They are NOT interested in helping you make the car last as long as it can reasonably be maintained. I intend to keep mine, and depend on it, far longer than 5/60, or whatever the specified warranty period is.

 

If they can arrange to have your car worn out, needing to be replaced, when it's just barely outside the warranty period, then their engineering and marketing people have done their jobs well. As for me, I'll continue a maintenance program that has kept numerous vehicles operating reliably for quite a number of years/miles past the expiration of any warranty.

 

That's a ridiculous conspiracy theory. Ford tests their engines for 150,000 miles. Go look at the ecoboost torture test. These theories that mfrs build in obsolescence to sell more cars is just an urban myth.

[drolds1]

You're right, they do know more than we do about how their product behaves. What I question is their motives.

 

Remember that they're in business for the sole purpose of selling you another vehicle, just as soon as they can convince you to buy. They are NOT interested in helping you make the car last as long as it can reasonably be maintained. I intend to keep mine, and depend on it, far longer than 5/60, or whatever the specified warranty period is.

 

If they can arrange to have your car worn out, needing to be replaced, when it's just barely outside the warranty period, then their engineering and marketing people have done their jobs well. As for me, I'll continue a maintenance program that has kept numerous vehicles operating reliably for quite a number of years/miles past the expiration of any warranty.

 

If your car needed to be replaced just after the warranty expired would you buy another car from that manufacturer? You'd have to be a glutton for punishment or an idiot. Have you heard of brand loyalty? How do you think that's fostered? By selling cars that lasted just until the day after the warranty expired? So if they're in business for the sole purpose of selling you another vehicle, by your logic they'd be helping to sell a competitor's vehicle. Or are they all in cahoots with each other and split up the profits?

[timwil56]

This is an example of someone who gets an idea in their head, based on his or someone else's opinion, thinks it's a fact and tries to spread it as fact. Ford oil change intervals have been increased to up to one year or 10,000 miles, Mobil states their full synthetic oil will last up to 10,000 miles and high quality semi-synthetic oils will too. Would I go that long, probably not. Not because it will damage the engine, but because I feel more comfortable changing my full synthetic around 7000 to 8000 miles. Engines aren't built like they were in the 70's and 80's. Closer tolerances, better parts and stronger materials make them last longer, run better and more efficiently. With tolerances in modern engines, there is very little "break-in" that occurs. I've purchased three new vehicles, my practice has been to change out the factory oil around 3000 to 3500 miles and replace it with full synthetic. I believe 3XXX miles allows for all kinds of driving conditions. Some people are going to believe what they believe, it doesn't hurt to change oil every 3500 miles, it's just not necessary. Cars aren't shoes, if manufacturers had a goal of planned obsolescence they wouldn't be in business very long. Remember the Yugo?

Edited April 3, 2011 by 2010 Sport Blue SEL