Break in procedure?

[itc_ff]

Hi,

 

I recently purchased a new 2010 Fusion SEL V6. It's been a while since I owned a new car, or at least one worth treating right. Usually car manuals say stuff like "drive conservatively for the first 4000 km," while others say stuff like "accelerate harder than normal during the first 1000 km." I asked various members of the sales team and they said there is no break in necessary, because Ford engineers cars to be driven immediately on test drives, etc. I suspect they said that because the car had ~200 km on it from test drives (but it was literally the only model in my region with the specs and color I wanted - I checked myself, so it was either this car or wait ~3 months for a factory order), and I raised concerns about the fact it's impossible for me to know what occurred during those 200 km.

 

Now it's at about 70 0km, mostly city driving, but a few trips on the highway and extra urban roads. For the most part it's <2000 rpm nearly constantly (thanks to the 6 speed), with gentle acceleration. However I've redlined it briefly 4 or 5 times (plus however many occurred during those 200 km), with the transmission shifting to avoid going past ~6500. Yeah it probably would have been smarter to ask this question first, but that's life.:P

 

So what should I be doing about break in? Should I take it in for an oil change before the Ford-recommended 90 days?

Edited February 10, 2010 by itc_ff

[Blizzard35]

Drive the car according to the way you'll be "driving the car" in everyday circumstances. I was told, by my dealership many cars ago...including my current Fusion, that the engine/components adapt to the type of driving it is exposed to....and, I was told to drive the car and have fun. Varrying the speed/acceleraton/braking etc. will help the car adapt to it's "new owner."

[akirby]

Drive the car according to the way you'll be "driving the car" in everyday circumstances. I was told, by my dealership many cars ago...including my current Fusion, that the engine/components adapt to the type of driving it is exposed to....and, I was told to drive the car and have fun. Varrying the speed/acceleraton/braking etc. will help the car adapt to it's "new owner."

 

They don't adapt to the driver's driving style - that's a myth, at least on Ford vehicles. The only thing that "learns" while you drive is the transmission, but it only learns the proper shift pressure to achieve the factory determined shift completion speed to account for manufacturing tolerances and wear over time. But that has nothing to do with how you drive.

 

As far as break-in, it's very clearly explained in the owner's manual. It probably says not to maintain a set speed for the first 500 or 1000 miles and there is usually no restriction on throttle application or anything else.

[bbf2530]

Hi,

 

I recently purchased a new 2010 Fusion SEL V6. It's been a while since I owned a new car, or at least one worth treating right. Usually car manuals say stuff like "drive conservatively for the first 4000 km," while others say stuff like "accelerate harder than normal during the first 1000 km." I asked various members of the sales team and they said there is no break in necessary, because Ford engineers cars to be driven immediately on test drives, etc. I suspect they said that because the car had ~200 km on it from test drives (but it was literally the only model in my region with the specs and color I wanted - I checked myself, so it was either this car or wait ~3 months for a factory order), and I raised concerns about the fact it's impossible for me to know what occurred during those 200 km.

 

Now it's at about 70 0km, mostly city driving, but a few trips on the highway and extra urban roads. For the most part it's <2000 rpm nearly constantly (thanks to the 6 speed), with gentle acceleration. However I've redlined it briefly 4 or 5 times (plus however many occurred during those 200 km), with the transmission shifting to avoid going past ~6500. Yeah it probably would have been smarter to ask this question first, but that's life.:P

 

So what should I be doing about break in? Should I take it in for an oil change before the Ford-recommended 90 days?

 

 

EDIT - I was typing my reply at the same time as akirby, so some of my information is now repetitive. Once again, curse my slow fingers! :hysterical2:

 

Hi itc. :D The Owners Manual makes mention of the minimal break-in required. Here is a copy and paste (page 5 in mine):

"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 during

the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these

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

Maintenance and Specifications chapter for more information on oil

usage."

 

By varying sped, conventional wisdom states that we should not drive at the same speed for more than 10 minutes at a time. For example if driving on the highway, do not drive along at 65 mph for an hour. Follow a "10 & 10" rule. Vary your speed up and down by 10 mph every 10 minutes. And while we do not have to "baby" the car in the first 1,000 miles, do not "drive it like you stole it" either. Drive the car like a normal, sane human being who actually has to pay the bills and cares about how long it will last (not saying you wouldn't naturally do that, just being descriptive).

 

Additionally, the recommended oil change interval for "Normal Service" is 6 months/7,500 miles (Severe Service is 6 months/5,000 miles). It is not 90 days, 3,000 miles, or any other number you may have been told by the Dealer (or be used to from the past). You can verify this by checking the Ford Scheduled Maintenance Guide that you were given when you purchased your car. Improvements in engine manufacturing and oil technology allow much longer OCI's (oil change intervals) than used in the past.

 

Ignore Dealer service recommendations that differ from the Ford Scheduled Maintenance Guide. To make extra money on service, many Dealers will still tell customers 3 months/3,000 miles. It is not necessary and is a money waster for you and a money maker for them.

 

If we really think about it, considering that the average annual mileage driven in the U.S is about 11,000-12,000 miles (about 5,500-6,000 per 6 months), most people will actually need to change their oil on the 6 month guideline, since they will not be putting more than 7,500 miles on in 6 months anyway.

 

What do I do?: Since I do not put a lot of annual miles on my MKZ, I wind up changing my oil on an "every 6 months" schedule. With my driving habits, the oil has about 3,000 to 3,500 miles on it at that 6 month interval. But if I did drive a lot of miles, I would follow the 7,500 miles recommendation.

 

If you want to do your first oil change a bit sooner (some people do it as early as 1,000 miles to get out "manufacturing debris", "metal shavings" etc.), you can but it is not necessary.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited February 10, 2010 by bbf2530

[thunderstruck666]

Does the oil actually degrade after 6 months, or is that a myth? I always figured it was good for X number of miles, based on severity of driving conditions. I was spoiled by a car that used synthetic oil and was mfr rated for oil changes every 10K miles.

[bbf2530]

Does the oil actually degrade after 6 months, or is that a myth? I always figured it was good for X number of miles, based on severity of driving conditions. I was spoiled by a car that used synthetic oil and was mfr rated for oil changes every 10K miles.

 

 

Hi thunderstruck :D . It is not a myth. Not being a wise guy (really really not, just trying to explain), but Ford's engineers (and other automakers) are not in the habit of publishing myths in their Owners Manuals and Maintenance Schedules. Not after spending millions upon millions of dollars to engineer and test their vehicles.

 

Just a quick and simple explanation: While engine oils can keep their lubricating qualities for longer periods, the problem is the acids and other corrosive contaminants that build up in the oil over time. Leave that oil sitting in the engine and oil pan for long periods and those acids become very destructive to the engine components.

 

Of course there are always variables, but every possible variable cannot be taken into account when formulating a Maintenance Schedule. So numbers are settled upon that will be the best coverage for all contingencies. Therefore, their is a time and mileage deadline, in this case 6 months/7,500 miles (or 6 months/5,000 miles for the Severe Service variable), whichever comes first. In this way, those corrosive elements are flushed out of the system every 6 months at maximum.

 

Some auto manufacturers rate their cars shorter than 6 months/7,500 miles, and a few rate their cars longer. But in the end, to protect our Warranty rights with our Ford vehicles, following the Ford recommendations and having receipts to show we have done so is our protection if engine trouble (no matter how unlikely) should ever occur.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited February 10, 2010 by bbf2530

[acdii]

All engines from the factory have gone through a run up to *bed* the rings to the cylinder walls, otherwise they would all look like Vega's as they leave the dealer. The break-in period is to help seat the rings to the cylinder walls. Bedding the rings is done by revving the engine under load then idling down. If you replace an engine, you take the car out and hammer down to about 60 MPH then coast, and do this about 10 times, then the oil rings are sealed and oil doesn't get past them. This basically causes the lower oil rings to seal, but the cast iron rings, known as compression rings still need further seating, and that is where the variable driving comes in, they need to wear in to the walls of the cylinders. After 1,000 miles you usually start to notice the engine is a little peppier, and gas mileage improves, this is the point where the rings are fully seated and have maximum compression. No other parts in the engine need to be broken in as they need to be friction free, only the compression and oil rings need a break in as they are basically the only wear items in the engine with full metal on metal contact and no layer of oil between them. Sounds funny when you think about it, but if the cylinder walls were oiled, you would be burning oil like a 73 Vega. I know of a guy who thought he was going to make his engine last forever when he rebuilt it by using a moly based break in lube to install the pistons and lathered the walls up with it before putting the heads on, he couldn't understand why his rings didn't seat. After about 5000 miles he finally started to get full compression, but by that time he had done damage to the lower end from all the gas that seeped past the rings.

[Grey]

Another reason to vary your speed for the first 1000 miles or so is to create a wide wear pattern on all gear mating surfaces. This will help prevent gear noise long term. Use the 10/10 rule - if you are on a long trip change your speed by 10 MPH after 10 minutes. Don't set the speed control for 65 and run it for hours on end.

[acdii]

Another reason to vary your speed for the first 1000 miles or so is to create a wide wear pattern on all gear mating surfaces. This will help prevent gear noise long term. Use the 10/10 rule - if you are on a long trip change your speed by 10 MPH after 10 minutes. Don't set the speed control for 65 and run it for hours on end.

 

This only applies to a manual transmission, automatics have clutch disks and planetary gear sets so this doesn't apply. Planetary sets are in constant mesh at all speeds. Tolerances in manuals today are also very tight, so there is very little slop between gears, and they are also in constant mesh, so break in isn't as necessary as it used to be.

[akirby]

This only applies to a manual transmission, automatics have clutch disks and planetary gear sets so this doesn't apply. Planetary sets are in constant mesh at all speeds. Tolerances in manuals today are also very tight, so there is very little slop between gears, and they are also in constant mesh, so break in isn't as necessary as it used to be.

 

Differential?

[acdii]

Differential?

 

Same deal, constant mesh, soaking in fluid. It is very rare for the diff in a FWD to give out, it needs help for that to happen.

[akirby]

Same deal, constant mesh, soaking in fluid. It is very rare for the diff in a FWD to give out, it needs help for that to happen.

 

I was just pointing out other parts of the drivetrain where gears mesh. I thought you were saying the transmission was the only place.