New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours

   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #1  

CobyRupert

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Joined
Oct 30, 2012
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5,695
Location
Washington County, NY
Tractor
JD 5075E
Wife just bought a new Subaru Impreza. How many miles (or hours, figuring an average of 40 mph) would you suggest changing the oil during the break in for a new gas motor, non-turbo. The manual only suggests checking level more often during an undefined "break in" period.

500? 1000? 1500? 2000? All those numbers seem reasonable. But that's a 4:1 spread!!
 
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #2  
I probably will depend on where, how, duration and the frequency of driving done. I would ask the service manager at your dealer and do exactly what he recommends.
 
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #3  
I've seen 1500 miles as the generic standard. If the manual says differently, do that.

You should enjoy the snow in the Subaru!
 
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #4  
Just me, but I've always changed oil and filter on new vehicles at 1000 and then again at 5000. After that, all changes are done in 5000 mile increments.
 
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Most of the trips my wife makes will be about 8 miles, at 50-55 mph, with a couple stop signs, etc...and a few short trips, a few longer. So I'm saying about a 40 mph avg. (probably less, when you include warm up times, etc..)

With tractors, isn't 50 hours the break-in period? Is there a difference in break in period on gas vs diesel?
At 40 mph avg, that would be about 2000 miles? At 30 mph avg = 1500 miles, 25 mph=1250 mi, etc...
 
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #6  
Wife just bought a new Subaru Impreza. How many miles (or hours, figuring an average of 40 mph) would you suggest changing the oil during the break in for a new gas motor, non-turbo. The manual only suggests checking level more often during an undefined "break in" period.

500? 1000? 1500? 2000? All those numbers seem reasonable. But that's a 4:1 spread!!

Engine break in is over rated and nothing worry about. Just don't do extended idling .
 
Last edited:
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #7  
Old school thinking,no need to change oil until the first 5,000 miles.I purchase a new vehicle every two years,includeing a couple of Subaru's.With new oils changing sooner is a waste.
 
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #8  
I would follow the owners manual, if it doesn't mention early oil change, follow the schedule listed, probably 7500 and some is 10,000 oil change intervals.
 
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #9  
With all engines being made by a computer now days the tolerances are so precise that break in is no longer needed, simple 'normal' driving is all that is needed. (and I believe that just about all owner's manuals will say just that)

However by normal I don't mean 'jack rabbit starts' nor max RPM passing with foot to the floor.
 
   / New Engine break-in. How many miles or hours #10  
Going with Piloon's computer theory, break-in is totally overrated. Drive it like you are gonna drive it. First oil change should be based on how many contaminates were left in assembled crankcase.

If you think there are some, wouldn't you want to change it after an hour or so of operation?

If you don't think there are any, then go for the normal interval.
 

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