Is there a break in period for a brand new accord? If there is, how do I gently break it in?

the manual would state exactly how to properly break the car in....

but, here it is....

-avoid hard stops and starts if possible
- no full throttle acceleration
- do not use cruise for long periods of time... vary the engine RPMs so that the seals inside can properly set correctly.....

in other words, baby it for the first 600 miles, then you can GRADUALLY work the car up to how you want to drive it....

also, your car will not get that greayt gas mileage at first, but gradually improve over several tanks.... it normally plateaus around 15-20k miles on the clock....

one last thing: do not change the factory engine oil before 5k miles.

hope this all helps....

Thank you very much :thmsup:

Pound on it...It seems to work with every new car I buy.

honda tells you a certain way of doing things for a reason... :yes:

the way i broke in my car the first 600 miles:

-no full throttle starts (waste of gas)

-go easy on brakes for the first 200 miles

-do not maintain a set speed for too long

-rev it up once in a while to move those pistons

-vary your RPMs constantly

-last, but not least, have fun and enjoy the ride! :D

honda tells you a certain way of doing things for a reason... :yes:

Dealer had the tranny out stuffing an LSD in there at 800 miles.lol My TBSS I bought I had to drive 200 miles to get it. On the way home I stopped at the track to run it with the plastic and wrappers still on it. Had like 30 miles on the truck when I got to the track. I buy a new car every year and I beat on them from day one and don't have problems. I never use cruise so that isn't an issue.

Dealer had the tranny out stuffing an LSD in there at 800 miles.lol My TBSS I bought I had to drive 200 miles to get it. On the way home I stopped at the track to run it with the plastic and wrappers still on it. Had like 30 miles on the truck when I got to the track. I buy a new car every year and I beat on them from day one and don't have problems. I never use cruise so that isn't an issue.

I heard that there were two ways to break an engine in. One way being the way that everyone else is mentioning, for longevity. And the other way being the way that you are mentioning, for performance.

Since you don't actually keep your cars for very long how do you know that it isn't hurting the longevity over the life of the engine? If you kept your vehicles for 3+ years that'd probably give us a better idea of whether or not it'll hurt the engine in the long run.

I used to be a tech and manage facilities with big trucks, heavy equipment, pickups and cars.

Any bets that NOBODY gave a damn about breaking in an engine gently?

Further, does anyone think that John or Jane Public sweats breaking in the car?

The manufacturer designs it for the lowest common denominator, and while being careful is never a bad thing, the "clueless" out there seem to be doing fine.

So I guess I've gone full circle on the issue.

Most car owners (except a few) have ever cracked open the Owner's Manual to read it. Most people drive cars and trucks w/ 10 miles on them the same way w/ 100k miles. When you talk about new cars and the "break in period" to some folk, they'll tilt their head to the side like a puppy dog does.

Most car owners (except a few) have ever cracked open the Owner's Manual to read it. Most people drive cars and trucks w/ 10 miles on them the same way w/ 100k miles. When you talk about new cars and the "break in period" to some folk, they'll tilt their head to the side like a puppy dog does.

you must mean something like this.... :yes:

Just imagine if you bought a demo tester Accord. People revving it and taking all the way up to 80mph on the interstate. Braking it hard to test the brakes, etc. There goes your break in gentleness. That's why the car that I drive on the test drive is never the one that I buy. I will drive the one I will buy, but not hard.

you must mean something like this.... :yes:

:lmao: :lmao:

you must mean something like this....

Exactly. I know some of you have gotten that look before. :paranoid: Hell, my wife does it sometimes.

Some members of the general public also don't change their oil for 30-50K miles (seen it), don't change their tires until they see belts OR LATER, and don't wash their car until they can no longer see out the windows. Would you like to follow their lead? I think I will continue to break in my cars my way

Yeah most people do "just fine" but since when did we settle for just fine? If you wanted just fine you would have bought a Hyundai right?

I heard that there were two ways to break an engine in. One way being the way that everyone else is mentioning, for longevity. And the other way being the way that you are mentioning, for performance.

Since you don't actually keep your cars for very long how do you know that it isn't hurting the longevity over the life of the engine? If you kept your vehicles for 3+ years that'd probably give us a better idea of whether or not it'll hurt the engine in the long run.

If you seen cars come off an assembly line, and the guys that load them on the trains you would shake your head.

As long as you do decent maintenance, you should have no worries about breaking it in.

Some members of the general public also don't change their oil for 30-50K miles (seen it), don't change their tires until they see belts OR LATER, and don't wash their car until they can no longer see out the windows. Would you like to follow their lead? I think I will continue to break in my cars my way

Yeah most people do "just fine" but since when did we settle for just fine? If you wanted just fine you would have bought a Hyundai right?


You are absolutely correct.

In what I posted the point I was trying to make is that basically use your head, go easy on the car starting and stopping for a while, and you should be fine. But if you skip a step, it shouldn't be "fatal."

I heard that there were two ways to break an engine in. One way being the way that everyone else is mentioning, for longevity. And the other way being the way that you are mentioning, for performance.

Since you don't actually keep your cars for very long how do you know that it isn't hurting the longevity over the life of the engine? If you kept your vehicles for 3+ years that'd probably give us a better idea of whether or not it'll hurt the engine in the long run.



Ive worked on cars and bikes for about 20 years and heard all the stories so i wont bore you with my own opinion,BUT i will remind you all its not just the engine that is being run in.I m a strong beliver in getting any engine to CORRECT operating temp before driving hard.{ not just as soon as the gauge reads O.K }

the manual would state exactly how to properly break the car in....

but, here it is....

-avoid hard stops and starts if possible
- no full throttle acceleration
- do not use cruise for long periods of time... vary the engine RPMs so that the seals inside can properly set correctly.....

in other words, baby it for the first 600 miles, then you can GRADUALLY work the car up to how you want to drive it....

also, your car will not get that greayt gas mileage at first, but gradually improve over several tanks.... it normally plateaus around 15-20k miles on the clock....

one last thing: do not change the factory engine oil before 5k miles.

hope this all helps....


Personally i would get the first oil and filter change done at about 800 - 1000 km. 500 - 600 miles. Keep on mineral oil. Mobil 1 Synthetic at 10000 km {6000 miles } Change oil and filter evrey 10000 km { 6000} miles after Mobil 1. Just my opinion.

Personally i would get the first oil and filter change done at about 800 - 1000 km. 500 - 600 miles. Keep on mineral oil. Mobil 1 Synthetic at 10000 km {6000 miles } Change oil and filter evrey 10000 km { 6000} miles after Mobil 1. Just my opinion.

My opinion: leave the factory fill in for as long as possible, like Honda recommends. Per their information at various sources, it is "specially formulated" for break-in.

Then, I'd skip the Mobil 1 and save myself about $3-4 a quart and get Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic for BOGO free at Advance Auto, or $1.99/qt after rebate at Pep Boys. 6K sounds about right on the oci, though.

:thmsup: