Proper Engine Break-in

[Lowtush]

Savagegeese on YouTube just released this engine break-in video, which I found informative and entertaining. Obviously, the video is not specific to the Emira; however, it did cause my brain to wrinkle a bit. Allow me to elaborate:

The host mentions that an engine's break-in procedure varies in its method of execution depending on whether the motor in question is a mass-produced engine, or, a more specialized performance-oriented engine.

I found myself a bit confounded in that the Emira's engine is, of course, derived from a mass-produced Toyota motor - - but - - is obviously altered to be a performance-oriented motor. It's almost like if someone asked you if you'd prefer a Coke or a Pepsi and you simply responded "yes!"

Watch the video from Savagegeese and give me your thoughts! Which procedure is right?!

YouTube Link

I know the Emira's owner's manual says not to exceed 4K RPM (or so) for 1,000 miles... But it doesn't really specify how you drive those miles... Right?

I'm not trying to start any fights here... Just a bit of late-Friday-night pondering.

 

[kitkat]

I follow similar break-in procedures as they do — varying load and no thermal shock for 200 miles — change engine oil, engine oil filter, transmission fluids, differential fluids.

Then drive it like you mean to drive it.

 

[Emirahep]

Savagegeese on YouTube just released this engine break-in video, which I found informative and entertaining. Obviously, the video is not specific to the Emira; however, it did cause my brain to wrinkle a bit. Allow me to elaborate:

The host mentions that an engine's break-in procedure varies in its method of execution depending on whether the motor in question is a mass-produced engine, or, a more specialized performance-oriented engine.

I found myself a bit confounded in that the Emira's engine is, of course, derived from a mass-produced Toyota motor - - but - - is obviously altered to be a performance-oriented motor. It's almost like if someone asked you if you'd prefer a Coke or a Pepsi and you simply responded "yes!"

Watch the video from Savagegeese and give me your thoughts! Which procedure is right?!

YouTube Link

I know the Emira's owner's manual says not to exceed 4K RPM (or so) for 1,000 miles... But it doesn't really specify how you drive those miles... Right?

I'm not trying to start any fights here... Just a bit of late-Friday-night pondering.

At the factory handover, Scott gave the following tips on running in;

Don’t go over 4000 for first 500 miles

Don’t get on motorway and do very long distances at same rpm - vary speed or gears to allow engine to bed in at different revs

He suggested brief excursions above 4000 as the miles climb over 500 and up to 1000 - so that when you reach 1000 and start revving above 4000 it is not the very first time the engine has been there

Finally he said that most of the running in was for the gearbox and supercharger - not the Toyota V6 itself.

 

[eclat2emira]

At the factory handover, Scott gave the following tips on running in;

Don’t go over 4000 for first 500 miles

Don’t get on motorway and do very long distances at same rpm - vary speed or gears to allow engine ti bed in at different revs

He suggested brief excursions above 4000 as the miles climb over 500 and up to 1000 - so that when you reach 1000 and start revving above 4000 it is not the very first time the engine has been there

Finally he said that most of the running in was for the gearbox and supercharger - not the Toyota V6 itself.

Yes, that's the same brief Scott gave our group, with the addition of 500rpm per 100 miles after you've done 500, so 4500rpm after 500 miles, 5000rpm after 600 miles, etc. Sounds like a well reasoned approach.

 

[Wolverine]

Don't understand why Lotus make us do this when other manufacturers of high-performance cars don't require it and won't impact warranty either.

 

[Carbuilder]

Don't understand why Lotus make us do this when other manufacturers of high-performance cars don't require it and won't impact warranty either.

Which manufacturer doesn't require a break-in? All the ones I've seen specify a break-in right in the owners manual.

 

[Fido]

Engine manufacture is sufficiently tight toleranced nowadays that a running-in period is not essential and won’t necessarily deliver any benefits. However, most enthusiastic owners will want to be as sympathetic as they can and avoid anything that might impair performance in the long run. Similarly, modern synthetic oils perform much more consistently and don’t degrade in the same way as older oils did and so shouldn’t need changing early. A bit of patience and the cost of an oil change is a small price to pay for a little peace of mind However.

 

[KAR120C]

Engine manufacture is sufficiently tight toleranced nowadays that a running-in period is not essential and won’t necessarily deliver any benefits. However, most enthusiastic owners will want to be as sympathetic as they can and avoid anything that might impair performance in the long run. Similarly, modern synthetic oils perform much more consistently and don’t degrade in the same way as older oils did and so shouldn’t need changing early. A bit of patience and the cost of an oil change is a small price to pay for a little peace of mind However.

Both my BMW M2C and X3 have clear break in procedures in the manual. The M2C was especially specific on dos and dont’s.

Which manufacturers don’t have engine break requirements anymore?

 

[forest]

Don't understand why Lotus make us do this when other manufacturers of high-performance cars don't require it and won't impact warranty either.

This is a Ferrari manual, but it says it needs breaking-in.
Another page says to avoid hard braking for up to 300 km after replacing new pads in order to stabilize the brake pads correctly.

 

[Citizen]

Don't understand why Lotus make us do this when other manufacturers of high-performance cars don't require it and won't impact warranty either.

Another example of haters gonna hate

 

[Fido]

I wouldn’t call that a running-in procedure, really it’s saying “don’t abuse the engine, while it beds itself in”

 

[vision]

Hi, it is really difficult to hold it below 4K, also my car has some cosmetic issues to be resolved but engine management light came on after 80 miles on a cold start up. I tend to switch direct to track could this be the issue

 

[Carbuilder]

Ferrari, Porche, Corvette....they all specify some sort of break-in procedure. No matter what tolerances or care go into building an engine, there are always parts that run against mating parts that need to bed in. Much better to do this slowly over time than force it quickly.

 

[Magicman]

Yes, that's the same brief Scott gave our group, with the addition of 500rpm per 100 miles after you've done 500, so 4500rpm after 500 miles, 5000rpm after 600 miles, etc. Sounds like a well reasoned approach.

Again what scott told me and ive followed it, on 900mls now so had the foray up to 6k. There's a definite ramp up in volume and hardening of the tone past 5k

 

[@Life411]

At the factory handover, Scott gave the following tips on running in;

Don’t go over 4000 for first 500 miles

Don’t get on motorway and do very long distances at same rpm - vary speed or gears to allow engine to bed in at different revs

He suggested brief excursions above 4000 as the miles climb over 500 and up to 1000 - so that when you reach 1000 and start revving above 4000 it is not the very first time the engine has been there

Finally he said that most of the running in was for the gearbox and supercharger - not the Toyota V6 itself.

So I've got a somewhat unique situation, though it is more common in the U.S. My drive home from the dealer will be 750 miles!

Since these are the recommendations from the factory, they seem like the best we will get.

Regarding the following statement, I could use some help/info "Don’t get on motorway and do very long distances at same rpm - vary speed or gears to allow engine to bed in at different revs". Highway speeds will mostly be in the 70-80mph range, but what I don't know is this...

• How many RPM is that in 6th gear in Tour mode?
• How many RPM is that in 5th gear in Tour mode?
• I assume 4th gear would get me well above the 4,000 RPM threshhold.

Appreciate any answers or advice on making my trip while adhering to the break-in guidelines. This is a 12-hour trip under normal driving conditions and unfortunately I will need to make it in a single day.

 

[Eagle7]

So I've got a somewhat unique situation, though it is more common in the U.S. My drive home from the dealer will be 750 miles!

Since these are the recommendations from the factory, they seem like the best we will get.

Regarding the following statement, I could use some help/info "Don’t get on motorway and do very long distances at same rpm - vary speed or gears to allow engine to bed in at different revs". Highway speeds will mostly be in the 70-80mph range, but what I don't know is this...

• How many RPM is that in 6th gear in Tour mode?
• How many RPM is that in 5th gear in Tour mode?
• I assume 4th gear would get me well above the 4,000 RPM threshhold.

Appreciate any answers or advice on making my trip while adhering to the break-in guidelines. This is a 12-hour trip under normal driving conditions and unfortunately I will need to make it in a single day.

Just vary your speed and gearing. Do somewhere between 65-75, switching between 5th and 6th. 65 in 5th is about 2k rpm if I remember right (only went on the freeway once so far), and 70-75 in 6th is around 2k. 6th is a very tall gear. If you're climbing hills, use 5th or even 4th depending on the speed. Anywhere between 2k and 4k rpm is okay as long as it's not the same speed for hours, like putting it on cruise at 75 for 2 hours or so.

Take a break maybe once an hour. Pull off the highway for 5 minutes when there's a town, gas station, drive-thru for a food or bathroom break, etc. Around town is going to mostly be 3rd or 4th, unless you're in one of those 25 MPH zones, then it's 2nd gear, but that's okay. 12 hours is a long run. It may take 13 with having to be more conscientious about varying your speed, but you'll only have to do this once. Stay alert and be safe!

 

[KAR120C]

So I've got a somewhat unique situation, though it is more common in the U.S. My drive home from the dealer will be 750 miles!

Since these are the recommendations from the factory, they seem like the best we will get.

Regarding the following statement, I could use some help/info "Don’t get on motorway and do very long distances at same rpm - vary speed or gears to allow engine to bed in at different revs". Highway speeds will mostly be in the 70-80mph range, but what I don't know is this...

• How many RPM is that in 6th gear in Tour mode?
• How many RPM is that in 5th gear in Tour mode?
• I assume 4th gear would get me well above the 4,000 RPM threshhold.

Appreciate any answers or advice on making my trip while adhering to the break-in guidelines. This is a 12-hour trip under normal driving conditions and unfortunately I will need to make it in a single day.

Here is a link to a thread that has mph and engine speed by gear. Just vary between 4, 5, and 6. You’ll easily do highway speed while shifting to change rpm.

Thread 'Backroad Shift Points'
https://www.emiraforum.com/threads/backroad-shift-points.4583/

 

[@Life411]

Picked up my Emira Friday and drove 868 miles within the first 24 hours of ownership...all following proper break-in procedure thanks to this thread and everyone who contributed. So a big Thank You from me. Can performed like a champ and looking forward to some fun driving now that it's home.

 

[@Life411]

Just wanted to report back that break-in went smoothly thanks to the helpful info in this and related threads. If you're interested in my break-in journey...

 

[djprov431]

I really hope that folks don't believe this "don't go above 4000 RPM" stuff - break in is documented clearly in the Lotus manual. My brand new Emira has been to the red line mulitple times already and it has only 200 miles on it...of course this is only after it's at proper operating temp and I vary what I do. Break it in like you're going to drive it.