Hi, I was just searching on this forum and was unlucky. My question is what is the EFFECTS of break-in the engine? Does the engine last a couple of thousands more? Better mileage? What? Thanks.

PS - And what's the effects of not breaking in the engine?

 

A typical (safe) break in period for a brand new car's engine is about 1,000 miles. This ensures that all lubricants have been circulated, (they circulate 1st time the engine turns over, but this coats and protects the engine well), all seals are seated well (gaskets, etc.) and that the engine is broken in in general before you start giving it heck. It's like breaking in a new pair of shoes. They feel better after you walk in them for a while, just as an engine has been through it's "introductory process" before you really start wailing on it. This is, of course, if that's how you plan to use your Scion. I will be in about 600 miles.

 

Basicaly your seals and piston rings expand (kind of like a bottle cork). When you wet the cork it will expand creating a better seal. A proper break in does give your engine more life, better gas milage, as well as more power due to better compression. An improperly broken in engine will generaly burn oil, provide less compression, and produce a harsher ride over time. Most cars are generaly broken in the first 600 miles, but according to the Scion manual it's 1000 miles so I would listen to them. Also, there is a special additive in the oil that comes from the factory to help the seals break in, so don't change your oil to early.

 

Oh...well I changed my oil at 1000, would that be fine? And the only other thing I'm worried about is that I learned to drive manual on this car so I lugged the engine a lot during the first couple hundred miles. And I don't remember how I was driving but I kept under 65 for the first 1000 miles. Would that be fine?

And one more thing, when you say longer life? How many more miles are you generally talking about?

 

i waited till after my first oil change at 3000 miles till i strated getting on mine

 

I don't know what the case is with the TC but I know that the RSX and Evo owners who have changed thier oil early (below 3000) typically burn oil and have less compression. I'm not to sure on the effects of stalling, but a few times isn't going to kill your engine. An improperly broken in engine can last just as long if you add oil when needed, but that's just a hassle and with time will increase, and I'm not to sure if those engine seal products work.