I just got my '07 tC a week ago (4 spd automatic, base model, not supercharged), and drove it off of the lot with about 225 miles on it.

I've heard several stories about how to break in a car into normal usage. So I'm a bit confused.

Some people have said, "don't go over 60 mph during the first 1k miles" , and others have said "car mfgs have already broken in an engine with new technology in building engines, so don't worry about breaking it in"

I need to know from Scion owners what you all have done and what is best for the car. Please be as specific as possible. Such as "use 89+ octane for the first 500 miles" or "accelerate very lightly for the first 1k miles (don't exceed ... RPM)" or even "don't turn the stereo past 45 in loudness for the first 3k". I have no idea, and need your help. I want my baby to last me a long time.

 

im interested too

 

I can't speak for Scion, but in my 2006 Si's owner manual , it says to go easy on the acceleration and braking for 600 miles.

I think that your engine is tested throughly at the factory before it's put into your car, but check your owner's manual and follow what it says the best you can: I trust what Toyota/Scion or Honda says about how to break in a vehicle more than an enthusiast.

 

Search it's been covered soo many times before.

rule of thumb don't redline it for atleast 500miles, 1000 to be safe. make sure your first oil change is right at 3000 mile, and just generally it doesn't matter if you go over 60 (just not like 100 mph or anywhere near that) just don't push the car too hard.

other than that if you want more info use the search button in red.

 

I understand where you're coming from ringpop, but I actually trust owners more than Toyota. I believe what a long time owner says more than a factory. Owners may be more careful than what the factory says in some cases, and more liberal in others. Toyota engineers, mfg, and produces these, whereas owners are truly the lifeblood and testament to livelihood of the car.

 

Don't beat the crap out of it for the first 1000 miles...simple.

If you're absolutely ****, change the oil at 1000 miles.

 

You know, that's a very, very good point. I suppose that makes sense. I guess I would listen to the manufacturer and the owners. Some have different methods than others, however.

 

was the car new? if so, why so many miles?

 

i would assume a DX (dealer exchange) or alot of test drives.

even though my opinion might not be valid to you because of the other post me and u ware going back and forth on. but as an owner and dealer, i recommend taking it easy for the first 1k miles (like the rest said). dont go WOT (wide open throttle). i would also sugeest to use your first 3 free oil changes at 1k, 3k, 5k. toyota suggest every 5k... but the first few changes are very important. after that (even though its suggested at 5k), i do mine every 2.5k

 

No breakaway, your opinion is important here. This is not a buying/pricing issue. It's about taking care of the car and not purchasing one. That other issue is totally seperate. I would trust you from owner to owner.

My car was brand spankin' new. I drove it off the lot with 225 miles, and now I've got 600 miles on it. I had no idea that oil changes are that important for so early in the life of a car. I do get free oil changes and tire rotations for the first 7 years (I better check for any restrictions). If possible, I will change it that often.

And yes zlinedavid, I am that ****.

I want so much to gun it here and there, but I'll hold back for another 400 miles.

 

thats kool that you get oil changes free for 7 years, and im sure your dealer will hold it to 5k miles so your not in their every week. but for the first three they cant control it because you get 3 free with the purchase of a new scion.

 

I personally believe you are throwing away money changing oil at 2.5k. Does your car smoke or burn oil? With semi syn's, and full syn blends, cars are supposed to be able to run up to 10K without a change, while those manufactures recommend 7.5K (the oil manufactures) and FACTORY recommends 5K.

You are not driving a dinosaur car from the 60's, 70's, or 80's even. Synthetics do not break down like crude does. I used mobil 1 full syn in my porsche which was a 83, and that didnt get changed but twice a year. MILEAGE wasnt a factor, but seasons are. Summer I run a heavier blend, winter is a bit lighter. I have never met anyone who seized the car up because they changed the oil too few times, what KILLS a motor is lack of oil period. I am not recommending that everyone see's how far they can go without changing oil, but please dont tell everyone to do it at 1/2 the factory specs!

Fact is if you stick with whats in the owners manual you will be perfectly fine. 5,000 miles is good, I wouldnt drive over the 5K just to appease the warranty gods

 

who said i was using synthetic? once i turbo i will switch to mobil 1, and i will still do my chngles around 2.5 - 3k. i also was not telling him to do oil changes at 2.5k, i simply said thats what i do.

 

That's funny. In my 2006 Civic Si, the manual says that the car came with special additives in the oil to help break the car in and wear parts in properly, and to not change it until the maintenance minder (a little computer) tells you the oil is due.

Weird how car makers have different policies?

 

Immediately drove it like I stole it, no taking it easy break-in period, but I did change the oil & filter after just 200 (yes, hundred) miles. Now have just a bit over 7000 miles and it 's doing great.

As already stated by others, the owner's manual tells you what Toyota/Scion wants you to do, people have different opinions on the topic, and it's been discussed here several times.

 

Nodsetse, I'm right with you! No need to take a grandma approach to the "break-in" period.. I let loose as soon as I was off the Dealer's lot!

One of my cousins work as a mechanic at an Acura dealer (over 10 yrs now), and when he bought a new Integra ('96/'97 model), the first thing he did was rev the hell out of it.. redlined it several times.

He said if anything is wrong with the engine at all, then redlining it would only reaveal those problems.. If nothing's wrong, then nothing will be wrong with it for a long time.. assuming you do your regular maintenance

It's been over ten years now and his integra still runs great!!

 

heh, the story with my car was it belonged to the wife of a mechanic at an autodealership near where I live and they bought it with all the upgrades (minus the supercharger ) and then couldnt afford it anymore after she only put about 6000 miles on it.. so I bought it for hella cheap since it was a used vehicle. My other cars clutch died on an 8 lane highway outside of DC during rush hour traffic.. that was fun. Anyway, my car was broken in when i got it.

 

When I looked at the manual the day after I got the car and read don't go past 60 MPH for the first 1k I was like "Guess that's out the window" cuz the highway next to me has a 70 MPH speed limit(and I'll drive at that speed). It also mentions no hard braking during that time too. It's all up to you how you want to do the "break in" but I'll drive it how I drive any of my other cars. The only thing I haven't done was hit redline which I'm trying to avoid. I have a 89 Celica GT-S which my dad and I rebuilt the engine along with a friends help and the first thing I did, well after the whole 10x full throttle from 30MPH to 50MPH and just let go of the gas and repeat, was going in to second gear and doing that and going to redline. The thing I overlooked was that the radiatior was "repaired" by the previous owner patching a hole with putty or whatever and that's where it blew. It sadly overheated cuz it leaked all the coolant. But I've been running that car hard with no issues since then after getting a new radiator and head gasket. It's such a difference jumping from that car with what seems are long gears going past 7,200 RPMS and then I get into my tC with shorter gears(and more torque and power)and like damn, I gotta shift already at 6,2000 RPMs.

 

I love how Honda says there is "special oil" in their cars. I found a person who did send that oil to a lab found there was nothing different than regular oil. I think it's honda's way of making sure you come back later on for another car! lol

I remember when I didn't listen to them and changed the oil early on the new civic I had at the time. Dealer didn't want to do the work, so I took it to one who would. My engine lasted, but a friend who listened to their maintenance schedule had problems later on. Sure take what you will from that, but I only believe a manufacturer so much. I mean they ARE in a business to SELL cars! And where will they be once the warranty runs out? So what will it hurt to do an oil change early? When did the auto maker's rules become law? they didn't!

And for those who want to say that it's a waste of oil. They do recycle that oil into other things, so it's not wasted.

 

That's a good point. If something is going to go wrong with it, then it should reveal the defect early on in the life of the car. If it is a defect, then it would be covered under warranty. (Either 5 or 7 years I think.)