Well, I think the only way we'll ever know the true way to "break-in" an engine is to speak to an actual Toyota Engineer. So many people have their own opinions, but none are of the designers of engines. Regardless of race experience, ownership experience, near-death experience, etc.... I think a motor engineer would know best.

As for warming up the car, I read that the best thing to do is kinda like what Chachunka said is just to start the car and drive easily on it. The problem with long warmups is that people tend to drive normal on them when the rest of the car isn't at running temp (suspension, axles, etc.). With you engine at operating temp, it can run normai but it puts unneeded stress on the rest of the vehicle. That being said... it wasn't an engineer, but it makes sense.

 

I'm gonna break it in just like my buddy did his STi...

Drive it off the lot, put in some synthetic. Run it hard to 100miles then baby it for another 900. Good to go. The hard running will set the piston rings firmly.

 

After I start the tC up I wait for the RPM's to drop below 1k...then I keep it under 3k (w/ no hard acceleration) until it's at normal operating temp.

I'm 34 y/o and have followed this routine w/ all my new cars...so far it's worked great...I tend to keep my cars for quite a while, typically 130k + miles, and I'm sure this routine has helped...

BTW the manual states that there is no need to let the car idle to warm up...just drive conservatively until it's warmed up.

Cheers and Happy Motoring,
Josh :D

 

Wow, I wish there were more girls like you... well anyway, in reply to a previous post about which port... it was the Baltimore one in MD... I dont know the shipping co's name... but I do know that Scions dont come in at that port... phew. Also, about warming up the car... I suggest you dont drive it hard at first... I had a 2002 camry with the 2AZ motor, and I drove it hard at first... only to find the motor shaking like CRAZY at around 30,000 miles (what do you expect from a then, 21 year old)... sold that thing before it died... annnd the motor started making terrible sounds... so Im guessing for the tC, take it easy at first... every motor is different, some need to be broken in hard, others soft...