Middle East answer to Break-in period

Today I dropped my turbo for service to check a knock sound at the rear bottom of the car on left turns and u-turns. I could hear it and feel it on the arm rest too. The car has 1405 km on the clock. Anyway, when I took the mechanic along to hear the sound, I asked him about the 3000 km break in period. And to my surprise here's what he said: 1) they don't change oil at 3000 km or filters. They just do a general check on the car. They never did oil change on earlier models and they don't do for any current Porsche model whether SUV, sedan or a sportcar. 2) the above is as per specifications/requirements set by Porsche Germany. 3) when I asked about inspecting the oil at 3000 km in case of anything there, I was told the break in period is only to make sure everything about the car is working fine and for the driver to get used to the car, it has nothing to do with the engine itself. When I receive the car I'll throw the break in ghost out of the window. My question to you ladies & gentlemen, does your dealer change oil @ 3000 km after break in?

Hope it turns out to nothing or something trivial. Indeed: Never had one, so no.

Today I went to pick my turbo, it wasn't ready. However, when they thought it was ready and was about to drive away with it, the service manager told me they had serviced the car for me. My response was as follows: - does that mean I don't need to bring it back after the break in period? - what's the break in period? - the 3000 km? - what for? - I mean don't you check the car after 3000 km? - no! The service for your car is for 15,000 km intervals. - what about the check up? - what check up? - aren't we supposed to drive the car below 4200 revs on the first 3000 km then have the car checked up. - feel free to drop the car anytime you want for check up before the 15,000 km first service. - so I shouldn't limit my driving to 4200 revs? He laughed and answered me, "no."

I believe the traditional approach is to drive lightly for the first couple thousand miles (or KM) and then check everything and change the oil. The theory was that this break-in period would smooth out any rough edges between the internal engine parts and then the oil change would remove anything that resulting from the process. But I have heard that some of the higher-end manufacturers put new engines on stands in the factory and run them for awhile for this purpose prior to installation in the new car. I have no idea if Porsche does this or not. Also, new processes may result in more precise parts that don't need a break in - but again I don't know. The point is that, depending on the manufacturing and test processes (and not black art), the break-in period may be a valid thing to do but it is also possible that on a modern, high-end car, break-in is not required and has no effect. Also, I've read that some manufactures recommend a longer-time between service just because it is a selling point for the car rather than as an engineering recommendation. Seems like you're getting contradictory instructions. If it were me, I would just follow the recommended maintenance listed in the owners manual (or better). That way you'll have a record of having followed Porsche recommendations if you (god forbid) have some kind of engine failure.

It's been a while so the memory is pretty foggy but I think my 944S2 had a scheduled inspection and oil change around that mileage. I haven't seen the requirement on anything since. I've never gotten consistent answers on break in from a dealer. Some it's don't worry they're run in at the factory. Others are oh yes you've got to follow it or bad things happen. I can say that my CS loosened up and displayed a decrease in fuel consumption in the first 2k miles. Even if not specified I still change oil on a new engine around that time frame. Maybe manufacturing has improved to leave less debris behind but things like piston rings, chains and sprockets etc still run in and leave debris in the oil. Will it hurt anything to not change? Probably not but like chicken soup it won't hurt either and may help. It takes much less fine debris to plug a filter than larger sizes. Maybe the break in is on the driver. Les

Sorry your car had a problem, and then wasn't ready. I changed the oil on mine at 2000 mi. The Indy cut open the oil filter and we saw many tiny shiny metal particles in there. The lab gave the oil a clean bill of health, but I'm very glad I did do the early change. Can't supply any hard data, though.

Thank you gentlemen for your input. I know some change oil on 2000 miles (3000 km). But I just wanted to know if it's mandatory by the dealer or not. For me, the car has so much power for the street (not complaining). Therefore I don't think you can drive like a normal person above the break in rev limits in this car. As for the Launch Control, it can wait for extra couple of weeks... that is if I can find a street with enough stretch for take off. I'll do the oil change on my expense when the time comes hitting the 3000 km just to be on the safe side. Thank you guys... Keep sharing your country's dealer demand, if they change or not oil at 3000 km. I'm looking forward to hear from those in Europe, USA, Asia and Down Under too. So I'll just continue to drive the car with less concerns about the 4200 revs, which has actually been violated few times already.

Dealer here does not request oil change at 2000 mi, JSYK.

I followed the US break in instructions and then changed the oil and filter at 2000 miles. Afterward, I let 'er rip. There is no mention of a scheduled oil change before 10,000 miles in the manual. It's just a habit for me with a brand new car. Break it in, change the oil, let 'er rip. - Patrick

Is there any written paper from PORSCHE that recommends a change after 3000km? If not why not to change it anyway while the car at the dealership just for your own peace of mind. I bought my Cayman second hand so I dont know, but both my Volkswagen and Mazda had an Oil change after the first 1000km as per the dealer recommendation.

When I asked about 2000 mile oil change, the dealer's response was "waste of money."

I think some of you folks are living in the past. . You don't need early oil changes these days. Modern engines are made with extremely high tolerances and the wear is a tiny fraction of what they used to be during the inital "break-in". Any wear bits or metal particles that enter the oil during the supposed break-in is collected by the filter. That's why your car has an oil filter. As some of the dealers have said, it's a waste of money. If you need an oil change to satisfy your emotional well being then it is worth it. I didn't comply to any US break-in process - just the European manual recommendations. I dissected my oil filter at 10,000 miles and could not find any metal shavings at all. None, even after rinsing the filter in water.

There are a million posts about breaking in and oil change. My dealer does not change oil at 3,000 km. I had the filter and oil inspected at 1,500 km, both clean, changed the filter but not the oil.

metal after 3100m

How would you inspect and change the filter without changing the oil?,

Hassaan what does the owner's manual say....for your car it's probably different than mine, just curious to see what Porsche says officially!

Break in hints for the first 2,000 miles (3,000 kilometers) The following tips will be helpful in obtaining optimum performance from your new Porsche. Despite the most modern, high-precision manufacturing methods, the moving parts must still wear in with each other. This wearing-in occurs mainly in the first 2,000 miles (3,000 km). Therefore: Preferably take longer trips. Avoid frequent cold starts with short-distance driving whenever possible. Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops. Do not exceed maximum engine speed of 4,200 rpm (revolutions per minute). Do not run a cold engine at high rpm either in Neutral or in gear. Do not let the engine labor, especially when driving uphill. Shift to the next lower gear in time (use the most favorable rpm range). Never lug the engine in high gear at low speeds. This rule applies at all times, not just during the break-in period. Do not participate in motor racing events, sports driving schools, etc. during the first 2,000 miles (3,000 kilometers). There may be a slight stiffness in the steering, gear-shifting or other controls during the break-in period which will gradually disappear.

That in a nutshell is what my owners manual says............. I did follow it, I'm a creature of habit.