Break In Period

So…I’m quite pleased to be the proud owner of a 992 Targa 4 GTS with 123miles. We all know what the manual says regarding break in period. However, the sales manager and service manager all say, drive it like you stole it. Common sense says take it a bit easy for the first 500 miles ish..but I shouldn’t panic if the tach hits 5k from time to time. Interested in your views…

4-5k for the first 1k miles. Follow the manual. No read line. You want to drop that 1k mile oil out before you “steal it” ask the dealer stooge if that’s how he would drive is new hard earned 911 right away.. dealers are sometimes the worst enemy

Thank you …. Would you stick with the 4000rpm or given red line is 7600 or so, is 4500 and 5k ok ?

I watched a Chris Harris 992 / GT3 video, they gave him the car with like 10miles.. he drove the car in the break in mode for 1k miles, then they changed oil and checked things out and it was test time… it’s on YouTube. 4-5k…That’s what I would do…

Why would you believe a salesman over Porsche engineers, almost ever automobile manufacturer, race teams and just anyone with any common sense? The best thing you can do for your car is break in. If you break your car, you buy another one, salesman wins. Salesman wants to tell you what you want to hear. It's a porsche , built for abuse....then why does Porsche tell you to break in in? Ignore that idiots out there that abuse their cars and sell them in 12 months or the guys that abused them and got by blaming some issue on Porsche quality. I did many stupid things in my youth that should've killed me and just because I am here typing this, doesn''t mean I would tell you oh, look I did all those stupid things and survived so just do them. Break in is not just about the engine, it's about hundreds of components of different alloys that expand and contract at different rates. Break allows for an easing in of all of these components to reduce the likelihood of damage. No it is not religion. Religion is based solely on belief without regard for science. Guys that say don't believe the engineers and people that build the cars, believe this great charismatic guy that sells Porsches. I'm glad you asked, because it means you have some sense to inquire. Normally aspirated combustion cars are going away. Treat the one you have with some mechanical empathy and if in doubt, believe the science and the men with engineering degrees that built these that have put in black and white...the best thing you can do for your car is break it in. Finally be skeptical of snake oil salesmen that tell you that when a piston in new it has the most friction and best to drive it hard to force it bed.....It's not just about the piston..it's about everything, gears, cv joints, bearings, brakes, transmission, clutches, brakes and so much more. This friction myth came from a motorcycle engine guy talking about just the motorcycle piston with cast iron sleeves....your porsche and most modern cars are not even using cast iron sleeves! Even if all you cared about was piston seating, it is not even the same construction as your modern aluminum block with metal added for the bore. Congrats on having one of the finest internal combustion cars in the world. ..Now be a good caretaker, do the Porsche recommended 2000 mile break-in, of it and listen to the right people. break-in is hard for sure. I get it, I just finished my 2000 mile break in recently and was tough, but then doing the right thing usually is. Best wishes and congratulations on owning an amazing driving machine.

Like I said… don’t listen to a dealer… both those clowns from the dealer should be slapped (repeatedly) for suggesting such an act. I wouldn’t do that to any new car. Your best chance for bore scoring is probably in its early stages if ran hard.. thank god for a warranty.. if don’t already know this, a rebuilt motor will set you back 25-30k….

Break it in… save the spirited driving for later

Top down and some rides along the shoreline..I hear you…

The drive mode isnt relevant as long as you are keeping the max RPM below its threshold. Also, engine break in isn't about any specific number of miles, although commonly referenced as such. Its about the amount of time the various mechanical parts spend at various RPMs. In other words, setting the car to cruise at 70 MPH/2500 RPM for 1,000 miles on the highway is not a proper break in procedure. You want to vary the RPM/load on the car with different gears during the break in process so the engine spends some time in multiple ranges, typically working your way up higher in the range as time goes on. Never let the car idle to "warm up" even after the break in. Start the car and drive off to get the oil pressure up as soon as possible, keeping the RPM levels in check (less than 4K) until the oil is fully up temp, then you can start driving it more aggressively at higher RPM values

Excellent insights. Thank you

I’ve heard Andreas P. say that it’s advised to drive the car under the max revs for the first 1k.. and that was for all H6 motors. Yes you can get on it, but don’t see if motor trends test figures are accurate 😂 Flat6 MS also told me the samething with the built 3.8

My McLarens simply suggested not exceeding 155 mph for the first 3,000 miles. I like that attitude.

Yes, me too. Perhaps I need to pick one up as I break in the porsche .

" Normally aspirated combustion cars are going away." If you think the multibillion, if not trillion dollar petroleum industry is going to rollover and play dead in favor of electric cars you are delusional.

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My two cents is I read many times where journalists who were reviewing Caymans or even 911 ’s would find it surprising to add oil after 1000 miles, but Porsche said it was normal. I bought my 981 GTS new from Dallas and drove it to Phoenix. The mechanic said exactly what others have stated on this thread. Keep RPM below 3500 until 1k miles, no cruise control but rather purposely change RPM when on the freeway by varying speed. Slowing increase RPM from 1k to 2k miles up to 4500, then 5500 or so forth with full 7800 at 2k miles. I did exactly that and the car practically burns zero oil after almost 60k miles. I drive car extremely hard and never once have had to put oil in even with recommended 10k oil change interval.

Appreciate the input. Thank you

Hey guys. Not trying to hijack this thread but add to it. My buddy just got his 992 Targa 4 GTS and we went through break in and driving it on a video we made for our new youtube channel. He waited the full 2000 miles and it was brutal. But figured if he was going to do it at all, to do the recommended 2k. Not sure I would've been able to last. But here's the video if you want to check it out. If you liked it let us know and subscribe and what not.