Break-in Period

I’m new to Porsche and this forum. I’ve done a search for previous and didn’t find anything. I hope I’m posting in the proper area and not repeating. If not, I apologize and please advise. My dealer told me about the thorough break-in that was done by the factory and said the car is good to go, not to worry about the break-in period. The manual says 2K miles, and try to keep it below 4200 RPM. An every car I’ve ever bought new, I’ve strictly followed the break in schedule in the manual. Since I have only 22K on my ’99 Vette, it will take me a while to get to 2K, and I’m dying to get it to the track. I’d appreciate knowing how many of you followed the manuals break-in and how many “Drove it like you stole it?” Thanks in advance, John

My break in "self control" lasted about 50 miles. IMHO these cars are good to go from from the factory.

John - this one probably one of the MOST discussed topics on this, or any other automotive forum - so, I'm surprised your search found nothing - if you scroll down the the bottom of this page under the "similar threads" heading, you'll find 5 other threads containing more than 60 opinions and responses to the same question. If you search some more on "break-in" I'm sure you'll find even more threads. Btw, your dealer is completely full of crap - they do not break-in the motors at the factory... they do put each motor on a dyno and run them for 5-7 minutes to make sure they run properly and put out the specified minimum hp and torque figures... that's it. brad

glickjr, Welcome to the club. Your topic is one of the most popular so I am a little surprised that your search didn't turn up pages and pages of material to read. Don't beat yourself up though. Your new and will get the hang of it. If you go to the search and enter break in and click search, you are going to get a mess. The search tool will return every thread that contains the word break or the word in . 'In' is a very popular word, so as you could imagine, those results won't help you find what you're looking for very well. Suggestion 1: Go to the search and type in "break in" and then search. Make sure you include the quotes. This will return every thread with the exact phrase inside. So it has to include the word break followed by a space and the word in . This will narrow down your results big time, but you may still get threads that are not specifically about break in. For example, maybe there is a thread about tourist delivery and someone asked, "What about break in". The search will return that thread, and this may not be what you're looking for. Suggestion 2: Want to narrow it down even further? Do the same search above, but this time click the drop box under the search criteria and select 'Search Titles Only' . This will return all threads that have the exact phrase in their title. This one will likely yield the most useful results. Suggestion 3: Some people like to throw a hyphen in there, which may limit those results. Try entering this: "break in" "break-in" That will list all threads with 'break in' or 'break-in' inside. Suggestion 4 : If you find a thread that addresses your topic, make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of the page. Down there you will find a 'Similar Threads' section. This is an automatic search that will help you find even more information. With that in mind, I will turn you loose. This is a very interesting topic with many strong opinions, some interesting and controversial. Enjoy.

I lasted 120 miles before I had my CS meet Mr. Redline. Nothing bad so far (knock on wood) I DID drive normally until I got to the 2k mile mark though - only a few redline hits, and mostly conservative driving.

break in period Man -I am going through T O R T U R E waiting for the 2k period to be over. I have hit 6k once or twice in traffic situations but have pretty much followed the manual recomendations. To make matters worse the CS gets most of its power in the 4-7 k rpm range.. Play it safe and do what they say- better safe than sorry. Enjoy your car. 07 CS bassalt black/sand 1353 miles and counting

Thanks I did not use the quotation marks. I sincerely appreciate the help. The pre broken in thing did sound too good to be true.

Ah, the voice of experience... I have to agree with Beez. Let those rings seat. He ought to know. 2k goes by soon enough. Not that you can't be "bad" every once in a while. You didn't buy it to look at it.:cheers:

glickjr, didn’t they tell you about the 100 page initiation reading you have to do when you join??? Also don’t forget that there are other things that need breaking in beside the engine ( tires , brake rotors).

Don't forget the driver too!

Brad, One other minor addition, besides running the engine up on the dyno stand, Porsche also drives each car produced on the street to test that there isn't anything wrong, some weird noise coming from the car, etc. It is only a few miles, but that too would also continue the engine break-in process. All of that being said when we were at the factory in 2002 they did tell us that by the time you get your Porsche it has for all intents and purposes been "broken in" and you should begin to drive and enjoy your Porsche immediately. I know that's not inline with what the US owner's manual says and what the attorneys say, but the gist of what I got at the factory was that they were so certain that they were building the cars so well that they believed they were ready to go "right out of the box" so to speak. I'm not going to tell someone how to break their car in, that's up to them and as you pointed out there is a LOT of reading on that subject here.

I can't speak for Finland but in 2002 in Stuttgart we were told that every car is driven and we did see cars coming out of the building and being driven off by guys they told us were test drivers. I'm sure that policy, like anything is subject to change, maybe on Mondays they drive 1 out of 10?

What makes no sense to me... I have read a lot of posts about the break in period. As we know there is a great disparity of views given on the forum. What makes absolutely NO SENSE to me is that there is a rather stringent break in period in the US, and none in GB (assuming I am correct in that). Same car and in one case you must follow specific rules for 2,000 miles, and in the second, you can basically drive it as you desire (within reason). What can possibly justify such a different position on the same car?????? Does that not indicate more of a legal/liability issue or consideration? I would REALLY like someone to satisfactorily explain the above. I am mystified by the apparent contradiction! Doobydarby

Thanks for all the opinions. I've had a chance to read the previous threads (now that I know the search "quote" secret). I think I will keep it at a moderate pace/revs for the first 500 miles or so and let it out some after that, up to 2000. I was hoping to get the car to the track this summer, I’ll have to do some serious logging of miles on my rare off days to get it up to 2,000. Given that the break-in is only a US issue, I'm surprised that its 2000 miles. The longest I ever remember on a new car purchase is 500. One other thing that may be helpful in the manual would the bedding in procedures for the brakes as procedures differ from one pad manufacture to another. John

I've been to the Stuttgart plant 2 times. Every car built there is driven on the srteets with a special red license plate & every engine is run on a dyno. I don't know about the Finland built cars either, but I'm sure every engine is run, since each one is assembled by one man. I just crossed 1200 miles on my CS. Have been observing the 2000 mile rule & things are getting more loose. I'm going to push the RPM's up a bit as the miles add up, but to the red line until 2K.

It is just as important to not lug the motor or let the engine labor uphill, down shift to a lower gear instead. It may be an internet myth that break in suggestions are US guidelines only. Someone in England have a manual handy?

UK manual states: "despite the most modern, high-precision manufacturing methods, it cannot be completely avoided that the moving parts have to "wear in" with each other. This wearing in occurs mainly in the first 3,000km (1,865miles). During the first 3,000km (1,865miles) you should: Preferably take longer trips Avoid frequent cold starts with short distance driving whenever possible Not participate in motor racing events, sports driving schools or similar Avoid high engine speeds, especially when the engine is cold." In addition to the above the manual mentions oil consumption, bedding in brake pads and rotors and running in new tyres (120miles)..... no specifics in terms of engine speeds during this, as I tend to keep cars I have looked at it from the other point of view that there must be a reason that you have the running in requirement in the states other than liability. hence at 1400mls I am still "vaguely" behaving myself but come 1865....:banana: :drivingskid:

Thanks BB. Same as US.

Santa Fe Sante Fe- I don't think the UK, as I just read it, is nearly as stringent as in the US. In essence, it says that for the first 1865 miles, you should drive the car in a reasonable manner. It stated "avoid high engine speed, especially when the engine is cold". One should always do that, no matter the age of the car (the cold part). In the USA, as you know, for the first 2,000 miles, you should not exceed 4200 rpm. That is quantifying the UK position, and seems to be making it much more stringent, in my estimation. Doobydarby PS- Thanks BB for the info.

Longer trips I believe both in the UDA and in the UK, preference is given for longer trips. Is it ok to do a lot of the break in period doing highway driving? I believe some said that you should not do that, as you remain too long in the same gear and build up heat. Couldn't one use 4th, 5th, and 6th gear in highway driving, carefully not staying in one too long? I would think that the engine would not be running too warm if you adhered to the 4200 rpm in all gears. So, if I may add this to the original post, is highway driving ok for the break in period? I would appreciate insight into that. Doobydarby

From BB: UK manual states : "despite the most modern, high-precision manufacturing methods, it cannot be completely avoided that the moving parts have to "wear in" with each other. This wearing in occurs mainly in the first 3,000km (1,865miles). During the first 3,000km (1,865miles) you should: Preferably take longer trips Avoid frequent cold starts with short distance driving whenever possible Not participate in motor racing events, sports driving schools or similar Avoid high engine speeds, especially when the engine is cold." In addition to the above the manual mentions oil consumption, bedding in brake pads and rotors and running in new tyres (120miles)..... US manual : "Despite the most modern, high-precision manufacturing methods, it cannot be completely avoided that the moving parts have to 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). That they are different sounds like another internet myth to me.

Santa Fe "PS- How about a respose to my question on highway driving above? I would really appreciate your thoghts on that one, as I think that I might make a couple of trips, early with my CS when I get it in August." oops I edited your message by mistake.

brad posted his method somewhere which was to make a nusiance out of yourself and keep varying the revs. I concur.

Dooby - Driving on the highway during the break-in period is no problem - as SF said, you need to vary the RPMs - constantly, if you can, if traffic around you will allow. I'm a break-in believer after consulting some Porsche tech experts I know. I put my car into it's first autocross at about 990 miles. A good portion of the 900 miles was on the highway, and I religiously ran the revs up and down while driving - changing gears from 6th to 5th to even 4th to keep the RPMs moving, as well as just a lot of gentle rolling on and off the gas. brad

brad Thanks for your informative answer. I really appreciate it. I will do exactly as you suggested. I plan to visit my daughter in Chicago, if all goes well. After doing some driving around here and then going to Chicago, I could be done the 2,000 mile break in period. Thanks again! Doobydarby

This would appear to me that perhapse you "US" are missing a bit of text in your manual? perhapse it should say that:- "in the first 3,000km do not exceed maximum engine speed of 4,200 rpm (revolutions per minute) especially when the engine is cold." Therefore, while they say take it easy in the first 3,000km be more careful when the engine is cold and not warmed up..... this is the norm for any car, wait unitll it is warmed up before reving the nuts off it (an S2000 thing, gota love 9000rpm screaming engine in the morning with the roof down). This could also explain why in the UK the dealers say no problems about driving to the limits when you get a new one, as long as you have let it warm up Unless a Porsche Tech could give us a definitive answer I think we have to make our own judgements as to what the manuals say and what we feel is sensible. Relatively, I have a very short journey to work so it will have (when it arrives soon) an easy start, but how long that lasts for I do not know (I expect the first trip back to Cornwall - 175 miles will see some spirited driving, although most will be 80-90 mph on the motorway. :drivingskid:

I am a strict believer in the manual as well. Why would they put that info in there if they didn't want you to follow it? I've had my CS for 4 months and have deviated from the break in guidelines on 2-3 occasions when I just needed to hear the engine let loose. All these times were over 1000 miles so it shouldn't of damaged anything. I currently have 1960 miles on my CS and can't wait until I reach that 2000 mark when I can go to some DE's and really have some fun. The weather should cooperate this weekend to allow me to reach my 2000 milestone and then I can REALLY enjoy my CS. :dance: :banana: :dance: :burnout: :drivingskid: :burnout:

You will be quite surprised at the power, angry tone, and aggressiveness of the "other engine", the one that lives above 4,200 rpms - it is a beast. :banana:

Its GO Time I just reached 2,000 miles....... Have been quite patient keeping under 4K UNTIL NOW :drivingskid: :drivingskid: :drivingskid: :drivingskid: :drivingskid:

Road miles are the easiest and friendliest miles you can put on your CS. Just lay off of the cruise control until after 2K, vary speed per brad, and your break-in will be perfect!

The car needs about 50 miles to break in the rolling components (CV / bearings, etc) outside the engine. The engine is good to go right off the lot. However, as I've mentioned several times in the past it is my opinion that the break in is NOT for your car....it is for YOU. I suggest going easy for a few hundred miles just to acclimate. You won't hurt the car hitting 7K right away, but you may very well end your day wrapped up around something that doesn't budge... Break in: car doesn't need it. You do. Paul