Breaking in a New Car

[houndman]

what's the latest theory on breaking them in? Last I remember was no
sustained high speeds for 1K mi, or something like that. May be
picking up a car 120mi away, and the Interstate would be quicker, but
I'm thinking secondary roads, and maybe stopping and letting it cool
down often. Don't need no head gasket blowing.(((

VF

 

[Jim Stewart]

what's the latest theory on breaking them in? Last I remember was no
sustained high speeds for 1K mi, or something like that. May be
picking up a car 120mi away, and the Interstate would be quicker, but
I'm thinking secondary roads, and maybe stopping and letting it cool
down often. Don't need no head gasket blowing.(((

I'd stay on the main road and not give it
a second thought.

We've never really worried about break in
other than being meticulous about the first
couple oil changes. Moderately hard running
should seat the rings better than babying
it.

The last new car we bought was my wife's WRX.
Since it had been on the lot as a demo for
a couple hundred miles, we can only guess
how it had been driven

 

[AS]

AFAIK the procedure continues to be the same.

I would jump on the interstate but would change the speed up and down
from the 40 or so interstate minimun speed all the way to 70 or so,
avoiding a constant speed.

I continue to think that the initial 1000 miles are critical for all
components, including pistons, bearings, rings, cylinder, transmission,
etc etc., so I would baby it as specified in the owners manual. The
surfaces of all materials that slide over something else will be lapped
during the break in period.

Congrats on your new car

Good luck

 

[houndman]

AFAIK the procedure continues to be the same.

I would jump on the interstate but would change the speed up and down
from the 40 or so interstate minimun speed all the way to 70 or so,
avoiding a constant speed.

I continue to think that the initial 1000 miles are critical for all
components, including pistons, bearings, rings, cylinder, transmission,
etc etc., so I would baby it as specified in the owners manual. The
surfaces of all materials that slide over something else will be lapped
during the break in period.

Congrats on your new car

Good luck






- Show quoted text -

It's Not Sube Yet, till I pay for it, and get it.

What is strange, I am planing on upping my Ins coverage. With an AWD
car? Guess I'm not that confident, but maybe because I plan to
disconnect the ABS and air bags.))

VF

 

[Frank]

It's Not Sube Yet, till I pay for it, and get it.

What is strange, I am planing on upping my Ins coverage. With an AWD
car? Guess I'm not that confident, but maybe because I plan to
disconnect the ABS and air bags.))

VF

Owner's manual should tell you - if you can read. You don't seem too
bright to me
Frank

 

[houndman]

Owner's manual should tell you - if you can read. You don't seem too
bright to me
Frank- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

DUH... gota a manuell I can peruze mo on. Ty idn't ive me oen wen I
ent to ook at the ars. I have factory shop manual. Will that tell me?
Didn't think so. ..

You must like air bags and ABS. Not Me!!

 

[Frank]

DUH... gota a manuell I can peruze mo on. Ty idn't ive me oen wen I
ent to ook at the ars. I have factory shop manual. Will that tell me?
Didn't think so. ..

You must like air bags and ABS. Not Me!!

In my Forester manual it's under Driving Tips - Chapter 8. My car's 4
years old but calls for keeping rpms under 4,000 and not driving at
constant speed for first 1,000 miles.

I do like airbags and ABS. Airbags in my first Forester may have saved
me from being hospitalized when dingbat in PT Cruiser hit me head on.
All I had was bruise from seat belt but she had to stay in hospital.
OTOH both airbags going off probably contributed into car's being
totaled which is what happens when repair estimate approaches blue book
value.

 

[Bonehenge (B A R R Y)]

I'm sure all the guys who dislike ABS think they can brake more
effectively in an emergency situation.

Betcha only, oh, I'll be generous--maybe 10% actually can.

If ABS wasn't an advantage, it wouldn't be illegal in certain racing
bodies. <G>

 

[Todd H.]

You must like air bags and ABS. Not Me!!

I'm sure all the guys who dislike ABS think they can brake more
effectively in an emergency situation.

Betcha only, oh, I'll be generous--maybe 10% actually can.

 

[houndman]

If ABS wasn't an advantage, it wouldn't be illegal in certain racing
bodies. <G>

If ABS is illegal in racing, does that mean it is an advantage, and
they do they want drivers to crash into each other??)) I Think they
might not feel it is better, or they would all have it. Wonder why
FWD models are made to into RWD in race cars? What about air bags.??
Surviving 200mph crashes without them, and a 5 or 6point harness
sounds safe to me.

I put seat belts in an old car when they started coming out in new
ones. I used to add all the police options when buying a new car, like
brakes and suspension parts, and opted for oversized brakes with no
power assist, because the brake boost made them too sensitive. Thank
god that cars are now made to have more feel in steering and brakes,
and ride firmer, which I find more comfortable, and less fatiguing.

VF

 

[houndman]

I'm sure all the guys who dislike ABS think they can brake more
effectively in an emergency situation.

Betcha only, oh, I'll be generous--maybe 10% actually can.

In 45 yrs of driving I only hit one car, a young girl who hit her
brakes, and looked like she was going to stop at a 1 way stop sign,
but came out behind a parked car right in front of me.

I always went for the biggest brakes available on a car, and tires
that gripped in the rain, or I drove accordingly. I passed on buying a
84-86' Mustang SVO that I am still looking at 20yrs later, because
Ford put GYear Gatorbacks on it, and they were terrible in the rain.
After owing a car that had Great brakes, I bought a set of cheap pads,
because the car was old, and it never stopped so well. Now I want pads
that wear out fast, and stop me car lengths shorter when applying the
pedal like the harder pads need. First time I stopped with them at
speed, I stopped 6 lengths shorter than I used to. They don't last as
long but Sure DO Stop.

Coming off an off ramp of an interstate that was slushy, but iced
from braking I doubt that ABS would have helped, Since I Read that
they Don't stop as fast on ice which I Thought was their Main
advantage. With a car braking like mad in front of me, because a car
ahead was sideways, I had NO traction, and turning the wheel did
nothing. I had a choice of trying to grind the fender of my new car
off on the medial strip, or taking out the 55gal drums narrowing the
lane. I opted for the drums and inched over onto unslicked snow or
sleet, and luckily didn't have to mess up my car, because the cars
ahead got moving.

Give me BIG brakes, and Good tires, and I'll take my chances, AND I
Like to be able to Lock the wheels When I want to.)) We can debate
whether hard pads against metal rotors that generate gas, will stop a
car faster than 3-5K lbs pushing down or rubber tires grinding against
asphalt or concrete. Since I keep reading that Non ABS cars will stop
shorter, I think grinding rubber is better. Being able to steer while
braking doesn't sound like much advantage when rollovers are higher
with ABS, and with non ABS you can choose.

VF

 

[Bugalugs]

In 45 yrs of driving I only hit one car, a young girl who hit her
brakes, and looked like she was going to stop at a 1 way stop sign,
but came out behind a parked car right in front of me.

I always went for the biggest brakes available on a car, and tires
that gripped in the rain, or I drove accordingly. I passed on buying a
84-86' Mustang SVO that I am still looking at 20yrs later, because
Ford put GYear Gatorbacks on it, and they were terrible in the rain.
After owing a car that had Great brakes, I bought a set of cheap pads,
because the car was old, and it never stopped so well. Now I want pads
that wear out fast, and stop me car lengths shorter when applying the
pedal like the harder pads need. First time I stopped with them at
speed, I stopped 6 lengths shorter than I used to. They don't last as
long but Sure DO Stop.

Coming off an off ramp of an interstate that was slushy, but iced
from braking I doubt that ABS would have helped, Since I Read that
they Don't stop as fast on ice which I Thought was their Main
advantage. With a car braking like mad in front of me, because a car
ahead was sideways, I had NO traction, and turning the wheel did
nothing. I had a choice of trying to grind the fender of my new car
off on the medial strip, or taking out the 55gal drums narrowing the
lane. I opted for the drums and inched over onto unslicked snow or
sleet, and luckily didn't have to mess up my car, because the cars
ahead got moving.

Give me BIG brakes, and Good tires, and I'll take my chances, AND I
Like to be able to Lock the wheels When I want to.)) We can debate
whether hard pads against metal rotors that generate gas, will stop a
car faster than 3-5K lbs pushing down or rubber tires grinding against
asphalt or concrete. Since I keep reading that Non ABS cars will stop
shorter, I think grinding rubber is better. Being able to steer while
braking doesn't sound like much advantage when rollovers are higher
with ABS, and with non ABS you can choose.

VF

And how was that statistic qualified ??

It can also be said that more cars with 4 wheels rollover that those
with 3 wheels. Even though 3 wheels would appear to be more unstable.

 

[houndman]

Where do you live?

LOL..why, you want to avoid me on the road??

I live in Philly, and debating whether to fill the hollow spaces
behind the bumper covers so the Sube doesn't get torn up bumpers and
busted tail lights like other cars, including my old Chevy, because
people can't judge when pulling out of parallel parking spots. Got
into an argument with a guy I know who said, You Have to hit the
bumpers, when I commented how many times his must have been hit,
because of all the missing paint on his rear bumpers, so I Guess He
stops After he hits them also. I try to avoid all contact, and most
people drive automatics. No wonder I want a 5M. I guess that was the
motivation to build a car that Parks Itself. Today's cars are SO good
they need Avoidance Radar. Night Vision I can see, so you don't hit
deer or moose in the dark, but Avoidance Radar?? A breathilizer
ignition switch should be First on the list of features.

VF

 

[David]

Give me BIG brakes, and Good tires, and I'll take my chances, AND I
Like to be able to Lock the wheels When I want to.)) We can debate
whether hard pads against metal rotors that generate gas, will stop a
car faster than 3-5K lbs pushing down or rubber tires grinding against
asphalt or concrete. Since I keep reading that Non ABS cars will stop
shorter, I think grinding rubber is better. Being able to steer while
braking doesn't sound like much advantage when rollovers are higher
with ABS, and with non ABS you can choose.

VF

Where do you live?

 

[Jim Stewart]

It's Not Sube Yet, till I pay for it, and get it.

What is strange, I am planing on upping my Ins coverage. With an AWD
car? Guess I'm not that confident, but maybe because I plan to
disconnect the ABS and air bags.))

I think you might be happier with a Honda.

 

[Bonehenge (B A R R Y)]

If ABS is illegal in racing, does that mean it is an advantage, and
they do they want drivers to crash into each other??))

No, not having it puts more emphasis on driver skill, resulting in
slower overall speeds.

If nobody has it, everybody goes slower.

 

[Bonehenge (B A R R Y)]

Wonder why
FWD models are made to into RWD in race cars?

Handling, especially drifting. Not to mention that a high powered car
squats onto the rear wheels during acceleration. You also notice
that AWD is banned by some sanctioning bodies.

What about air bags.??
Surviving 200mph crashes without them, and a 5 or 6point harness
sounds safe to me.

I'm all for serious harnesses, but it's hard to reach the cupholder
without an inertial lock. <G>

 

[houndman]

Handling, especially drifting. Not to mention that a high powered car
squats onto the rear wheels during acceleration. You also notice
that AWD is banned by some sanctioning bodies.


I'm all for serious harnesses, but it's hard to reach the cupholder
without an inertial lock. <G>

don't drink & drive.)) I like keeping my eyes on the road and my hands
on the wheel. When I'm driving, I'm driving

I plan to leave the 3 point belts for neighborhood driving. One
concern is, like when a friend fell asleep at the wheel, and ran into
a medial strip that was across the roadway, to funnel traffic to the
other side of the road during construction . It was like he hit a wall
at speed. He wasn't wearing any belts, and said he might be dead or
more seriously injured than he was, because he said the steering wheel
wound up in the back seat. He slid under the dash and busted up both
knees.

I'm lookig at cam lock harneses, which should be easy to unlock and
lean over, if something is headed for my head or mouth, like a sip of
something.

Called Ins co today for premiums, and thay asked if the car had ABS
and air bags. Yes.. & Yes..)) Odd that they want you to have them but
they Claim they don't help. Oh, well...

VF

VF

 

[houndman]

Handling, especially drifting. Not to mention that a high powered car
squats onto the rear wheels during acceleration. You also notice
that AWD is banned by some sanctioning bodies.


I'm all for serious harnesses, but it's hard to reach the cupholder
without an inertial lock. <G>

LOL.. Renault Le Car's squat when accelerating. More the Front Lifts.
That taught me about the traction of FWD cars, and accelerating from a
stop when I saw it, especially with slick surfaces.

Yea, Idealy I guess I'd want the rear wheels only driven for
acceleration, All driven for conering, and the fronts only for
cruising, and all wheels for passing. I'll have a test bed to try it
on.))

VF

 

[houndman]

No, not having it puts more emphasis on driver skill, resulting in
slower overall speeds.

If nobody has it, everybody goes slower.

and I thought Restrictor Plates were what lowerd the speeds. Learn
something new every day.) ) )

VF