im curious, what is the recommended break-in period on the 04s?

 

the Mfg's suggestion is in the manual but thoughts differ at times

 

The owners manual says the first 1000 mi. you should alter your speed. In other words, don't drive a constant speed for any length of time. Also, don't tow for the first 500 mi.

 

Don't drive constant speeds at first but probably most important drive it from the get go like your going to drive it every day.

 

my dad says he doesnt know about brand new cars because there are so many new things from the last couple years. he has a 99 camry and when he got it they said for 500 miles vary the speed from like 20-70

 

ummn not to sound smart here, really, but a Camry engine and Truck engine are VERY different. Besides, you have already been given specific answers to your post. Do you actually have the truck or are you simply curious? Good Luck ...

Ok duh, I just re-read your post and you are only curious. Sorry bub.

 

Read the manual that came with the vehcile it will tell you everything you want to know. Yes the first 1000 miles vary the speeds if only a few mph, (don't drive 50 then 70 then 60 then 80 on a major highway you only need to change speeds a few MPH at a time the first 1000 miles) but do drive it like you normally do, if you floor it then floor it, if you don't usually over rev it then don't over rev it. This vehicle has a computer that will learn how you drive and adjust it's self as such you dont have to worry about blowing the motor like the old days.

 

i dont have the truck i was just curious. a few people were talking about how one of my friends blew the engine out of her truck a few years ago from flooring it with less than 100 miles on it. the conversation got me thinking and i was curious about the truck i dream of having (04 F-150 of course).

yeah i knew you dont vary the speed much going one place. i was thinking one trip you go 25, the next trip go 65 for a while, then 40, and so on

 

I just ordered my '04. I'm trading in my '03 Lightning which I'm going to miss very much. It's being driven from Denver to Omaha, NE since they couldn't find a model here with all of the options I wanted. Do you think it will be okay since more than likely they won't be varying speeds much driving it from Denver to here?

 

Sorry that last bit was to be a joke(with the road rage these days if you changed speeds that much you would hear it from other drivers) As long as you don’t red line and overly do the RPM’s at first you should be fine and good luck on getting a new 04 and if not an 04 then an 05 maybe even a Lightning.
Shouldn’t be a problem, usually one of the first things I do is take my new vehicle out for a long road trip around 600 miles or better if possible.

 

I don't think it matters, for all practical purposes. I've always been one to worry about break-in on a new vehicle, and have always been very particular about it. Most of my friends just seem to drive the **** out of them right from day one, and they don't have any problems that anyone can detect. In fact, it seems like the motors that get beat up the worst during the early days run better than those that are more carefully broken-in.

At least for motorcycle engines, there is a theory that says the best way to break it in is with frequent hard runs to redline, after taking it easy for the first 100 miles or so. This means during break-in you're mostly riding well above the traffic laws.

 

Our break-in philosophy:

Abuse the engine (or the whole car) from day one. If there are problems, then it will show up while the vehicle is under warranty.

Make it come back with the same problem at least 3 times, then you can get a new car under the lemon law.

 

When breaking in a new vehicle, altering "speed" is not so important. What you Must do is vary the engine RPM. And as already posted, dont tow with a brand new vehicle.

 

I agree totally with red 04, run it hard for the first 100-150 miles, change the oil, and your all set.