What's the proper way to break in your new engine?
 

I am not sure how many miles or how the proper way is to break your new trucks motor in. I have 45 miles what should I be doing?

Just drive it. There is no more break in period. You do not even have break in oil.

i would just drive it but i would wait a couple hundred mile before i would tow anything heavy

Check out your owners manual. It does not say much about a break-in period but it does specifically say not to tow anything for the first 1,000 miles.

I have heard the best thing you can do is just to vary the operating conditions...meaning don't get on a highway and set it on cruise at 65 MPH for the first 1,000 miles you put on it. This will naturally happen if you do city driving but if you do a lot of highway driving it might be a bit more challanging.

I have also heard of folks doing the first oil change before the recommended interval - like at 500 miles or 1000 miles. Since everything is new there is a good chance of more crap floating around in the system as all of the parts "break-in". In the maintenance guide it says to do it every 7,500 unless you drive in adverse conditions (trailer towing, lots of start/stops, etc) then it recommends every 5K.

So...short story - drive it, don't tow with it the first 1K miles. :coffee:

Two schools of thought. First is to run it hard, getting the moving parts to work with each other and the other is to gently drive the truck.

The owners manual states not to tow anything within the 1st 500 miles. Other than that, drive it the way you like for break-in period.

On Sundays be a Sunday driver and take it easy. Rest of the week... Drive it like you stole it. My dealer gave me a free service at 3000 miles so that is when I will make the first oil change and checks. After that it will be every 7500 miles since that is the Maint. Plan I purchased.

I just used some linseed oil and an ice hammer. the engine is really soft to the touch now...totally broken in.

;)

Here's another question along those lines.

Anytime you replace your brake pads there is a method to breaking them in. But I have never done it on a new vehicle and never had a problem. So do you really need to break in new pads when changing them?

Get my truck tonight. So later this weekend I will post a pic that will show strong clues on how to "break in" a new vehicle. :rocker:

Don't baby the truck, drive it like you would normally drive. Don't tow much for the first 500 to 1k miles, don't use the cruise control for the first 1k miles, you want to vary the engine rpm for the first 1k to break in the engine and transmission.

Looks like there are a few differing opinions on when a trailer can be towed. Here is what my owner's manual states - I picked up an '09 Lariat Crew 4x4 48 hours ago.

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE

"Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles of new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the moving parts a chance to break in. Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles before towing a trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer..."

It can't be much clearer than that.:lurk:

Am I ok to go off roading and use my 4x4 and locker? Or would you wait a little.

If it was me I would wait a bit - especially if you were going to use 4 low as that kicks the rpms up a bit. But thats just my opinion!

I do use the cruise on mine but don't set at same speed all the time and don't travel long distances and haven't towed anything yet. I am almost to a 1,000 miles now.

Oh bummer.. I wouldn't be doing anything crazy though I just want to try out the 4x4 since this is my first 4x4 truck. How long should I wait?