Guys,
Just purchased a new F150 Platinum and was curious if there were any comments or recommendations on proper break-in period for the motor?

 

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 (1,600 km) 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 (1,600 km) before towing a trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter. Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since these additives may prevent piston ring seating. See Engine oil in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter for more information on oil usage.

Taken from the manual.

 

I always believe a hard break in was best and have read supporting evidence. You do need to vary rpms but don't be afraid to get into it. I picked up my Platinum last Tuesday and have not been babying it at all. The transmission is already improved quite a bit.
That being said I wouldn't tow anything heavy right away but other than that drive it like you stole it.

 

Thanks. I am glad to hear about transmission improving. Mine did appear to be a little it "jerky" when starting off from a dead start.

Does anyone bleive it is a good idea to change the oil after the first 500 miles?

 

I started a simlilar thread in the V8 Engine section yesterday. DYNOTECH had a very helpful response...

https://www.f150online.com/forums/v8...ak-period.html

 

Many years ago I worked for a bearing maker .One of the activities in the area was Soap Box Derby the simplest car . Some of the bearing engineers had their kids in the Derby and they broke-in the bearings by running them with a power drill . That made a difference !! If that worked what do you think about far more complex machinery like an F-150 ??
My F-150 had smoke on start-up , that disappeared after a couple of thousand miles - something seated in. Take it easy for the first few thousand miles and try to use the entire rev range.

 

its not only the engine your breaking in you have your trans ,brakes etc put a few miles on it before you tow and i changed my oil at 500 miles imo a hard break in is not the way to go as dynotech mentioned COMMON SENSE its a big chunk of money you put out for your new truck.

 

I think if you break it in hard, you'll end up with a broken down truck instead of a broken in truck.

 

I agree with taking it easy. You are also breaking in the ring/pinion. Also, if you have a 4x4, don't romp it off road right after the engine and trans are broken in. The transfer case and front diff aren't as broken in yet, so take it easy in 4x4 for a bit too. I waited until 3000 miles before the first oil change. It's personal preferance. I think anything more than that for the first change is probably pushing it, but these are not like older motors where you need to run 30weight for 100, change, run 500, change, 1000 and change then every 3000 after that. Tighter tollerences should result in fewer shavings in the oil during breaking in.

 

By hard break in, I don't mean driving like a fool. Just drive it like you will normally without holding a steady RPM for too long. And once in a while get into it to make the motor work and set rings etc.

I've done this to every new vehicle I've had (3 GM and this Ford) and all have run great.
My BIL and I bought the same snowmachines one year. He babied his and I mashed the throttle constantly against his advice. My sled was consistantly faster than his by quite a bit and it drove him crazy. I've used this method ever since.
Your mileage may vary.

 

danc,

As you likely know, there are two schools of thought with respect to two strokes. Some say break it in real slow, others ride it like you stole it. I raced my personal watercraft and didn't have time most of the time to break them in "slowly". I rode the crap out of them. They all ran VERY well. Some babied theirs with mixed results.

I would think these new vehicles don't requrie a ton of breakin, just being smart and not going crazy.

 

Not to start a war but, thoughts/recommendations on oil filters? NAPA/WIX? Motocraft?

 

I personally changed the oil at 2500 miles. I am just about to 10k miles and am gonna now switch to Amsoil and an Amsoil filter. Amsoil filters use a synthetic element vs. a paper element.

 

I switched my oil at 750mi, since the truck was an 09 and sitting in the lots for almost a year. Running Amsoil 0w-20 full synth with the EaO filter, plan on going 15000/1yr on it before changes.

 

no modern Ford engine require a break in period, so stop worrying and just drive your truck.