Hey There:

I am picking up my Black '02 L on Thursday. Can't wait! I have been reading the forum for a few weeks.

1. Any tips for engine break-in?

2. Do I need to take the L to a SVT Ford dealer only for service/repair? (I am buying in So Cal and live in Nor Cal.)

3. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

ssmike

 

Congrats on the new ride! I don't have much advice only that I have 500 miles on my new Silver L. I have been doing the usual break-in (no flooring it, trying to keep the speed under 65, etc...).

 

Congrats. You do not have to take it to an SVT dealer. In fact, you can take it to a lincoln/mercury dealer if you want.

As far a break-in you'll get every opinion in the book. I personally like to very the speed early on and use a moderate throttle; not completely WOT. At 800 miles I changed the oil and hit the dyno.
You will enjoy the drive home I'm sure.

 

Congrats! You'll be smiling for some time to come. I kept off the gas for about 1K, changed the oil and then slowly started increasing the power for the next 500 miles. My opinion, for what it's worth...

 

For what it's worth........I stayed out of the high end of the boost for 4 or 500 miles, varying my interstate speed(didn't use 'cruise-control'). I would 3/4 floor it every once in a while.

At 1,000 miles, I changed the oil, using Motorcraft's 5W20 and their 820s filter. I like to get the 'left-overs' out of the factory's original oil. At 4,000 miles, I changed to a full synthetic(see sig.) and a different filter. I change out the synthetic every 5-6,000 miles.

Mine is a daily driver and a 1/4 miler racer with no problems and that's with 27,400 miles on it today.

Have fun--stay safe.

Dan

 

Mine is black also! I varied the engine speed on the long ride home. Worst thing to do on a new engine is just set the cruise at one speed for a long time. You don't want to establish a wear pattern at just one speed. The factory will tell you a breakin isn't required, but they will be happy to sell you a new engine just after the warranty ends too.
I changed the oil at 232 miles and it was UGLY! Had a ton of metal particles floating in the pan and was green in color (wish I took pictures). Second oil change at 500 miles looked much better. Then after the second change I took it out and saw what it could do.
You can have it serviced at any dealer, they sell the supercharged Harley at all Ford dealerships.

Good luck!

 

If you baby it new... It will be slower than it should be...

Hard breakins prove if anything is wrong.... Have fun with it and dont be scared to get down on it. Every car I have had new has been broke in hard. I will say most of my cars have even been faster than others like it stock or with the mods I have had. My father is a life long mechanic, even when I was racing my 3 wheeler at age 6 I was told to break it in hard son, it will run better.... Just my thoughts from what I was brought up on.

 

You will love it - changed the oil at 500 and 1000 and use synthetic only. Now change at every 2K. You'll love the power and speed and handling and then after a month or so, it wont seem so fast anymore and you'll be looking for more. Have fun - be safe

 

Welcome aboard...Your gonna love it. I pulled out of the dealer into total grid-lock, bumper to bumper traffic for the first 30 minutes Finally got to one of those 15 lane toll-booths, dropped my quarters in for the E-ride and laid waste to the pavement Truck gets stronger every day

 

Break it in the same way you intend to drive it, Go find a few chevrolets to whack, I had mine at the drag strip 2 days and 150 miles after I purchased it, 60 of the 150 were the miles between home and the drag strip and the truck ROCKS.It still doesnt have a lot of miles on it because I only live about a mile and a half from work and I keep it in the garage when the salt is out. My dad was a hard core street racer in the 50s and 60s and he always told me the same thing, If your gonna drive it hard break it in hard. Enjoy your new Truck.

 

I stayed away from WOT for about the first 2 miles....

 

I stayed away from full throttle for two days

 

I managed to keep the RPMs below 4000 until the odo said 150. Then I drove it like I stole it :-D

 

Stay away from WOT until your engine warms up.

 

Break it IN, d00d ... It's under WARRANTY !!!