Just wondering how many miles would be considered break in on a 5.4 L? I plan on switching to a synthetic.

thanks Kirt

 

its very debatable how long you should wait to switch to synthetic. i personally plan on waiting to the 10,000 mile mark. is this the right time? i really don't know. but it seems to be the answere i see on these boards the most. i am sure more people will chime in with more of a scientific reason to back up the miles they suggest. good luck

 

5000 miles is sufficient. Which is also the recommended oil change interval. With the technology used in today's manufacturing, shorter break in periods are now the norm. I switched to synthetic motor oil at 5000.

 

Just switch at the first oil change.

Then, there's the issue of finding an approved synthetic oil for your engine... The only full synthetic 5W-20 I know of is made by Amsoil.

 

I think an engine is properly broken in at 10,000 miles, but i would probably wait until 15,000 to run synthetic.

 

What do you consider "break-in"? Meaning, stay below a certain mph, rpm's, etc.

I know with the Vette it was only 500 miles, to seat the rings, break-in the rear, etc. For this car it was based on mph and rpm's......that is staying below certain levels for the first 500 miles.


What is it for the F-150 with the 5.4?

Thanks

 

I went to Mobil1 synthetic 5w30 @ 5000kms (3000miles). I have over 50,000miles now and no problems whatsoever. Stay away from cheapo Fram filters.

I guess Amsoil is better but who can afford it? Can't buy it locally.

 

Yes you are 100% correct, I bought some Amsoil 5W20 oil throught the internet and I paid $5.25 per quart and another $7.50 for shipping for 7 quarts. The good thing, from the time you order to the time you receive the product it takes 3 working days. That is outstanding, but is very expensive.

 

lol You've been listening to the Amsoil cult too long...

 

I have a book, if I can find it, written by 2 McConnel Douglas (sp?) aerospace engineers on how to break in a new car. It states that an engine is broken in after 500-600 miles if done right. If I remember right they recommended driving under 2500 rpm and 45 mph and stay out of overdrive as it can 'lug' your engine at low speeds. You should drive varying speeds under the 45 mph limit and not go more than 1/2 throttle. As far as oil goes, Mobil 1 is factory standard on Corvette, Viper, and Porsche so I don't think you have to worry about waiting too long to switch. I would switch at your first change. This would limit the amount of dino sludge in your engine. I like to run the same oil for the life of the car. Although I'm the 4 or 5 owner of my truck with 86,000 miles I just switched to Mobil 1. This will be my first experience with a synthetic oil. If you go to www.mobil1.com and read their 'myths' about synthetics it will tell you not to worry about a break-in period.

 

On a new modern engine I would wait for a good 3000 miles before going to synthetic oil. I know that Corvettes have synthetic oil in them from the factory but, I used to change my oil in a new vehicle at 1000 miles for the first oil change. I have had a couple of engines burn oil. Now I wait for a full 3000 miles and it seems to be better.
I have rebuilt a couple of engines for old musclecars and I believe you should not go to synthetic for probably 10,000 miles. The cross hatch in the cylinders usually are deeper with an engine you rebuild yourself than the new factory engines.

 

Morning all. Great discussion about break-in periods.

The Vette ( a new C5) has a break-in period of 500 miles and it does come with Mobil 1 5W30 from the factory. The break-in fpor the Vette is keep the rpms below around 3000, vary speeds but do not exceed 55, vary rpms, no cruise-control, allow cool down periods on longer trips, and after 500 miles do whatever you want. I followewd this to a "T" and no problems.

I never followed any "break-in" with my 99 F-150 and never saw any ill effects as a result and always used DINO oil without bruning any. Who knows. I am taking it a bit easy on my new F-150 for the first 500+ miles then I will drive normally.