A post in another thread prompted this question.

As there is a specific recommendation in the manual on how to drive a new F-150 for the 1st 1000 miles/kms or so, I’m wondering whether those who seem to have had a lot of issues early on were either ignorant of the recommendation, or maybe purposefully ignored it and maybe drove in a manner that was not good for the truck.

I certainly am NOT casting aspersions. I read many posts about problems early on, yet I’ve had mine for just over a year now with absolutely no problems, pretty much following the manual’s recommendation. If there is a proveable correlation, it would seem to me that this is something Ford, and especially it’s sales people, should really be stressing the importance of to new buyers.

 

Seeking answers on a forum isn't going to prove any correlation. What you're going to get is a few saying "drive it like it's the last day and it won't hurt it" comments. There are a handful that have issues early on.

It boggles my mind when people buy things and never read the manual, especially on a $50,000+ vehicle.

Follow the manual.

 

@Ricktwuhk

you would be simply amazed at the amount of phone calls i get here at the dealer with simple questions that would be answered by RTFM

 

No I wouldn't, because the average person is not intelligent.

My mother had a 2012 Fusion (recently replaced with a 2019 Fusion Hybrid). On a visit a few years back, after she had owned the vehicle for a few years, she remarked how she wished she had cooled and heated seats. Of course she did, and not only hadn't read the manual, but hadn't noticed the buttons... I pushed her heated seat to full, and she noticed it quickly (Florida). She said "you can turn it off now" and I replied "nope, you can use it for a while to remind you that when you spend $30,000 on a vehicle and don't read the manual, you're a moron."

 

I’m not seeking answers; it’s more like I was wondering out loud. The question was more rhetorical than actual, but for the sake of the argument, let’s say a correlation CAN be proven. If I were a Ford salesman, I’d make damn certain that my customers knew it, if for no other reason than their word-of-mouth recommendation to their friends & family about what a caring, conscientious Ford representative I am!

 

Sam,

When we bought the new F150 I spent several quiet evenings reading the Owner's Manual which included 'break-in" and reading the "Quick Reference" manual too. No one can comprehend everything that's in the owner's manual and I also think there are more here that have done the same. Much of the reading was simply how to make things work and how to implement all the safety features which I always thought "I would never use." I use them all now.

A downloaded Owner's Manual works very well too when searching for answers or for do-it-yoiurself replacement part numbers.

 

I’ve been doing the redneck break-in on all my new engines for as long as the manufacturers have been recommending to take it easy during break in (which has been forever). Never had a problem and I keep my vehicles, boat, motorcycles for a long time.

I believe in the idea of seating the cylinder rings with high RPM / high load wide open throttle operation early on when the crosshatching is still present on the cylinder walls. It seals the pistons better all the way from the top to the bottom of the stroke so there is less blowby resulting in more power.

But do what you feel is right for your own engines.

 

I generally read the manual for every new item I buy. It usually has very helpful information and allows you to get the most out of your purchase.

As any new vehicle is concerned, I usually drive it as I would normally. Mind you, I'm not hard on vehicles and only push it when I have the Cobra out for a spin.

I keep my vehicles for a long time, generally about 10 years or more. I also do all the maintenance once they are off warranty.

 

Well I'm gonna trust pretty much every manufacturer from Ford to Toyota that recommends to take it easy with no hard acceleration and to refrain from driving at one speed for long periods of time for the first 500-1,000 miles. The break-in is not just for the engine but for the entire powertrain. The transmission, differentials, and transfer case need time to break in.

 

Thats the part that boggles my mind too. I was in the other thread talking with another member and he was trying to saying the break in was a myth but when i asked for some type of proof all he could say was he had "life experience"
My moms been a smoker for 40 years and shes still healthy(thank God) so with her 40 plus years of life experience and no issues i think its safe to say smoking's ok lol


So as someone who works for Ford, break in or no break in?