Question on break in
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 517
Likes: 96
From: Palm Bay FL
Question on break in
I know the new truck break in is for the gears. I traded my 15 for an 18 and we have a short trip planned mid June. I may hit 500 miles on the truck by then. Question is, how critical is the 1000 mile threshold. Our trip is about 60 miles away with a max speed of 50. Should I cancel? Trailer is guessed at around 5500 pounds.
Grumpy Old Man
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,129
Likes: 887
From: Midland County Texas, just west of the star in my avatar
I wouldn't cancel the trip. But I wouldn't drive "normal" either.
Baby the drivetrain and brakes. No hard acceleration. No hard braking. No cruise control.
You want maximum throttle-off deceleration without using the brakes. Throttle-off deceleration sucks oil up into the piston rings, and that oil helps the rings to mate to the cylinder walls. Stay off freeways and interstates, and take the back roads. Every 5 to 10 miles, when traffic allows, get off the go pedal and coast to a slow speed, then gently accelerate back up to speed. And after that deceleration, vary that top speed as follows:
50 MPH for 5 to 10 miles
60 MPH for 5 to 10 miles
45 MPH "
55 MPH "
65 MPH "
Then repeat the sequence until you get to your destination, or until you have 1,000 miles on the truck
Baby the drivetrain and brakes. No hard acceleration. No hard braking. No cruise control.
You want maximum throttle-off deceleration without using the brakes. Throttle-off deceleration sucks oil up into the piston rings, and that oil helps the rings to mate to the cylinder walls. Stay off freeways and interstates, and take the back roads. Every 5 to 10 miles, when traffic allows, get off the go pedal and coast to a slow speed, then gently accelerate back up to speed. And after that deceleration, vary that top speed as follows:
50 MPH for 5 to 10 miles
60 MPH for 5 to 10 miles
45 MPH "
55 MPH "
65 MPH "
Then repeat the sequence until you get to your destination, or until you have 1,000 miles on the truck
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 633
Likes: 223
Here is what the Owners Manual Says:
You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 mi (480 km). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speed frequently and change up through the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Do not tow during the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
What happens if you dont follow this advice is anyone's guess. I am sure people have ignored it and been fine, and I am also sure someone had an engine related issue that they blamed on improper break in.
You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 mi (480 km). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speed frequently and change up through the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Do not tow during the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
What happens if you dont follow this advice is anyone's guess. I am sure people have ignored it and been fine, and I am also sure someone had an engine related issue that they blamed on improper break in.
