Breaking in a new engine

[Dirty TR]

So, I just finally bought my dream car. Believe it or not, my dream car was a WRX :lol: . I have an 07 TR WRX and I was just wondering how many miles I should put on the engine to break it in before I start getting crazy with it. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[I Like It Sideways]

I've been told of a break in period of 1000 miles.

[Dirty TR]

What could potentially happen if one doesn't wait for the 1000 miles? Just generally speaking, I'm not particularly car savvy.

[Storz]

I would be somewhat easy on it for the first 500 miles, if you beat on it before the pistons/rings have a chance to set it, you may cause problems further down the road. I would be nice to it for a little while longer :)

[409industries]

The breakin period is generally to allow all the brand new internals to settle in before being abused by throttle happy owners (like myself). Just take it easy for that first 1000 miles or so. Stay away from that rev-limiter!

[Dirty TR]

Cool thanks, I'm at about 1100 right now. I haven't done anything in it yet other than go really fast a couple times.

[kreitz3]

You should be alright now.

[Rallycat66]

Go "easy" for the first 500 miles. Then gradually start to drive more and more like you plan on driving it. By the time you've gotten to 1000 or 1500 miles, the engine and drivetrain will be used to your driving style.

You should also avoid long periods of driving at constant speeds when breaking it in (i.e. going out and setting the cruise at 65 for long distances).

If you just take it real easy and then suddenly start driving it hard, it probably won't like it. Same thing applies when you buy a used car. If the previous owner took it easy on the car and you suddenly start driving it hard, nasty things happen.

Tim

[Dirty TR]

Thank you everybody for your input, I don't want to have problems in the future lol.

[UP2MTNS]

change the oil often until 5000 miles.

change it at 1,000......2000.......3500.....5000.....then every 3-5K.

[lorenkb]

+1 on changing the oil often at first.

Subaru themselves state to keep the RPM's below 4K for the first 1000 miles and to not race the engine. Varying RPM is also a good thing. I got to about 900 before I started slowly uping the acceleration and RPM.

I haven't read any definative articles on the effects of not breaking in an engine properly, but my experience with much smaller engines (RC helicopter engines) is that a proper break in will give a very very small increase in power and a much longer lifespan. I don't think you will notice the difference on the Subaru engine until well after 100K miles, as evidenced by all the people who claim to have autox their car on the first weekend, etc. and see no ill effects at 30K miles.

Loren

[kainam00]

change the oil often until 5000 miles.

change it at 1,000......2000.......3500.....5000.....then every 3-5K.

With regular dino oil. Don't use synthetic until it's broken in.