Been reading these forums for a while now - first post

I'm pretty sure I'll be picking up a new RX-8 within a year and remember reading something about how to specifically "break in" the rotary engine by not exceeding certain RPM limits during the first 600 miles, then moving up slowly, hit a redline or two, etc.

Anyone have any good suggestions for the break-in process?

Thanks. Can't WAIT to join the club. It's gonna be hell to wait longer.

 

http://racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm

lots of different ideas on this subject.

beers

 

How to break in a new RX-8:

1. Smash window
2. Unlock door
3. Get inside

 

Drive it like you stole it....

 

el oh el

 

I haven't read anything of the sort. According to the manual there is no specific "break-in" routine. Just don't go *****-nilly WOT until after you break the 1,000 mile mark. But be sure reach redline from time to time.

 

I'm an advocate of the hard break-in. Warm the engine up to temp, then do a series of progressive WOT runs up to ever increasing peaks, ending at redline. In between each run let the engine return to low rpms for a bit. Basically drive it hard for 20 to 50 miles, then change the oil. Then take it easy on the engine until you get to 1k. Then do whatever you want.

The idea behind this is that the apex, side, and corner seals will make the best fits with the housings if they are forced into them early, before the housings wear. This idea has been proven to produce an engine that makes more hp.

In any case, its the first 20 miles or so that the engine runs that are the most critical.

 

Well, my manual says not to exceed 4000 RPMs for the first 600 miles.

 

get a crowbar and go Gordon Freeman on the window

 

And every engine manufacturer in the world will say something like that. Taking it easy on the car for the first 600-1000 miles is important to allow the bearing surfaces to mate without excessive friction. But that being said, there is crucial mating that occurs in the first hours of an engine's operation that is benefited by running it hard.

This is about piston engines, but it applies here also IMHO:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

If you want to be extra safe, so what the manual says. If you want a little extra power, do a hard break-in.

 

Racing Beat's website has some great Break-in procedures.

One thing I would add is to remember to change your oil on or around the 1,000 mile mark. Lots of crud floating around in there on a new car...

Saturn: GREAT post.

 

My car was a test drive car and I am sure people test drove the hell out of it before I took it at 500 miles. And now at 6,400 I am consistently getting 19+ mpg with very hard driving and the oil is only at the halfway mark after it was filled up 2k miles ago.

 

^^^ That is all city driving too.

 

The only consistency regarding engine break-in I found from different sources: factory manuals, internet, etc is DON'T STAY AT A SPECIFIC RPM

 

i gave you the racing beat link.

here is what i did. first 300 miles kept it under 6k rpm. tried not to use full throttle, but it happened more than once.

300 to 600 tried not to use full throttle and tried not the hit the rev limiter. but it happened more that once.

600 miles. changed oil. 600 to 1k miles i beat the crap out of it. including the brakes. i think that is why i have never had the squealing problem many have had...

i have averaged over 21mpg in 45k miles right now.

just my story.

beers

 

Excuse the noob - what's WOT?

 

Wide Open Throttle

 

The dealer where I bought my 2005 6MT told me the car needed no break-in !

Well, I didn't quite buy that, so for the first 1000 miles I carefully warmed her up before driving and avoided more than short bursts of WOT. And I did not redline her until about 2000 miles.

However after about 100 miles, I did drive up into the local mountains (heavy load), occasionally hitting 6000 or 6500 RPM but still avoiding staying too long at any specific RPM (had to check out the handling in the twisties, you know).

I guess you could call this a "tough" break-in. I did my first oil change at 800 miles and another at 2800 miles. I am now at 3900 miles and the car runs flawlessly. I have not had to add any any oil between those changes. The lowet I have seen on the dipstick was about one-third quart down.

So does anyone think I have trashed my engine ?

 

no you have not.

beers

 

Freddie when you say one third of a quart low. Are you aware that the dipstick lines from low to high are over a quart in difference (1.8Qts)?

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...7-04-1438b.pdf

 

Wow . . . No, and thank you for educating me !

But even so, that would have meant I was 0.5 to 0.6 quart low, and that was the point where I took her in for an oil change. With this new-found knowledge, now that I plan to do the 3,000 mile oill change interval, I will probably start "topping off" if needed. I already carry two quarts of official Mazda 5W-20 in the trunk. And I am looking forward to my first road trip next week . . . 1,500 miles in five days -- Yippeeeeee!!!

 

just remember, once it's 'broken in', you *need* to drive it hard regularly to keep it healthy!!

 

^^^^^ Yes, and to keep myself happy !

 

I disagree, but I guess it depends on what your definition of hard is.

 

He meant redline it often...no?