I saw a topic a while back that had some tips in in about breaking the engine in. Searched around a bit but couldnt find it again. What is everyones recommendation on breaking in the engine? I remember reading where it doesnt take as long as a piston engine and I only need about 500 miles before im good to go? Just trying to get the story straight

 

if you want to be careful, I'd suggest trying to vary engine speed, and nothing over 6000 rpm during the first 1000 miles.

Once you're over 1k miles, you can go higher than 6k, but don't do it too much. As you put on the miles, you can start to open it up more and more.

also, not just for break in, but for normal use of the car, don't do high rpms in the car until it's warmed up. The temp guage isn't going to be accurate for this, so take it easy the first 10 mins or so after the car is started. I try to keep the rpms under 4k during this period.

 

just go gradually... as the milage goes up, turn up the amount of work you want out of the engine. start wringing her out at about 1000 miles, and you're good.

soem people will change the oil after the first 300 or 600, but it's really up to you.

 

I've done a lot of research on engine break-in . . . the consensus seems to be that worse than over-revving the engine is "lugging" it. Driving under load at low rpms is actually much worse for your seals and housings. The way I prefer to break in is to drive at varying speeds and rpms, using a lot of high load at moderate rpms. In other words, take it out on the back roads, and run it up to 60, slow back down to 35, quick back up to 65, coast back down to 40 . . . vary your gears, vary your speeds, but keep it between 3k and 6k as much as you can. Change your oil immediately after getting the car (drive it to the next closest dealer, for example), and then change it again after a few hundred miles. Gradually increase the revs you allow yourself after 1000 miles or so . . . by 1500 miles feel free to redline it as you deem neccessary. :D

Peace
policy

 

Here is a good write up from Racing Beat:

http://www.racingbeat.com/RX8%20Break%20in.htm

 

I started ripping it up at 600 miles. I couldnt hold back any longer, its a lease anyway.

 

I followed the manual and took it real easy for the first 600 miles. After that, I revved it pretty good, but still didn't hit redline. Had the oil changed at around 1200 miles, then started laying into it. I get the audible beep about once a day.

At 3k miles, I went on a 2k mile road trip. After getting back, the car seems smoother than it ever has. I think the sustained periods of time at 4-5k rpms did wonders for a nice break-in. But what do I know? It just feels better, but no real facts to back that up.

 

Here is a guideline that everyone should follow:

Read The Freaking Manuel

It tells you exactly how to break - in your new 8. You PAID for it...so read it~

 

Here is the link to Racing Beat's RX-8 break in procedures. Scroll down just slightly. It is the link on the right.

http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm