Break in period

[Kaif Momin]

Good news y’all, my dealer got back to me last Monday letting me know that my wrangler will be shipped in 1 or 2 weeks. Before I take the delivery I want to make sure I’ll be doing it right. So, for the break-in period, I know the basics about not going too hard on the throttle and keeping it under 4k rpm and etc. but since I’ll be picking it up from Houston and driving it back to Austin what’s the ideal speed should I go on my trip back home??

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[Cowboy from hell]

Vary gears and speeds....don't just put in cruise control

 

[Cavs42]

From the manual:

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS A long break-in period is not required for the engine and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimental and should be avoided.

 

[MtCamper]

Shortly after you get home go find a gravel road and run low range for about 20 miles at various speeds. Then while rolling 2-3 MPH go in and out of hi-lo several times. On your way home. 2H to 4H and back at regular in town speeds.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Just drive it. Try not to get on the interstate and just cruise from Houston to Austin. High gear in modern vehicles has such a tall gearing that highway speeds have the engine loafing along. But regardless, the engine has a high likelyhood to break-in (seat the rings, mainly) just fine, regardless of what you do, because of modern finishing of the bores and metallurgy of the rings.

Long, heavy throttle, moderate rpm accelerations (manual gear selection) from 2-4k rpm in higher gears will load the engine, create high cylinder pressures which will help seat the rings in the early miles. But like I said, you are highly unlikely to have any break-in problem if you get in and just drive it like it was 2 years old.

It seems like auto makers have chosen not to update their "break-in" recommendations from the 1940s and 50s, even as vehicles have drastically changed. The really big changes started happening in the 70s, when the final drive gearing had the engines loafing along at 2000 rpm at 70 mph. That same 50-55 mph recommendation was in my new 1971 car, which would be revving higher at 55 than a new vehicle at 70 today. Again, just drive it.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

I've seen good horsepower numbers on the dyno from vehicles I've been a little rough on when new but was surprised to see the full throttle recommendations in the manual. The engine is most likely already broken in when you pick it up but it won't hurt to have some fun in it after you leave the dealership. Besides, if you break something now the warranty will fix but not so much in 5 years.

 

[Kaif Momin]

Shortly after you get home go find a gravel road and run low range for about 20 miles at various speeds. Then while rolling 2-3 MPH go in and out of hi-lo several times. On your way home. 2H to 4H and back at regular in town speeds.

I’ll consider this, appreciate it

 

[JABCAT]

From the manual:

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS A long break-in period is not required for the engine and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimental and should be avoided.

Simple, the best course of action is to follow the manual regarless of other's opinions. I'd also go to mopar.com and create your account, if you haven't already, and download the owner's manual. Start getting familar with all the features, requirements, warning lights, etc. before your new Jeep arrives.

 

[Kaif Momin]

Drive it how you would normally, and yes, this includes some WOT.
I went WOT on my test drive, so less than 20 miles on it. Coming up on 30k without any major issues.
Constant speed on the highway is probably the worst thing to do, but it's probably not that bad either. On the highway, you can manually change from 8-7 while still doing cruise control if you wanted.

I feel like using cruise control during a break-in period isn't the right call, but that just my personal opinion

 

[Kaif Momin]

Simple, the best course of action is to follow the manual regarless of other's opinions. I'd also go to mopar.com and create your account, if you haven't already, and download the owner's manual. Start getting familar with all the features, requirements, warning lights, etc. before your new Jeep arrives.

I guess I'm ahead of the game?

 

[JABCAT]

I guess I'm ahead of the game?

The fact that you asked the question shows you're already ahead of most. Considering many new vehicle owners drive their vehicles some distance home after purchase, one would think manufacturers would put the drivetrain break-in procedures on page 1 of the manual or in the "quick start" guide, instead of burying them on page 192 or somewhere.

 

[Kaif Momin]

The fact that you asked the question shows you're already ahead of most. Considering many new vehicle owners drive their vehicles some distance home after purchase, one would think manufacturers would put the drivetrain break-in procedures on page 1 of the manual or in the "quick start" guide, instead of burying them on page 192 or somewhere.

That’s true.
I have a buddy who has a 18’ JL and he didn’t even let it break in and he realized he made the worst mistake later. So I’m just learning from them you know, not sayin’ ima be perfect on all this but you might wanna consider babying it around when you’re spending 50-60k on a vehicle. Last thing you want is blowing it all up, am I right?

 

[JABCAT]

That’s true.
I have a buddy who has a 18’ JL and he didn’t even let it break in and he realized he made the worst mistake later. So I’m just learning from them you know, not sayin’ ima be perfect on all this but you might wanna consider babying it around when you’re spending 50-60k on a vehicle. Last thing you want is blowing it all up, am I right?

Considering many dealership service departments (very true of CDJR) are conditioned to point the finger at the owner whenever an issue presents itself, it's always best to follow the manual & document everything.

 

[Kaif Momin]

Considering many dealership service departments (very true of CDJR) are conditioned to point the finger at the owner whenever an issue presents itself, it's always best to follow the manual & document everything.

I agree for sure?

 

[roaniecowpony]

That’s true.
I have a buddy who has a 18’ JL and he didn’t even let it break in and he realized he made the worst mistake later. So I’m just learning from them you know, not sayin’ ima be perfect on all this but you might wanna consider babying it around when you’re spending 50-60k on a vehicle. Last thing you want is blowing it all up, am I right?

Sounds like you had an answer you wanted and were looking for dissension.

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