Break-in period question

[vmach626]

Hi guys I got my 2008 NHB Si a little more over 2 weeks ago. Since then I've never hit vtec, but at times I accidently over rev to about 5k, and when I first bought it new, my mom's friend was testing it and rev'd it on neutral, probalby to 5-7k once >< I'm not sure if he passed 6k, still unsure. It has about 370 miles on it. When is the best time I can start pushing this car, I know the honda manual says 600 should be good, and the dealer said my first oil change should be at 5k. Today I let my mom drive my car to pick up something and we hit 5k like once or twice and it was going aroudn 70 mph on freeway, 6th gear at around 3k rpm, I was wondering would this do anything to effect my car, it was probably a 30 minute drive on the freeway.
Thanks

Oh I would also Like to ask what mph or what rpm does people usually shift at, I shift everytime it hits 3k , is that good or bad. Thanks agian.

[Izzy]

He wouldn't be able to hit 7k, as the car has a 2-stage limiter to stop it from going past 55oo RPM. A lot of people here use the "break it in hard" method, and have garnered plenty of miles already, but I followed the manual (mostly) and waited until 600 miles to really be able to open her up.

To be honest, I think that the break-in period (at this point) is really more about the brakes.

I shift around 3k as well.

P.S. Use the search function, this has been discussed to death.

[Whocares05050]

Ok, Heres my take on things....

The BREAK IN PERIOD is imprtant on a new vehicle. In order to FULLY BREAK IN A CAR, you will need to do ALL aspects of driving. Exaples:

Drive it in the city ( going through stop and go and through all gears )

Drive it on the freeway ( Steady speed for about 50 miles )

Drive it HARD ( You have to let the car experience all aspects of the powerband. Let the car go into vtec a few times, let it flirt with the redline)

Shift thoughout different RPM ranges.

____________________


This is how ive broken in ALL of my cars in the past. Ive never had an issue, and would recommend this to ANYONE.

[Leonard1818]

if/when I get a new car I will be taking it easy for 600-1000 miles. There is no need to beat on a brand new car. IMO this could lead to prematurely worn rings/seals and is unnecessary. but I'm not a mechanic, I'm just going from what I've read in my hours of researching break-in methods

[AllShowNoGo]

it takes a while for the metal to absorb the fresh factory oil. some ppl try the "break it in hard" method, while others are a bit more cautious and go with the manual. to each his own.

i shifted around 3k before 600 miles, around 4k after 600 miles. started kinda trying the car at around 1000k. basically i drive my car like a grandpa. i figured that since the Si in my area is rare as it is, i dont need to try it to show it off.

and how did u accidentally let it rev to 5k?

[GeezerSi]

Follow the manual.

[vmach626]

Thanks alot everyone , I accidently hit 5k because I mis shifted ><

[ryker]

Originally Posted by Whocares05050

Ok, Heres my take on things....

The BREAK IN PERIOD is imprtant on a new vehicle. In order to FULLY BREAK IN A CAR, you will need to do ALL aspects of driving. Exaples:

)

Drive it on the freeway ( Steady speed for about 50 miles )

Drive it HARD ( You have to let the car experience all aspects of the powerband. Let the car go into vtec a few times, let it flirt with the redline)

Shift thoughout different RPM ranges.

____________________


.

Most of what I've read calls for NOT keeping the engine at steady RPM. And NOT having a high load on the engine. You can use the RPM's but limit the heavy throttle application and do not keep steady RPMs (cruise control for a long trip)

[leonphelpss11]

For optimal gas mileage, you would shift a little under 3000 I believe is what I read. I shift at 3,000 anyways.. I think it says between 2500-3000

[sandeep108]

My .02:
As long as the engine is warmed up, a bit of higher revs is ok. Lugging/overloading is bad. High revs with a cold engine is very very bad.
Take everything a bit easy - acceleration and brakes for the first 600 as the manual says.
What ryker said above is quite right, IMO for best break-in. I would also vary the load a bit after 400 miles.

The engine/tranny will come into its most optimal after more than 5-7k miles. My r18 is now a lot more smoother/efficient after 6k miles than it was at 3k miles. Others have reported continuing improvement even after 8k miles.

[Pdivizzle0112]

i hit vtec three times on the way home from the dealer. i bought my car with 55 miles on it. i have almost 6k on it, and trust me, it drives nice!

break it in hard boy. use all the gears, downshift. treat it like it wants to be treated, as a sports car. they didnt put a sport tuned 11:1 compression k20 in it for nuthin' thats my .02 cents

[simons2k]

I wonder if the "drive it hard" break in theory affects the gas mileage of the car, meaning you'll get worse gas mileage compared to if you broke it in gently.

[Wakeboarder11]

[mrdimsum]

Remember when you first got the key and you were still on the lot? well, when you turn the corner from the dealer ship, that's the best time to hit vtec, hit the rev limiter, hit a pedestrian, do it all LOL

[07mugencivic]

[ryker]

Originally Posted by Pdivizzle0112

i hit vtec three times on the way home from the dealer. i bought my car with 55 miles on it. i have almost 6k on it, and trust me, it drives nice!

break it in hard boy. use all the gears, downshift. treat it like it wants to be treated, as a sports car. they didnt put a sport tuned 11:1 compression k20 in it for nuthin' thats my .02 cents

Wow you've got 6k mile - that sure does prove your break in method is better than what Honda recommends. Becuase I'm sure Honda didn't test the engines or anything like that. They just made up the break-in period/

end sarcasim

[07k20z3ftw]

Originally Posted by leonphelpss11

For optimal gas mileage, you would shift a little under 3000 I believe is what I read. I shift at 3,000 anyways.. I think it says between 2500-3000

really? maybe thats my problem..i shift at 3-3.5k ahaha