New Car Breaking In

[Dub RXer]

I am new to ClubWRX so be gentle. I tried using the search button for this topic; however, I couldn't find any information on how to break in a Subaru. This is my first new car and I'm very excited. I just want to make sure I break it in the right way to keep all performance without damaging my engine. Please help....

[YBNormal07]

1. Open Owners Manual
2. Find section for Vehicle Break-in
3. Read it
4. Follow it



Short verison
Keep it < 4000 RPM for 1st thousand miles. Change oil. Run it as you wish.

[armysti]

you want to baby it for a few thousand miles but it is okay it you open her up a few times, just dont redline it to much. but they are great cars and they can handle it fine. but welcome to the club. post some pics

[kingypoo]

I am new to ClubWRX so be gentle. I tried using the search button for this topic; however, I couldn't find any information on how to break in a Subaru. This is my first new car and I'm very excited. I just want to make sure I break it in the right way to keep all performance without damaging my engine. Please help....

for the first 1000 miles keep it under 4000rpms. yay.

[Dub RXer]

LOL I didn't even think about reading the owner's manual. Being that this is my first new car, I never had to. Thanks for the quick responses.

[kingypoo]

LOL I didn't even think about reading the owner's manual. Being that this is my first new car, I never had to. Thanks for the quick responses.

what do you expect from us at work...slow responses?

[Trainable]

You all forgot vary rpms no interstate/cruise control driving.

[kingypoo]

You all forgot vary rpms no interstate/cruise control driving.

Thats bogus.


If you have to drive the highway, drive the highway. Just vary the RPMs when not on the highway and your fine

[Trainable]

Thats bogus.


If you have to drive the highway, drive the highway. Just vary the RPMs when not on the highway and your fine

Made sense to me (but I am simple minded) so I followed it and enjoyed the excuse to drive back roads .

[Mitcher4]

I am new to ClubWRX so be gentle.

Ah they always remember the first time...

Seriously though, I followed the vary the rpm almost off the bat method. I didn't sit up at 5 or 6...but I did hit it once in a while. Change oil at 1000k to get residue and metal out and then you're...Good to go.

[kingypoo]

Made sense to me (but I am simple minded) so I followed it and enjoyed the excuse to drive back roads .

There is only back roads in maine

[Trainable]

There is only back roads in maine

Hey there is I-95 and I didn't say it was hard to only take back roads .

[jr4284]

Change oil at 1000k to get residue and metal out and then you're...Good to go.

I'd change it earlier than that. 95% of all the metal that ends up in your oil during the break in period happens within the first 20-100 miles. Why give it a chance to do any damage? I changed mine at 100 miles, and will change it again at 1000 miles... Then on to the standard 3000 mile rotation. With synthetic I'll likely change the filter ever 3000, but the oil is good for much longer than that, so it'll get changed every 6000.

Also note on the oil change: use NON-synthetic during your break-in period. Once that's over, hop back on the synthetic bandwagon. Synthetic is actually *too* good for break-in, and you may not generate enough friction to properly seal those piston rings.

*Thread Hi-jack* What synthetic oils do people prefer? I've heard excellent things about Royal Purple.

[kingypoo]

I'd change it earlier than that. 95% of all the metal that ends up in your oil during the break in period happens within the first 20-100 miles. Why give it a chance to do any damage? I changed mine at 100 miles, and will change it again at 1000 miles... Then on to the standard 3000 mile rotation. With synthetic I'll likely change the filter ever 3000, but the oil is good for much longer than that, so it'll get changed every 6000.

Also note on the oil change: use NON-synthetic during your break-in period. Once that's over, hop back on the synthetic bandwagon. Synthetic is actually *too* good for break-in, and you may not generate enough friction to properly seal those piston rings.

*Thread Hi-jack* What synthetic oils do people prefer? I've heard excellent things about Royal Purple.

every 100 miles sounds OCD...its a car, not an infant.



Some people will disagree with your advice to switch to synthetics right after the break in period is over...most will recommend waiting until 10k+ miles before making the switch. But its your car, do what you want. BTW, you'd drain your oil, change the filter, and put the oil back in? sheesh...

Search the forum for preferred synthetic oils.

[jaqattack02]

every 100 miles sounds OCD...its a car, not an infant.



Some people will disagree with your advice to switch to synthetics right after the break in period is over...most will recommend waiting until 10k+ miles before making the switch. But its your car, do what you want. BTW, you'd drain your oil, change the filter, and put the oil back in? sheesh...

Search the forum for preferred synthetic oils.

He said after the first 100 miles, not every 100. And when you change the filter you don't have to drain the oil. You just lose the 1/2 quart or so that's in the filter. So you just change the filter, then top off the oil and you're good to go. Even so, I change my synthetic oil and filter every 3k-4k.