Engine Break In

I will be trading my 07 in for a brand new truck in Portland, OR, then immediately drive to NJ. I've researched a little on the engine break in process and have come up with driving at variable speeds, don't use cruise control, and stay under 4,000rpm for the first 620 miles.

Any other recommendations out there? Should the oil be changed earlier, maybe around 2,000 miles?

Thank you

 

When I bought mine it had 17 miles on it. That weekend I drove 250 miles.
Drive it…

Next weekend I towed my boat.


Drive it…

 

Easy on the brakes for a good break in. No towing for 1000 miles. I think varying speed and not being in crazy high rpm ranges is also sound thinking, according to the owner's manual.

 

Just avoid hard acceleration and braking, you’ll be fine

 

This was my first thought when you said engine break in....I think I have to move. Well, it's a Friday.

 

If you really want to do the break-in properly...

Take back roads, allowing the transmission to cycle through the gears as often as possible. You want to go from slow to 55mph or so frequently. You should not be cruising at 70mph going down the highway for an hour...You should not do hard accelerations either - just medium.

If there is a place to stop and eat at along the way, stop and eat...allow the engine and transmission to cool, then continue on your journey the same way you have been. It's all about cool-hot cycles when breaking in the engine.

This is the number one reason I would not do any type of a dealer trade when getting my vehicles. And yes, I took the back way home, kept it under 55, and broke mine in properly. It's a small price to pay for that peace of mind going forward.

 

How long is the recommended cool-hot cycle? I'm picking up a new 6MT next week, and have a 500 mile drive back home.

 

1,000 miles. Obviously there's more leeway towards the end of that first 1,000 miles, especially if you know you did it all properly for the first 500 miles or 750 miles, etc. Personally, I took it easy on it and avoided the highway for the first 1,000 miles. We're fortunate out this way that we basically have a 45 mph "old road" that pretty much follows the main highway, but the old road runs through the towns, etc along the way. It runs 27 miles through my state and at least that much further into both neighboring states. It's perfect to use for new engines hah.

 

My tacoma had .6 miles on it when I drove it 160 miles home, kept speeds under 70 mph. Next weekend with less than 500 miles I towed my loaded truck and 5x10 utility trailer 150 miles with it. Truck is no worse for wear today. In fact it runs really well.

 

No one is saying that if you don't follow recommended break-in procedures that your truck is going to spontaneously combust lol. You could not follow it, and your engine could last 400,000 miles...or you could follow it precisely and your engine could go bad at 1,001 miles. For optimum longevity, the break-in process should be followed...and the smart thing to do is to stack the cards in your favor, as much as possible. That's all.

 

@Tacochan , My 2017 had 6 miles when I got it. Drove it like Im used to. Now at 80t miles no issues .no oil leaks. No noticeable oil consumption in between oil changes . I did change oil every 5t miles though. So don’t worry .you’ll be ok .although it’s Much better if you follow what the manual states .

 

Just drive it like any other vehicle and you'll be fine. I did the same with every toyota truck I've owned. If your going to have a failure, its going to happen right off.

 

Out of complete curiosity, does Toyota actually have any literature stating that there's a "break-in" procedure?

 

Mines been running fine for 7,200 miles.

I get in, start it, and drive the piss out of it immediately. Test drive included.

Oil change at 5K and will be every 5K after.

Could I have mechanical issues..? Possibly.
Could you have mechanical issues if follow the manual break in period and methods to the “t”? Sure could.

I don’t plan on keeping this truck very long and didn’t when I bought it. But I broke my 8 vehicles in the same way. No issues. One of those is a 2018 Harley that now has 122,000 miles on it. It’s a Harley, and was never engineered to go that far, but has. New top end at 106k and a couple other minor issues that are common, but no mechanical failures.

drive it how you drive. It will be fine.

 

Drove mine 700 miles back from Michigan to CT, was a nice drive minus the cruise control and didn't feel like the engine was stressed/tight-sitting around 124 miles below passing the great lakes area which was beautiful.. I think you'll be fine keeping the rev's down. Acquired with 3 miles from dealer. Why getting from Oregon? A deal or just an adventure?

 

■ Breaking in your new Toyota

To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:​

●For the first 200 miles (300 km):

Avoid sudden stops.​

●For the first 500 miles (800 km):

Do not tow a trailer.​

●For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):

• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.​

From the owner's manual (version OM04047U) Pg. 171

 

Good to know they actually put it in the manual!

 

Defeats the reason for buying a tacoma!​

 

Don't worry about it. From the plant to your dealer there were a few people who drove it. If it isn't broken, it'll be completely broken in.

 

this is also fact. And the guys at the rail yard are driving like a meth head trying to get to their dealer.