Understanding Engine Break In | Dos and Don'ts

Summary

This video dispels myths about engine break-in for new cars, emphasizing the importance of varying load and avoiding thermal shock. It explains that mass-produced engines need less break-in than high-performance ones, which require careful treatment. The script advises against constant RPM and suggests gradual thermal cycling for the first 200-300 miles. It also discusses oil types, highlighting the differences between conventional and eco oils, and their impact on engine performance, especially in high-temperature conditions.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The necessity of engine break-in varies based on the type of engine and its intended use.
• 🏭 Commodity engines designed for mass production require less break-in as they are built for immediate use.
• 🏎 High-performance engines, like those in sports cars, need more careful treatment during the break-in period.
• ❌ A common myth is that manufacturers fully break in high-performance engines in the factory, which is often not the case.
• 🔧 Modern engine design and manufacturing allow for more flexibility in how engines are broken in compared to 20 years ago.
• 🛣️ For new engines, avoid constant RPM and thermal shock; vary load and speed to ensure even wear.
• 🚫 Avoid high RPM ranges when the engine is new to prevent thermal stress on engine components.
• 🔧 The break-in process is crucial for engine bearings to adjust, wear in, and maintain an oil film for protection.
• 🔥 Thermal cycling is important for all moving parts of a car, not just the engine, to prevent premature wear.
• 🛠️ Regular cars also benefit from a gradual break-in process to ensure even wear and to protect other moving parts like transmissions and brakes.
• 🛢️ Oil choice is crucial during the break-in period; follow manufacturer recommendations and consider oil type for high-performance use.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The main topic of the video is the break-in process for new car engines, including different methods and considerations depending on the type of engine and vehicle.

What are some common misconceptions about engine break-in?

Common misconceptions include the belief that you should either drive a new car hard right away or be extremely gentle with it for an extended period. The video clarifies that the ideal approach lies somewhere in between these extremes.

How does engine type influence the break-in process?

The break-in process varies based on the engine type. Mass-produced engines, like those in a CRV or Chevy Malibu, require minimal break-in, while high-performance engines, such as those in a Ferrari or Porsche GT3, require a more careful break-in to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Do manufacturers break in high-performance engines at the factory?

No, most high-performance engines are not extensively broken in at the factory. Some engines might undergo a short test for quality control, including RPM sweeps and checks for leaks, but this is not a full break-in process.

What is the recommended method for breaking in a new car engine?

The recommended method involves varying the engine load, avoiding constant RPMs for extended periods, and not pushing the engine to extreme high temperatures or RPMs. This approach allows the moving parts to adjust and wear evenly, ensuring a proper break-in.

Why is it important to vary engine load during the break-in process?

Varying engine load helps to avoid creating high spots on the engine's moving parts, allowing them to wear evenly and ensuring that the oil film remains intact between the moving surfaces, which is crucial for engine longevity.

What role does modern oil quality play in the engine break-in process?

Modern oils are more stable and durable than oils from 20 years ago, allowing for more flexibility in how a new engine is treated. However, even with modern oils, it is still important to follow recommended break-in practices to ensure optimal engine performance and longevity.

What are some specific things to avoid during the engine break-in period?

During the break-in period, you should avoid maintaining a constant RPM for long periods, high RPMs or redlining, and thermal shock from rapid heating and cooling cycles. It’s also advised not to drive the car aggressively on a race track immediately.

How does thermal shock affect engine components during break-in?

Thermal shock, which occurs when engine components rapidly heat up and then cool down, can cause uneven wear and damage to the engine's moving parts. This is especially detrimental during the break-in period when components are still adjusting.

How should you handle oil changes for a new engine during the break-in period?

For a new engine, it's often recommended to change the oil after the first 1,000 miles to remove any contaminants from the assembly process. After this initial change, you can typically follow the manufacturer's recommended oil change intervals.

What are the differences between 'eco oils' and regular oils for high-performance engines?

Eco oils like 0W-20 or 0W-16 are designed for better fuel economy and lower emissions but are not ideal for high-performance engines under extreme conditions. These oils can thin out at high temperatures, leading to pressure loss and potential engine damage.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Understanding Engine Break-In: Myths and Realities

The video explores the concept of engine break-in for new cars, addressing common myths and misconceptions. The discussion covers the range of opinions on how to approach engine break-in, from aggressive driving to babying the car. The truth lies somewhere in between, depending on the engine type, its construction, and the car's intended use. Mass-produced engines in everyday cars require minimal break-in, while high-performance engines need more careful handling during the initial miles.

05:01

🔧 Engine Break-In Practices: High-Performance vs. Everyday Cars

This segment delves into the differences in break-in procedures between mass-produced engines and high-performance engines like those in sports cars. While regular engines are designed for immediate use with little break-in, high-performance engines, such as those in Corvettes or Ferraris, require more specific break-in practices. The video dispels the misconception that these engines are fully broken in at the factory, emphasizing the importance of careful initial driving by the owner to ensure long-term engine health.

10:03

🔥 Modern Engine and Oil Technology: A New Era of Break-In

The video discusses how modern engine design and oil technology have evolved, making break-in less critical than in the past. However, it's still recommended to vary the engine load during the initial 200-300 miles to allow moving parts to wear evenly. Avoiding high RPMs and extreme temperatures during this period helps prevent thermal shock and ensures the longevity of engine components. The importance of running parts like bearings is highlighted, as they need time to adapt and polish to prevent wear and tear.

15:05

⚙️ The Science Behind Bearings and Engine Wear During Break-In

This section provides a detailed explanation of the mechanical processes involved in engine break-in, focusing on the bearings and crankshaft. The video explains how these components need time to 'bed in' through light load and varying engine speeds. This process helps to ensure a consistent oil film and prevent issues like scuffing. The importance of giving bearings time to cool off and avoiding high stress on new engine parts is emphasized, particularly during the first 500 miles of driving.

🚙 Break-In for Everyday Cars: Best Practices for Longevity

The video offers practical advice for breaking in engines in everyday vehicles like a Toyota Camry or Kia Telluride. It recommends gradually increasing engine load and avoiding constant speeds during the first few hundred miles. The same principles apply to other car components, such as the suspension and braking system, which also benefit from a careful break-in process. The video underscores the importance of thermal cycling, advising against exposing new parts to extreme temperatures too quickly.

🛢️ Oil Maintenance: Following Manufacturer Recommendations

In this segment, the video discusses the importance of following the manufacturer’s recommended oil change schedule. It highlights how modern oils and engines are designed for longer intervals between oil changes, making frequent changes unnecessary. However, factors like extreme temperatures and driving conditions may necessitate more frequent oil changes. The video also addresses concerns about initial oil changes for new engines, suggesting that changing oil after 1,000 miles can help remove assembly contaminants like silicone.

🌡️ Eco Oils and High-Performance Cars: What You Need to Know

The final section focuses on the use of eco oils (e.g., 0W-20) in modern engines and their limitations in high-performance cars. While these oils are designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, they can thin out at high temperatures, leading to pressure loss and increased oil evaporation. The video advises against using eco oils in high-performance cars, especially when the engine is new. The importance of choosing the right oil viscosity based on driving conditions and engine type is emphasized to ensure optimal engine performance.

Keywords

💡Engine break-in

Engine break-in refers to the process of gradually using a new engine to ensure that all its parts wear in properly and safely. In the video, it's discussed as a critical step for new car owners, especially for high-performance engines, to prevent damage and ensure longevity. The script mentions that the break-in process is not as stringent for mass-produced engines as it is for high-performance ones, which may require special care.

💡Myths

Myths in the context of the video pertain to the common misconceptions about how to properly break in a new car's engine. The video aims to dispel these myths and provide factual information. For instance, the script clarifies that not all high-performance engines are fully broken in at the factory, contradicting a popular belief.

💡Load variation

Load variation is the practice of changing the engine's load during the break-in period to ensure even wear on its components. The video emphasizes the importance of not maintaining a constant RPM for extended periods, but instead varying the speed and load to prevent undue stress on the engine's bearings and other parts.

💡Thermal shock

Thermal shock is the term used in the video to describe the potential damage caused by rapid and extreme temperature changes in the engine. It is advised to avoid taking a new engine to its highest operating temperatures immediately and then cooling it down quickly, as this can cause stress and damage to the engine's components.

💡RPM

RPM, or revolutions per minute, is a measure of the number of times an engine completes a full cycle in one minute. The video script advises against keeping the engine at a constant RPM, especially at high levels, during the break-in period to prevent thermal shock and ensure proper wear.

💡Oil temperature

Oil temperature is a critical factor in engine health, as discussed in the video. Maintaining an appropriate oil temperature during the break-in period is essential to prevent the oil from thinning too much and losing its lubricating properties. The script warns against reaching extreme oil temperatures that can lead to pressure loss and engine damage.

💡Eco oils

Eco oils, such as 0W20 and 0W16, are designed for fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The video explains that while these oils are beneficial for everyday driving, they may not be suitable for high-performance engines, especially during the break-in period, as they can thin out at high temperatures and lead to reduced protection.

💡Normal operating range

The normal operating range refers to the typical temperature and load conditions under which an engine is designed to run. The video stresses the importance of keeping a new engine within this range during the break-in period to prevent undue stress and ensure proper wear of the engine's components.

💡Lead-free materials

Lead-free materials are mentioned in the context of modern engine components, which have had to adapt to regulations banning lead. The video explains that the absence of lead in engine parts, such as bearings, can result in harder surfaces that require a break-in period to ensure proper clearance and prevent damage.

💡Oil change

An oil change is a routine maintenance procedure that involves draining the old oil from the engine and replacing it with new oil. The video discusses the importance of the initial oil change, especially for new engines, to remove contaminants and debris that may have been introduced during the manufacturing process.

💡Thermal cycling

Thermal cycling in the video refers to the process of gradually increasing the engine's operating temperature during the break-in period. This is done to avoid shocking the engine with sudden extreme temperatures, which can cause damage. The video advises against rapid temperature changes and instead promotes a gradual increase to allow the engine to adjust.

Highlights

There are many misconceptions and myths about engine break-in procedures for new cars.

The break-in process largely depends on the manufacturer, engine type, and intended use of the vehicle.

Commodity engines designed for mass production require minimal break-in as they are ready for immediate use.

High-performance engines like those in a Z06, Ferrari, or Porsche GT3 need special care during the break-in period.

Some high-performance engines are partially hand-built but not extensively broken in at the factory.

Modern engine design and oil quality have increased flexibility in how new engines can be treated during break-in.

Engines should be driven with varying load and RPM to ensure even wear and prevent thermal shock during the first few hundred miles.

Avoid high RPM ranges when the engine is new to prevent thermal shock and stress on the engine.

The break-in process is crucial for the running surfaces of engine parts to adjust and wear evenly.

Bearings in new engines need time to bed in and create a consistent oil film to prevent future breakdowns.

The break-in period is important for other moving parts of the car, such as the transmission and braking system.

Thermal cycling, or gradually increasing and decreasing temperatures, is important for the health of new engine parts.

For street cars, it's unnecessary to break in the engine at high RPMs as most driving is done at lower speeds.

Following the manufacturer's recommended oil change schedule is advisable for most modern engines.

Eco oils, like 0W20, are designed for fuel efficiency but may not be suitable for high-performance engines or track use.

The first oil change can help remove assembly contaminants and is important for the engine's long-term health.

Varying the load on a new engine and avoiding thermal shock are key practices for a successful break-in period.

Transcripts

foreign

I wanted to make this video for quite

some time and that is about engine

break-in you buy a brand new car what do

you do there's a lot of misconceptions

about this and a lot of myths and

there's varying opinion on how you

should do it all the way from you drive

the car like you stole it to the

opposite extreme where you should baby

the car for a thousand plus miles just

to make sure everything's running and

the truth is it's somewhere in between

and it's largely dependent on the

manufacturer the type of engine it is

the construction and the the target of

what you're going to be doing with it

later on

so here it is your commodity engines the

things that are made in the hundreds of

thousands or Millions mass produced

those engines are designed to come out

of the factory put in a car and the

customer the end user is going to drive

it right off the lot and there's not a

lot of break-in required with that

because they're designed they don't have

the crazy tight tolerances esoteric

parts are designed for high performance

aspirations like you're literally taking

a CRV or an equinox or Chevy Malibu and

you're just you're putting it on the

highway most people are not going to go

you know drive it flat out on a track or

something so the the way that you handle

that is much different compared to

something like a new Z06 where you have

a high revving engine a Ferrari engine

or a Porsche GT3 it's high bars a BMW M

engine so those require a little bit of

different treatment so there's some

misconception that manufacturers take

these high performance engines some of

them that are hand built or partially

hand built and they break them in in the

factory

and that's simply not the case even some

of the high strung engines like we

talked to the Corvette Engineers that

Z06 gets hand built and then is dynode

but it's more of a quality gate it's

doing some RPM sweeps and different load

getting it up to temperature making sure

there's no leaks coolant oil making sure

there's no catastrophic failures and

they might do one near high RPM pull but

that's about it it's not sitting there

for like three days being run in it's

just to make sure the engine's safe to

go back in the car and most of the high

performance engines don't even get that

treatment so it's really kind of on the

buyer to understand you know there are

some things that you should be doing

when you get this new car just to keep

it safe if you're keeping it for the

long term

so the next thing is what should you be

doing well engine design and modern

manufacturing is not like it was 20

years ago and even oil design the the

quality of oil has just dramatically

gone up in terms of stability and

durability so getting a modern engine

now there's a lot more flexibility in

terms of how you treat the engine but

here's kind of the gold standard from

some of the engineers we spoke to you

should constantly if as soon as you

drive it off the lot you want a very

load which means you don't want to sit

at a constant RPM on the highway for

like hours on end you don't want to get

out there just keep it at you know 75

miles an hour at 2000 RPM you want to

try to get varying load so that means

getting on the throttle getting the RPMs

up changing the speed slowing the car

down

conversely you don't want to be at the

high RPM range when the engine is new so

you don't want to thermally shock an

engine like taking it to the track right

away where you get outside the envelope

of normal operating temperatures at

extreme high temperatures and then

thermally shocking all the systems like

taking it to 270 degree oil temp and

then cooling it down right away to

ambient those are some of the stressful

things most stressful things that an

engine can endure so you want to keep it

within the normal operating range

varying load a little bit of higher RPM

not to redline not banging off the rev

limiter but also not sitting there

lugging the engine and typically you

want to try to do that for about two or

three hundred miles before the engine is

broken in and from talking to Engineers

more so on the high performance side the

concept is it revolves around the

running parts of the moving parts of the

engine the running surfaces need time to

adjust to even wear and it just makes a

lot of sense if you think of it

practically if you're running outside or

you're doing some basketball drill where

all you're doing is cutting right

cutting right cutting right you're going

to start to put strain on one side of

your knee you're going to start putting

straight on one side of your body that's

not evening out load which could result

into an injury in terms of mechanical

Parts a lot of this initial break-in

process is because of bearings or

running material bearings because of

removing of lead and some of materials

now like there's no copper and brake

pads because of regulations they've had

to reformulate a lot of these running

surfaces or friction materials to comply

with you know regulatory so when you

remove lead and things there's not as

much give in the bearings are a lot

harder so if you have a high vibration

engine typically you want to try to make

sure you don't overload the engine

thermally shock the engine and create a

higher a low side on that bearing or the

running surfaces in between but they do

take a little bit of time to break in

and breaking in is simply providing the

clearance to make sure that oil film

always stays intact

so a crankshaft is this machine you know

it's got machine surfaces the the crank

board

and the bearing machine the bearings are

machined and they have their running

surfaces but they take a little while to

bed in and you want to remove the high

spots the polishing with some light load

uh varying the engine speed and load so

all those little high spots are knocked

down and Polished so you have a really

good layer of bearing on the crankshaft

and that braking process provides a

really consistent clearance between the

bearing and the crankshaft

so that under high speed high load high

temperature you never worry about

breaking down that film but all bearings

and all new machine parts they do have a

little bit of Sperrys in them and it

takes a little while for that stuff to

knock down and move around the magic

with the bearings and the bearing

suppliers will tell you this they have

all these their secret recipes with a

top layer that's pretty much malleable

it's not as malleable as lead but it

also does absorb any contaminants any

debris that may be in the build be in

the Ingenuity and the oil as well as

move over round based on the engine's

load and the polishing and the break-in

so that what they call is they call it

an adapt so the bearing adapts it moves

and provides clearance where there needs

to be clearance and that's the whole

break-in process so um what the bearing

manufacturers really look for is they

want varying speed varying load and they

want to give a lot of time for the

bearing to cool off because a hot

bearing as it's trying to break in can

sometimes scuff so they like the bearing

load and not going too high speed too

high load for the first 500 miles and we

found that for most Street driving you

can do a 0-60 you can do a couple of

Watts but you're not able to put as much

speed and load like you can on a race

track that really gets the temperatures

up there and keeps things consistently

hot and consistently loaded now you may

be somebody that doesn't have a high

performance application but a lot of

these same ideas are there for things

like a Toyota Camry or a Kia tellia ride

and some of the mainstream cars you want

to take it off the showroom floor and

you want to safely get that thing up to

temperature before you start ragging on

it you don't want to just let it sit

there and idle for five to ten hours at

a time and you don't want to drive it on

the highway at just a constant speed you

want to try to bring the engine up you

want to try to get some Revolutions in

the engine get up to speed bring it back

down again trying to cycle through to

get some of that even wear built up for

the first 200 miles you know even if you

can't do that try to do it for the first

100 or 200 miles you typically are good

now when we're talking about heat

cycling the engine isn't the only

reciprocating part of moving part on a

car regardless you have suspension you

have braking system you have a

transmission or a variation of a

transmission on Modern cars so you want

to take the same care with those so as a

part of that break-in you're helping

break in other moving parts and again

when I'm talking about thermal cycling

or thermal shock it's about not getting

that entire drivetrain or car parts to

that high level of thermal load where

parts start to heat soak when they're

brand new you want to run them in

gradually so it's the same thing with a

transmission you don't want to get it to

its most extreme temperature and then

shock it thermally by letting it

completely cool off it's the same thing

with a braking system we talk about this

a lot you get brakes super hot that's

traditionally not the problem with

braking systems it's when you get them

super hot and then let them get ice cold

and then thermally shock them again with

high load you know you want to build up

that temperature until you get a pad

layer so you're not you know creating a

heavy heavy thermal cycle on those parts

that's what wears them out prematurely

so if you think about it the same way

with the friction materials versus

engine and transmission some of those

same things can be done there after

talking to some of the Corvette

Engineers they said straight up you know

this concept of braking in an engine you

know you drive it like you stole it that

doesn't make a lot of sense on a street

car because if you look at statistically

where most engines Live On A Streetcar

it's not at six or seven or eight

thousand RPM it's not even like four

thousand it's generally isolating right

around like 2000 RPM the average speed

of most Vehicles once they're on the

road in real world driving settles

around like 30 miles an hour maybe even

lower than that for some people so the

engine is not living its life at the

high RPM so you don't want to break it

in where you're sitting there at a high

load it just doesn't make any sense

street cars are not race cars so think

about that when you're doing it and kind

of adjust your mentality a bit

the last topic is oil if you're a normal

person you have a regular car you follow

the manufacturer recommended schedule

you know there's there's lights that

tell you hey you're due for an oil

change follow that

go to the dealership use the factory

recommended oil you'll never think about

it it's easier that way

oil has improved in durability and the

science behind oil has changed so much

in 20 years the additive packs they they

last longer the engines the modern

engines of today have far less

contamination so you don't have to worry

about these accelerated intervals where

people like oh you change your oil every

3000 Miles that's just not the case in

modern engines anymore it's it's almost

wasteful to do that you can run safely 8

10 even 15 000 miles depending on your

climate

so that's one side of it but you have to

think about okay I'm cold starting my

engine every day outside at you know

zero degrees Fahrenheit I'm getting the

engine heated up to 180 degrees and then

I'm cooling it back off to negative 20

degrees Fahrenheit that is a lot of

thermal cycling on that engine it's a

lot of work on that oil in terms of the

additive packs to keep the running

surfaces safe so you might might have to

do an accelerated oil change to be safe

same thing with heat if you're in the

Arizona area and it's 120 degrees and

that engine oil is constantly running

way above its temperature range you

should probably be changing it sooner if

you're in a Dusty environment again

there's these extremes you have to look

out for to protect your engine namely

when it's new

um there's this concept of well you

should change your oil right away when

the engine is brand new right there

could be contaminants from the assembly

process Which is far less common

nowadays the the typical thing you see

in New Or in oil samples from cars that

are brand new is just sealers like

silicone from the assembly process there

might be some assembly Lube or or

different contaminants in there but

usually it's silicone and the only thing

with silicone is you know it might

change the pH a bit

but in engines like Subaru where there's

a lot of silicone that silicone actually

might trap contaminants or metal and

creates scoring problems or oil

starvation if it gets in an oil Gallery

so that would be a good case where maybe

depending on the car you should change

your oil at a thousand miles to be safe

to start and then those that silicone

level will drop debris and another thing

you have in the initial oil change is

you get a little bit of silicone in the

oil from the RTV curing that's part of

the ceiling of the engine and that is a

and once the inhibitor but it encourages

oil aeration which isn't good so that

that first oil change is a way to expel

that from the engine so the last thing I

will say is Eco oil Eco oils what is

that so 0w20 0w-16 there can their

compliant soil is designed to help with

fuel economy and lower emissions

manufacturers use them because there's

far less pumping losses involved in it

and it really does help with fuel

economy because it flows thin at cold

temperatures and it flows thin at high

temperatures the negative part about

that is if you have an Enthusiast car

they are not designed to be operated at

high temperature there's very few cars

that even at track temperatures or high

temperatures can thermally balance

themselves where that oil temperature

stays below 220 degrees Fahrenheit

unless you have a really really great

car with amazing cooling regular sports

cars are going to hit 250 260 maybe even

270 on oil temps and when you get 0 20

or 0w16 to those extreme temperatures

they suffer greatly they thin out so

much that you can run into high levels

of pressure loss

that's why you would not want to run an

Eco oil on a high performance car namely

when it's new and just as a side note

0 20 or a 016 oil they typically have

more oil evaporation they call it Nowak

it's the measurement of oil evaporation

they're typically above seven percent

and that oil evaporation on zero W oils

also can contribute to carbon deposits

and every engine manufacturer is

different some engines typically get

more carbon deposits namely in direct

injection Motors versus other brands

depends on their head design their

coolant and there's a lot of factors

involved in it but the the mass majority

99 of zero w20 oils have more oil

evaporation than an oil that's 5W20 or

5W30 so that's something else if you're

running oil at very very high

temperatures you're going to more oil

evaporation with the Eco oils and that's

the last part of the oil discussion a

zero w20 oil tends to thin out far

greater than a 5W20 oil and

you know people talk about well the five

and the zero mean nothing with high

temperatures well the base stock of

those oils the friction modifiers are

viscosity modifiers in 0w-20 oils to get

it to have that flow rate at cold

temperatures affects the high

temperature viscosity and when I'm

saying high temperature I'm not talking

about 200 I'm talking about 230 degrees

240 degrees plus Fahrenheit those zero

w20 oils will thin out more at the

higher temperatures than a 5W20 oil it's

just that compromise in making an

all-weather design so what does this all

mean really at the end of the day

based on the engineers we talked to vary

the load on the engine when it's new

don't sit at a constant RPM don't

thermally shock the engine and then of

course if you're planning on keeping the

engine long term or this car long term

that you're buying and put a lot of

money in definitely follow that if

you're just leasing the car then you

don't care about any of this you just

want to get through 30 000 miles beat

the hell out of it but maybe think about

the future owner of it too you know eat

that first three to 500 miles to be safe

that's up to you thanks for watching

I'll see you next video

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