# Do modern cars have "break in" periods? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069 "2006-02-25T15:13:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/21 "2006-02-26T18:43:09Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Or, you know, you could rely on the engineering advice given by the engineers who actually designed and built the drivetrain. > > Such as what might be found in the owners manual. Exactly. I love it when people think they know better than the car’s manufacturer and don’t follow the scheduled maintenance as outlined in the manual (“Ahh, the car company’s just trying to rip you off and make you pay for stuff the car doesn’t need!”) and then wonder why the warranty doesn’t cover their car when it falls apart. If I’m going to spend $15K+ on a new car, I’m certainly going to follow the instructions the manufacturer suggests. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/22 "2006-02-26T18:47:19Z")
All cars require a period of frequent acceleration and braking, in order for the piston rings to seat properly. If you drive for a long time at constant speed, you will notice (on a new car) a rather high oil consumption. Properly breaking in/seating the piston rings means that your car will burn practically no oil. If this is not done, you may well burn a quart in 500 miles. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/23 "2006-02-26T20:37:58Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Uh, well, you’re wrong there. > > It’s simple, really. Buy a new car. Look in the owner’s manual. Does it tell you that must/must not drive the car a certain way for a certain number of miles. > > Question answered. > > Lighten up. Gotta’ disagree there, Mr. Blue Sky. For many people buying a new car is flat-out stupid. Buying used saves substantially in depreciation over the long run. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/24 "2006-02-26T21:16:33Z")
> [@Mr. Slant](#): > > Gotta’ disagree there, Mr. Blue Sky. > For many people buying a new car is flat-out stupid. Buying used saves substantially in depreciation over the long run. You’re wrong. I asked if new cars still have a break in period. They either do or they don’t. Whether people should or should not buy new cars is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/25 "2006-02-26T21:22:03Z")
Jeesh – my statements were for those of you who _don’t want to do the fscking obvious_ and follow what’s in the owners manual. Go back and re-read what I said with that in mind, and you’ll all see that I’m absolutely correct. FWIW, if I only spend $15,000 on a car and don’t plan on keeping it for more than two years, then I’d not waste a whole hell of a lot of time and money following the recommended maintenance. What’s in it for me? If I spend $30,000 on a car and plan on keeping it for eight years, then I’m likely to be a little more careful about following the manufacturer’s instructions. Now that I’ve put that into context, do y’all feel a little better? I’ll repeat the question: _what do you want out of your car?_ ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/26 "2006-02-26T21:25:32Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Now that I’ve put that into context, do y’all feel a little better? I’ll repeat the question: _what do you want out of your car?_ Since your answer does not answer my question, you should have started your own thread. ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/27 "2006-02-27T00:13:59Z")
I just bought a new Toyota Matrix, and the owner’s manual just said not to do hard braking or drive at the same speed for extended periods of time for the first 1000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/28 "2006-02-27T00:35:45Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Since your answer does not answer my question, you should have started your own thread. No, because you’re asking the question, and I’m being a nice, helpful guy and trying to answer it. If you’re stupid that’s not cause to be non-appreciative. My points were a clarification on your question. Presumably if you had a new car, you’d have an owners manual. Otherwise your question would be a stupid and pointless question, or you’d be an illiterate fool – your choice. However since you’ve asked the question in such a broad manner, then I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming that you don’t, in fact, have a new car. Therefore your question is left to interpretation. You _didn’t_ ask, “What do owners manuals say about breaking in new, modern cars.” You asked whether new owners were told to break in their engines in the same manner as yesteryear. Since you’re not careful about “the teller” being the “owners manual” or the “broad they,” then I qualify as part of the “broad they” and before I can say whether “I still tell such and such” it’s important to ascertain the use of your automobile as well as your expectations. It’s sad that I’m being exceptionally clear in disclaiming any advice that I may dispense, while at the same time despite the open-endedness of your question you see fit to attack me for asking for a goddamn clarification. So, no, I shouldn’t have started another thread. If you don’t like the answers you see, you should either (1) see fit to be more clear in your questions, or (2) trust the sincerity of the people that ask for more data so that they can answer your question. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/29 "2006-02-27T00:59:36Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > No, because you’re asking the question, and I’m being a nice, helpful guy and trying to answer it. If you’re stupid that’s not cause to be non-appreciative. My points were a clarification on your question. Presumably if you had a new car, you’d have an owners manual. Otherwise your question would be a stupid and pointless question, or you’d be an illiterate fool – your choice. However since you’ve asked the question in such a broad manner, then I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming that you don’t, in fact, have a new car. Therefore your question is left to interpretation. You _didn’t_ ask, “What do owners manuals say about breaking in new, modern cars.” You asked whether new owners were told to break in their engines in the same manner as yesteryear. Since you’re not careful about “the teller” being the “owners manual” or the “broad they,” then I qualify as part of the “broad they” and before I can say whether “I still tell such and such” it’s important to ascertain the use of your automobile as well as your expectations. > > It’s sad that I’m being exceptionally clear in disclaiming any advice that I may dispense, while at the same time despite the open-endedness of your question you see fit to attack me for asking for a goddamn clarification. > > So, no, I shouldn’t have started another thread. If you don’t like the answers you see, you should either (1) see fit to be more clear in your questions, or (2) trust the sincerity of the people that ask for more data so that they can answer your question. And insulting me is helping me how, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069/30 "2006-02-27T01:27:37Z")
Since, in my opinion, this one has been answered, I’m closing it before a fist fight breaks out. Sheesh! I’m glad I only moderate General Questions. I can’t imagine how the other mods do it. **samclem** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-have-break-in-periods/346069.md?page=1)