1,400 miles now on my Sedona Red 2003 5mt, and I was a very good boy about the break-in period.

Only exceeded 4,000 about a dozen times (usually 4,100-4,250), and only twice above 4,500 of those dozen. The highest one to 5,200rpm (@620mi) was ironically getting out of a Subaru dealership (Goldrush), onto a speedy main road.

One thing is for sure, the engine in my car loosened up CONSIDERABLY between 0 and 400 miles. My first tankful on very conservative driving netted a combined 19mpg. Aaack! I freaked a little there, figuring if I was observing the 4K chastity belt and got 19mpg, I was in deep crap and should expect 16mpg around town.

After 300, 400 miles, the engine felt a lot freer, revved much more easily with the onset of boost, and was quieter. Mileage on the second tank with the exact same type of driving (even more city actually) was 21mpg. I just got a best of 27mpg on the highway from 72-85mph on the way to Idaho.

Lesson to new WRX owners:
Observe the 4000rpm choke-chain rule for the specified first 1000 miles. Don't give your car reason to dog you down the line.

Oh yes, when that thing turned exactly 1000 miles, I pulled over, and redlined through the 1st 3 gears. Power falls off after 6100-6200 or so, but it was pure, smooth joy.

Now, to modify.

-Mirror

 

You are a much stronger man than I. Enjoy the upper limits of your tach!

 

Exploration currently underway. Wonderful wave of torque on tap from 3700-5500 in these things. Reminds me of the Ford Escort Cosworth, but more linear and less lag. Fun!

 

don't you think that's kind of silly?

i mean, like the engine somehow has knowledge that it's gone 1000 miles, and now you can thrash it?

don't get me wrong... i don't think you're hurting thing at all letting it out. i just think what the mfg. suggests is essentially a sudden increase in reliability, at this magically round number, and that's pretty preposterous.

fwiw, i didn't worry about the break in period much at all. i was careful not to push the car while cold, as i still am, but that was about it. i'll let you know how i turn out in about 90k more miles.

jm2c
ken

 

There are so many controveries about how to break in an engine that it's beyond me what's right and wrong. I followed the 1000 mile rule however, but it does seem a little preposterous.

 

Its best to just follow the rule to an extent. It must be there for a reason. But I definitly agree with ride5000, warming up the car before you push it hard is very important. In fact, I would say that its more important than properly breaking in the car.

 

Knowing quite a bit about engines and how they operate, I am definitely under no such illusion that suddenly reliability is transformed as soon as the clock ticks 1000.

Having just spent thousands for this car, I figure observing the break in period certainly wouldn't hurt. Besides, it was a fun driving challenge.

I'm sure Subaru lists the break-in period as longer than it needs to be, my car only felt changes in the first 400 miles. Its just so that the rings seat properly, etc, etc.

Redlining in the first 3 gears? Not silly at all my friend. Silly would be NOT doing that. Heh.

 

I think the break-in period can be thought of as driver break-in as well. Getting used to the car in general is good (ergonomics, etc).

IMO, people in this country overall are worse drivers than say, in Europe. It's good not to overestimate your driving abilities especially when your car is still new.

 

Your mechanic said no break-in period? Is he smoking crack? No offense to you, but in the grand history of automobiles I dont think that there has ever been such a thing as no break in period. Your car might run fine for a while, but longevity is gonna suffer.

 

I didn't really care if my car needed the 1000 miles to break in I just did it to make sure my scooby is feeling good. I wasn't in a rush to hurt my dream car right away =o). Just do it, it's good karma.
-rob

 

if the people who desighn the motor and built it tell me to do i do it

 

If I made a car Id tell you to do it to so you break it once the warranty is up! now you gotta buy a new car or spend lots of money rebuilding the engine? *cackle*

 

argh...can't...resist...going to at least 5000 during breakin...
...must...lift...foot...but....can't....