OK, I have had an auto WRX for 3 weeks now, and I am trying to follow the break in rule of staying under 4000 RPM, however, its proving to be increasingly difficult. Everytime I hit the accelerator to merge on the freeway, it jumps up to 5000 RPM. Everytime I hit it to pass someone, it goes well past the 4000 mark.

I tried to go easy on it merging on an offramp, but I was going up the on ramp at 15 miles an hour at 3000 RPM until I floored it to 5000.

My question is, how bad is this for the car? I really am trying to be careful, but its proving increasingly difficult thanks to the WRX's low end torque. Any advice will be appreciated.

 

dont worry it should be fine

 

When I asked my dealer about the auto WRX, he basically told me to forget it. Like he wouldn't sell me one, ONLY 5-speed!

So, I have learned to drive stick!

Breaking in the car is all about common sense, and variety. Don't gun it to hell from outta nowhere, don't drive for five hours at the same speed and gear.
Give it all kinds of driving, as gently as possible.

Enjoy!

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I really wanted a manual, but my dad refused to help me buy it unless I got an automatic. Obviously, a WRX is a WRX (and i still love mine) but right now I am afraid to really gun it because of the "break in" period.

BTW, do you guys suggest putting mobil1 in brand new? the dealer (the same dealer who told me to put in 87 ) told me not to put in mobil1 for 10,000 miles.

Thanks in advance

 

I was real carefull not to go over 4K. By the way. 4K in 5th is 100mph. Collins

 

a brand new engine has metal parts that rub a bit.......as they rub you end up with metal in the oil......it's not there from the start...but as you drive you create it. 30 years ago break in was much more important due to manufacturing and assmebly of parts inside the engine. these days the parts in the engine that rub are built much closer to specification. due to this the break in period is easier and less critical. that's why they tell you to change your oil early the first time around.....by your first 3000 miles all the wearing of parts as they seat themselves into each other is done, for the most part. so you should have a little metal in the oil then, and after that you should be good.

did you ever rebuild your dirtbike engine as a kid??? remember how you had to run 3 tanks of gas through it without ever touching the powerband......that's because you wanted the rings on the pistons to seat correctly into the cylinder......good power....if you beat on it early, you got bad ring seal......you needed new rings again after week of racing!!! what a pain in the *** that was!!!

i don't understand everything about this......but from what i've read and from talking to some people i guess manufacturing of engine parts is getting so good that they can make everything fit really nice right from the get go, hence less break in time and smoother running engines later, riggs

ps....sorry to go on so looooooooooooooooooong

 

it's not THAT bad, but it would be wise to lay off for a bit.

if you do it sparingly, don't worry about it. if you do it daily, get some patience and slow down.

also, how many miles are on the car when you got it? chances are others have taken it for a road test and redlined it.

if you just got a new car it would be wiser to take care of it rather than to see how fast it goes for the fun of it.

but i know a rule with crate engines is to break them in, sometimes suggested never going above 2500rpm, but that's for big block v8's, which is easy to do.

also , how long do you plan on keeping the car? 5+ years? then take care of it... selling it next year or you're leasing? don't worry about it.

 

i have a similar question: what oil should one use for their first oil change? thx