Engine Break In

I know this has probably been discussed and argued over in the past, but is engine break in really still a thing? I know driving the vehicle moderately is important for most components of the truck, but not so much for the engine anymore? I’ve heard Toyota breaks them in at the factory, and also that the machining process is so precise it doesn’t really matter anymore. Anybody know for sure?

 

The owners manual still has recommendations for the initial break in driving period, correct?

 

I have always (and still do) believe in proper engine break in. In fact, the owner's manual of my 2021 gave a specific outline for break in procedure on the engine, brakes and procedures prior to towing. Here is page 186 from my owner's manual:

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.


Yes, I've heard the same things from numerous other people... 'Vehicle break-in is no longer a thing; it's done at the factory'; etc...

The problem is that not a single person offering that advice paid for or is paying for your vehicle. Nor will they be there to help w/premature repair expenses or early vehicle replacement down the road. Trust your instincts on this one and follow the recommendations for your specific model (I'm not familiar w/the new powertrain, but I'd bet a paycheck a break-in procedure is listed in the owner's manual of your vehicle as well).

Nothing outlined above is too extreme or out of line in my opinion, and it's all consistent with what I've been taught over the years. Also, along the same lines, consider doing an Oil and Filter change (at your own expense) within the first 1500 miles. Once break-in is complete any left over metal shavings, etc. from the casting process, molds and assembly procedures (that may have not been completely removed during assembly) should be removed as soon as possible by doing an oil and filter change. Now that Toyota is covering your service for the first 2 years, your first oil change is at 5,000 miles (no filter change until 10,000) and that leaves debris floating around in your engine for too long (strictly my opinion).

I just dropped $70 for mine to be done (I believe I was at 1300 miles); The service advisor will tell you it's not necessary (maybe it isn't), but oil is cheap in comparison to early problems. I have the service department NOT do any maintenance light/indicator resets, so the vehicle remains on schedule w/the Toyota Care plan for its remaining 2yr/24,000 miles.

I followed this same procedure w/my 2008 Tundra. It's currently just under 250,000 miles w/o any major repairs and still running strong on a daily basis.

Enjoy the new truck!!!

 

Basically I’m asking is if anybody has a concrete answer as to if it really is “broken in” at the factory. I don’t dog my new vehicle to begin with, so I’m not really asking because I want to beat it up, I’m just asking out of curiosity.

I mean, break in oil changes aren’t recommended anymore either. There’s still is a portion in the manual (as there was for my Tacoma) for breaking in your new Toyota, but is it more Toyota explaining how to properly break the truck in itself, not so much the engine. Rear diff, transmission, brakes, suspension, etc.

 

There isn't a break in process at any automobile factory.

They prime the engine with an "oil bomb". Then at the end of the line the vehicle is started. Then there is a 5-6 mile road test. Then it is parked for shipment.

 

☝️

The perfect answer right there. Drove my 03 Acura for 16 years, wife has a Mitsubishi Outlander 08, 320,000 km still going strong after 14 years. Still ride my 07 R1, bought in 08.

Every vehicle I’ve had I did exactly what the manual suggested with an oil change at 3K. Do yourself a favour and follow the manual

 

What does Avoid sudden acceleration mean exactly? Is that more like getting on the highway and putting the pedal to the floor? I live in an area with lots of hills so I often have to stop and go which means I have to push the pedal down a little more to get up the hill without the engine struggling

 

Proper break in is required. The engines are built, filled with oil then "dry spun" (no fuel) in an engine test cell for approx. 50 seconds. Computers measure all the sensors and electronics, compression, intake and exhaust flow, and it also measures the tightness with which the engine turns. It's done a varying rpms. It's in no way broken in.
Many parts like rear end gears require multiple heat and cool down periods to properly break in. FOLLOW THE OWNERS MANUAL. And also that early first oil change is an excellent idea.
I retired from a Toyota powertrain dept. I've seen every bit of this daily.

 

I never break anything in. Just get in and drive. If I need to abruptly stop or suddenly accelerate to avoid a wreck then I do it. If I need to tow I’ll hook a trailer up and let her eat. The heat and load will help break the rings in. Only thing I break in are aftermarket gears. Otherwise, let er rip.

 

Raven67. Is that considered sudden acceleration mean?

 

I would say, suddenly acceleration would be flooring it from a stop, or racing. Nothing wrong with driving "normal" as in merging or passing. Just try to be somewhat easy for 500-1000 miles. Then change oil.

 

I'll add, this break in is all for longevity sake. Toyota pulls random engines off the line, hooks them to a dyno & runs them at red line for hours at a time, with a heavy load on the flywheel.
They even do durability testing & run some for 40 hours straight, at different loads & rpms. Then they tear them down & measure everything to see if there's wear. I wouldn't worry that you'll hurt it, just help it to live a long time.

 

Thanks for the information.
I’m not worried about hurting it. I’m more worried about doing it right for longevity purposes.
Yea the only thing I’ve done that worried me a bit was put it on the highway between 65-80 mph right when I bought it to get home. That was before I read the manual and it was for approx 35 miles where I stomped the gas to get onto the highway as there was no merge. Other than that, no pedal to the floor, racing, etc….All backroads to and from work. No underpower on uphills to where the motor struggles but no pedal smashing either. Just a little power to get up to the top

 

I'm breaking in my 2024 SR5 TRD. Did first oil/filter change at 500 miles, had oil sample analyzed. Getting prepared to do next oil/filter change at 3500 mile and have that sample analyzed for trend analysis.