[dbrown]

I read that a person is to break-in a new engine by varying the rpms and not to go wide open throttle for the 1st 500 miles. But when a new car is taken out for a test drive, the potential buyer will take it down a freeway ramp and open it up to check out its acceleration whille the salesmen is in the back seat encouraging the driver to open it up?

With todays engine technology, fuel, oils is there really a break-in period?
I would think that maybe the engines are pre-run at the engine factory?

 

[emoody]

The only reference to the break-in period I can find in the owners manual is to avoid towing a trailer for the first 600 miles. But you’re right about many new vehicles suggesting a break in period. Mainly to avoid sustained speeds for long periods, which wouldn’t happen on a test drive. And opening it up on the freeway is probably minimal enough in most test drive situations.

 

[aarondixon]

Engines are pre-run after being built and they drive the car off the assembly line to a parking lot, then another parking lot, then they are driven onto the transport truck and driven off the transport truck and around the dealership... BUT none of these drives heats and and seals the Piston Rings the way the buyer will do once the car is purchased and taken home.

I recall back in 1985 when I bough a new Prelude I took a long multiple freeway drive varying speed and RPM. Never had any engine problems and sold the car with 142k miles on it...

 

[margaret17]

Engines are pre-run after being built and they drive the car off the assembly line to a parking lot, then another parking lot, then they are driven onto the transport truck and driven off the transport truck and around the dealership... BUT none of these drives heats and and seals the Piston Rings the way the buyer will do once the car is purchased and taken home.

I recall back in 1985 when I bough a new Prelude I took a long multiple freeway drive varying speed and RPM. Never had any engine problems and sold the car with 142k miles on it...

I miss my Prelude as it was a great car! Honda should bring it back - but not charge 44K for it ?