Break-In Oil Change?

"Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again." (sir-stig)
08/01/2014 at 16:37 • Filed to: Car Maintenance

What do people do for milage on their first oil change? 1000MI? 3000MI? I have come across lots of differing information regarding this, and when I picked up my FiST they said there was no break in period and the 5000kM/6 month was fine. I'm going to check the manual tonight, but until then what do you think??

DISCUSSION (13)

dogisbadob > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/01/2014 at 16:44

Whatever the book says, but usually now just go by the regular intervals.

Many new cars like GM and Honda come with a maintenance minder that gives different intervals based on driving conditions. In those cars, you go the full interval they suggest. In particular, Honda uses a special break-in additive to their factory fill that isn't available anywhere outside Honda's factories.

Not sure what Ford does, though.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/01/2014 at 16:44

Our new cars don't have anything in the manual either, and the first oil change isn't until 10k miles, or 12 months.

I had someone ask about it, and since most cars use synthetic oil now, there really isn't any need to change oil until the first specified interval. However, so long as you use the correct oil and filter, you are welcome to change it yourself whenever you'd like before hand.

It's more important to vary your driving style and speeds frequently during the first oil change interval than it is to replace the oil.

Commuting at 70 on the highway every drive isn't going to hurt the car, but it would help to have a variety of engine rpms to wear in those parts versus the same conditions all the time.

jariten1781 > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/01/2014 at 16:45

There are infinite arguments on this. No right answer.

I say: Whenever you feel comfortable not to exceed the manufacturers recommendation.

On the FiST I think it's 7500 or 10000 miles. I did a little over 4k on mine before the change and blackstone said everything was a-ok.

Opposite Locksmith > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/01/2014 at 16:46

never change it live life

HammerheadFistpunch > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/01/2014 at 16:47

engines are broken it at the factory, most issues with metal shavings happen in the first few miles anyway. Don't sweat it and go by the book.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/01/2014 at 16:58

Right. Which is why I autocrossed my car a few times after the first 1000 miles.......realibility purposes you know. I even brushed it up to fuel cutoff, in second on a track. You know, just to be safe and make sure my engine will break in properly.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/01/2014 at 17:09

So how bad was the 1800kM road trip I took the weekend after I got the car? I was using cruise control at about 120-130kph but it was single lane and I did a fair bit of passing and slowing down for semi's...

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/01/2014 at 17:10

That was fine. The passing and slowing down is perfect for varying your engine rpms.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/01/2014 at 17:12

Excelent.

lone_liberal > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/01/2014 at 17:14

You probably don't need to do it until the recommended mileage, but in my case it's 1,000 miles. I know it's not necessary but when you have a brand new baby sometimes you go a little overboard.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > lone_liberal
08/01/2014 at 17:17

Basically that's what I'm freaking out about, It's my first car and I just read about this whole break in oil change.

lone_liberal > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/01/2014 at 17:19

I think that was more important back in the day when casting grit and machined metal bits were more likely to be in the engine than these days. Like I said, though, I still do it. It's silly, but it's cheap.

Tballz > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
08/02/2014 at 14:56

I just do whatever the owner's manual says. On one of my cars the manual said 10K for the first change. I asked the service manager and he said this was the factory specification and an earlier change isn't necessary. He went on about modern engine machining tolerances, synthetic engine oils, and modern oil additives. He told me he would change it if I wanted, but I should really just save my money.