In three days (these days waiting seems to have stopped time) I take delivery of my new Toy.

On a previous thread that I asked for suggestions, someone said about break-in miles for the first 1000 miles. To expedite these first 1000 miles would it harm the engine to just get on the interstate and drive 500 miles away and then return to eat up the 1000 mile break-in??

What does it mean to stay away from the V-Tech (I think that was the term someone used) or maybe they said stay under the V-Tech, I'm sure it has something to do with rpms and some function that the engine does, please explain?

I have tried reading as many threads as possible but after a while they all seem to blend in (the mind goes funky) I see that a lot of you like to replace the gear shift knob, what seems to be the ultimate knob to own and why replace the original, is it just for looks or does it just feel better?

LQQK

 

Not VTEC'ing means .... DO NOT GO OVER 6,000RPM.. actually don't even go close during break-in.

Shift at 3500 rpm at the most.

Just my $.02

 

Don't do the highway miles - use varied speeds. Don't go higher than 5500 rpms for first 600 miles. Try to downshift and not brake hard for first 300 miles - to allow brakes/rotor time to break in. Contact a guy by the name of xviper on this board, very knowledgeable and willing to give good advice. Enjoy!

 

Lots of varied RPM, meaning try to stay off the interstate and don't use the cruise control.

Don't lug the engine. I'd say use about half of the car's potential all around for the first 600 miles, then start venturing further as you get closer to 1000 miles.

 

For the first 600 miles keep the engine RPM under 5500 (this is what the owner's manual says). Also vary the engine speed. You can do this by maintaining your speed but using different gears or you can simply drive at different speeds. It is more effective to run it up and down through the gears. The idea is to get the engine's oil control rings and the cylinders to wear so that they can control the oil and not burn it. No panic stops for the first 200 miles or so.

It is MOST important to constantly monitor your oil level while you are breaking your new engine in. My car burned a quart/1000 miles while new. Keep the factory oil in the engine for at least 3750 miles. Honda recommends twice that. Do not use synthetic oil until you are sure that your engine is broken in (the oil consumption stops).

After the first 600 miles, you will be ready to experience VTEC. This is a mechanical function of the engine and it occurs at about 6000 RPM. It is more pronounced with the gas pedal floored. The engine is actually switching between sets of cam lobes. You will hear the change in the sound of the engine and also feel the car take off faster. Something to look forward to.

Enjoy your new car,
Bob

 

Purchased new 02 model in May and already have 6500 miles on it. Stayed below 6000rpm under 600 miles then let her rip to 8500rpm after that. Changed oil at 2000 miles using Redline 10w-30 synthetic then changed again at 6000 miles. Redline bottle specifically states not to use it for new cars under 3000 miles. The way I drove my first 2000 miles was probably equivalent to 5000 miles worth of normal driving since oil really black and dirty when I drained it. Car feels stronger than ever with no probs. Read posts about sparkplug issue but mine were fine after checking it.

 

I'm picking my new s2000 from Chicago and driving to Denver. I was thinking of driving I 80 home. my plan was to frequently change gears to keep rpms varied. It's about a 1000 miles. Any body do that? Is there any limit to how many miles I should do in one stretch?

 

One of the things you want to do when breaking in an engine is stop and let it cool off regularly. You'll have a hard time doing that driving 1000 miles on a freeway. To vary the engine speed, consider getting off the freeway at every exit, then get back on again.

I think the best way to break in a new motor is driving on mountain roads. I'm guessing there aren't too many of those around Chicago.

 

Just out of curiousity, where does everyone get the "varied speed" break in suggestion from. I don't doubt it's true because when my dad picked up his porsche turbo they told him that, but the S2000 manual says nothing about it.

 

The owners manual is as generic as vanilla ice cream.
It is common fact that varying the speeds, gears, and load helps the engine parts to seat correctly. The S2000 engine should never be lugged... keep it revved up and let the engine do most of your braking. Check the oil all the time, keep from driving for a long time in hot weather. Drive it like you will for the rest of it's life minus going over 6500 RPM for at least 600 miles.

My 2 cents