If you have recently purchased a new vehicle (e.g., one with less than 100 miles on it), then it is recommended that you break in the engine. The breaking-in process for modern engines is the process of s setting or conditioning the piston rings so they sit correctly on the cylinder wall. Failing to do this can cause uneven wear and tear.  As part of the breaking-in, you should check for leaks or concerns affecting engine efficiency.  The breaking-in process is typically recommended for the first 500 to 1,000 miles.

If you are unfamiliar with breaking in the engine, don’t stress. It is not difficult, nor does it take excessive training. While many vehicle manufacturers will handle the break-in process in production, many owner’s manuals still recommend gentle engine use for the first bit of ownership. This is because pushing a new engine too hard within the first 1,000 miles can have long-term repercussions.

Why Should You Break in an Engine?

1. Longer-lasting engine – The break-in process minimizes the premature wearing down of the engine parts. You can further protect the engine using AMSOIL’s SAE 30 Break-In Oil. You can get this protective oil from your local AMSOIL dealer. Buy Great Oil. The AMSOIL SAE oil is specially formulated.

• • To seat the piston rings
  • It has higher levels of zinc and phosphorus, which protect against wear and tear.
  • Maximizes the compression power of the engine’s moving parts, such as camshafts, lifters, and splash-lubricated parts

2. Better engine performance – The break-in process has a fine-tuning effect. It allows the engine to settle and the various parts to calibrate correctly, reducing friction.
3. Better fuel economy – Your new engine won’t reach top efficiency until you have driven a couple of thousand miles. However, following the manufacturer’s instructions and using a break-in oil combined with a fuel additive will improve your engine’s performance and stretch your gas budget.

Tips for Breaking in Your Engine

1. Take a long trip. Since you need to drive at least 1,000 miles to break-in the engine, now is a great time for a road trip. Short trips do not give the engine enough time to warm up and reach the top engine temperature.
2. Don’t push the engine too hard. Hitting the red line is not necessary. It only puts too much stress on the piston rings and cylinders. Anything up to 4,000 RPMs is fine within the first 1,000 miles. Once you reach that milestone, you can gradually increase the RPMs.
3. Don’t use cruise control. Using control is counterproductive as it keeps the engine at a constant speed. To make the most of the break-in period, drive the old-fashioned way so the engine’s load, speed, and RPMs vary.
4. Don’t tow heavy loads. You may have bought your vehicle to haul that camper or trailer but hold off on that activity until the engine is broken in. Towing heavy items puts extra strain on the engine and can inhibit the break-in process.

Breaking your engine is a simple way to get more from your investment. Combined with AMSOIL products, the break-in process is the best way to do more with your new vehicle. Reach out to Buy Great Oil today to get the products you need to get the most from your car.