Break-In period on cross country drive

Tacoma2TRX · Nov 5, 2022

Morning gentleman (and ladies as I’ve learned). It’s getting real as my flights booked for Wednesday to pick up my truck.

I’ve chosen to make a trip out of picking it up. Driving from Kentucky to San Diego. I’ve read up on the break in period and plan to follow it strictly. My question is, day one I have a roughly 13hr drive to stay at my parents place in Dallas. Is there anything I should do differently than just completing the break in period on that leg? It’s obviously going to be extended time on the road its first day in the wild. Wasn’t sure if perhaps I should take a break once I’ve crossed the different breakin thresholds? I see guys talking about the seals seating during the break in period and I assume there needs to be heat/cold expansion/contraction in order for that to properly work? TIA

Louk · Nov 5, 2022

I think guys get too wrapped around the break in period. Just don't beat on it the first couple hundred and then follow the rpm range for the rest. I just followed the rpm and speed suggestions during my 700 mile trip home.

discretion37 · Nov 5, 2022

congrats on the truck! did the same drive from kentucky to cali (you're gonna be smiling throughout).. just watch rpms first 500 miles then you should be golden

OnTheReel · Nov 5, 2022

Break-in speed limit is just as important as the RPM limit. Follow both. Break-in also generates a lot heat in the oils. So if possible, make a few cool down stops very early into the trip.

The worst thing to do would be to immediately jump on the interstate and drive 13 hours straight.

cubsfaninsc · Nov 5, 2022

Also recommend checking the oil with each fill up. I brought a quart of Pennzoil SRT with me when I picked up my truck in KY, and drove it back to SC.

Mvfjet · Nov 5, 2022

I had about a 70 mile drive home from my dealership, all. Highway. I just did a lot of manual shifting the whole way. I didn't let the truck sit at cruising RPM for too long. A lot of throttle roll ins followed by engine breaking. No hard launches or full throttle stabs until I did the first oil change at 1200 miles or so.

Now I'm at 8300 miles. The truck doesn't burn any oil.

@JC · Nov 5, 2022

Drive it like you stole it.

SneekEm · Nov 5, 2022

OnTheReel said:
Break-in speed limit is just as important as the RPM limit. Follow both. Break-in also generates a lot heat in the oils. So if possible, make a few cool down stops very early into the trip.

The worst thing to do would be to immediately jump on the interstate and drive 13 hours straight.

Yep it’s not only speed and rpm but like any new high performance motor it’s about the cool down too. Maybe set yourself up for like 150 miles and then get something to eat while it cools down for a bit.

Also, don’t let it idle much during the first 500.

Attaching the break in schedule if you haven’t seen it already.

Tacoma2TRX · Nov 5, 2022

SneekEm said:
Yep it’s not only speed and rpm but like any new high performance motor it’s about the cool down too. Maybe set yourself up for like 150 miles and then get something to eat while it cools down for a bit.

Also, don’t let it idle much during the first 500.

Attaching the break in schedule if you haven’t seen it already.

View attachment 55038

Yea that’s what I was thinking. Got this printed already! Thx man!

Moparornocar · Nov 5, 2022

In todays engines with roller cams and perfect clearances break in really isn't much of a thing anymore. I know guys who break them in like they're mad at them and those who baby them for months. it makes no difference whatsoever from what I can see.

Any good builder will tell you to seat the rings with lugging or hard acceleration. in a blown engine it might be a little much so at first maybe some 3/4 throttle accelerations then let off. vary the rpm don't set the cruise for long periods.

When I drive back from Granger to OR I plan on being sensible but not paranoid. just drive and enjoy it.

@JC · Nov 5, 2022

Pretty sure the engine plant still does a 45 minute break in dyno on every Hellcat engine they ship anyway so the only thing you're really breaking in is the gears and brakes. Heat cycle those a couple times and drive like a raped ape.

Moparornocar · Nov 5, 2022

I'm sure you're right.

Hpmaniac · Nov 5, 2022

The engine is broke in at the factory. You are breaking in the rest of the drivetrain. Just don't keep any steady speeds for a period of time.

Agsx2 · Feb 23, 2023

Is there a break-in period for towing outside of the normal break-in range? I have 700 miles on my new 23' that I picked up a couple weeks ago. We are supposed to go camping and would pull a small camper (5000-6000 lbs?) in a few weeks from today. Any issues with that?