Few questions/thoughts... input needed

eshamas21 · 09-12-2006, 12:54 AM

Ok... soo i was talkin to someone the other day and they were telling me (not sure if i believe it or not) but that the break in period of the car is BULL! and that the car is ran and pushed before it is shipped over and that the reason the manual tells to break in is all for safety reasons and they dont want people driving there car a certain way until they learn the limits of there car....

and another thing he brought up was warming up ur car... he said warming the car up while it still parked is a must and not too believe that its best to warm up ur car at low rpm's and the only reason they tell u to do that is for enviromental reasons that the car gives off too much pollutants...

Im not sure if believe everything he says but some of it does sound logical... input appreciated... thanks

GregL · 09-12-2006, 01:06 AM

Hate to say this but you should probably expect opinions from all angles to this thread. Each and every one of your points has been covered quite thoroughly on this board multiple times in the past so if you feel like a healthy dose of reading, it might be a good idea to try a search

Wouldn't want to see people verbally clobbering each other over the head again.

HRC · 09-12-2006, 01:11 AM

When in doubt, and given the choice of listening to your friend, I would take what BMW says. For the most part, I drove the car pretty easy for the first 1300 miles. I used to warm the car up, but I have sinced followed BMW's advice. The only thing I venture away from BMW is the 15K oil change, I change at 7500 intervals.

Danny

calvino · 09-12-2006, 01:12 AM

I never warm up my car

that is like for old cars not for The ULTIMATE Driving Machine!

NFS · 09-12-2006, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eshamas21

Ok... soo i was talkin to someone the other day and they were telling me (not sure if i believe it or not) but that the break in period of the car is BULL! and that the car is ran and pushed before it is shipped over and that the reason the manual tells to break in is all for safety reasons and they dont want people driving there car a certain way until they learn the limits of there car....

and another thing he brought up was warming up ur car... he said warming the car up while it still parked is a must and not too believe that its best to warm up ur car at low rpm's and the only reason they tell u to do that is for enviromental reasons that the car gives off too much pollutants...

Im not sure if believe everything he says but some of it does sound logical... input appreciated... thanks

Personally - I think your friend is not far wrong.

The engines are 'broken in' to an extent before you receive your car, so the brake in period is not particularly for the mechanical bedding in of engine components as it was in older days. However, all sorts of bits of the car (including the engine) function better after a bit of use - especially tyres and brakes, which need a couple of hundred miles to 'bed in'. It's also true that mechnical failure of any complex machinery is most likely when first used, so easing the engine in gently minimises the risk of this.

My dealer confirmed this when I collected the car

Some people think you should 'drive it like you stole it' from the off and there are various websites which support this (albeit they usually state you should make sure the engine is warm first). I take the middle view and 'loosely' follow the guidelines - I have run on full throttle a fair bit and I have revved to the redline - but I haven't exceeded 90 mph or revved the nuts of it all the time.

As to warming the car up - I don't think it matters as much as it did for older engines, but the statement that it is not require is more aimed at the environment than the protection of your car.

xG35c · 09-12-2006, 04:21 PM

I floored my 330i to redline out of the dealer's lot when I picked it up new (but it's a lease, so I'm really not worried about breaking it). On the otherhand, there ARE components such as brake pads and tires, which need breaking-in before they can perform their best.
With today's synthetic lubricants and precision components, a break-in or extended warmup routine certainly can't HURT, but I doubt it's really necessary.

zamboni · 09-12-2006, 04:28 PM

I agreed with Danny 15K is too long for an oil change, 7500 miles is the right time to replace the oil & filter. BMW won't recommended for warm up on their line up it's bad for the engine.

shragon · 09-12-2006, 04:36 PM

my CA told me there really isn't a break-in period any more, but i decided to go with what was recommended in the manual:

Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to each other. Please follow the instructions below in order to achieve the optimal service life and economy of operation for your vehicle.

Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.

Up to 1,200miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do not exceed an engine speed of 4500 rpm or a road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h. Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the transmission's kick-down mode. Following part replacement The same break-in procedures should be observed if any of the components mentioned above have to be renewed in the course of the vehicle's operating life.

After driving 1,200miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually increased.

---------

as what was said earlier, bmw does not recommend warming up your car. when i first start my car in the morning, i let it run for about 30 seconds or so before driving off.

HRC · 09-12-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shragon

...as what was said earlier, bmw does not recommend warming up your car. when i first start my car in the morning, i let it run for about 30 seconds or so before driving off.

Rob, I just start and go these days! 30 seconds is about what it takes me to get going. However for the sake of clarification, I drive the car like grandma for about 5 minutes, then it's...ON!!!! I don't want others to think that we just mash the car once we get in.

Danny

shragon · 09-12-2006, 04:51 PM

yea, that 30 seconds is usually me putting on my seat belt and turning on my mp3 player.

Kenny C · 09-12-2006, 07:47 PM

On the M5 the engine will not reach certain rpm until the engine is warmed up. I assume BMW built that into the system so as not to damage the engine.

calvino · 09-12-2006, 08:01 PM

that is the same that happens on my friend 550i

kuthair · 09-12-2006, 08:15 PM

I think your friend is right on both counts.

There's a lot of good material out there on engine break-in search google.com. Here's one:
http://www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/re...s/engnbrkn.htm

Edit: another: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Same goes for letting the engine warm up. I would say to let your engine idle until the RPMs drop (about 1-2 mins). Then drive off slow until warm.

09-12-2006, 12:54 AM	#1
eshamas21 First Lieutenant 35 Rep 390 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: So. California iTrader: (0)	Few questions/thoughts... input needed Ok... soo i was talkin to someone the other day and they were telling me (not sure if i believe it or not) but that the break in period of the car is BULL! and that the car is ran and pushed before it is shipped over and that the reason the manual tells to break in is all for safety reasons and they dont want people driving there car a certain way until they learn the limits of there car.... and another thing he brought up was warming up ur car... he said warming the car up while it still parked is a must and not too believe that its best to warm up ur car at low rpm's and the only reason they tell u to do that is for enviromental reasons that the car gives off too much pollutants... Im not sure if believe everything he says but some of it does sound logical... input appreciated... thanks
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09-12-2006, 01:06 AM	#2
GregL Brigadier General 98 Rep 3,618 Posts Drives: 2016 CLA45 AMG Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: GTA iTrader: (4)	Hate to say this but you should probably expect opinions from all angles to this thread. Each and every one of your points has been covered quite thoroughly on this board multiple times in the past so if you feel like a healthy dose of reading, it might be a good idea to try a search Wouldn't want to see people verbally clobbering each other over the head again. __________________ 2016 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 2013 Mercedes-Benz B250 - Gone 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic - Gone 2006 BMW 330xi - Gone 2001 Infiniti QX4 - Gone
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09-12-2006, 01:11 AM	#3
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	When in doubt, and given the choice of listening to your friend, I would take what BMW says. For the most part, I drove the car pretty easy for the first 1300 miles. I used to warm the car up, but I have sinced followed BMW's advice. The only thing I venture away from BMW is the 15K oil change, I change at 7500 intervals. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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09-12-2006, 01:12 AM	#4
calvino Lieutenant Colonel 304 Rep 1,928 Posts Drives: had e90, 330i mystic blue Join Date: May 2006 Location: Weston,Florida iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 e90 330i [0.00]	I never warm up my car that is like for old cars not for The ULTIMATE Driving Machine! __________________ E90 Mytic Blue 330i 07-20-2006. 05-17-2011 Doesn't the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit . . . unnatural? Support NORML
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09-12-2006, 04:21 PM	#6
xG35c Lieutenant 36 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I floored my 330i to redline out of the dealer's lot when I picked it up new (but it's a lease, so I'm really not worried about breaking it). On the otherhand, there ARE components such as brake pads and tires, which need breaking-in before they can perform their best. With today's synthetic lubricants and precision components, a break-in or extended warmup routine certainly can't HURT, but I doubt it's really necessary.
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09-12-2006, 04:28 PM	#7
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1131 Rep 5,557 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	I agreed with Danny 15K is too long for an oil change, 7500 miles is the right time to replace the oil & filter. BMW won't recommended for warm up on their line up it's bad for the engine. __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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09-12-2006, 04:36 PM	#8
shragon Moderator 497 Rep 27,441 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	my CA told me there really isn't a break-in period any more, but i decided to go with what was recommended in the manual: Break-in period Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to each other. Please follow the instructions below in order to achieve the optimal service life and economy of operation for your vehicle. Engine and differential Always obey all official speed limits. Up to 1,200miles/2,000 km Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do not exceed an engine speed of 4500 rpm or a road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h. Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the transmission's kick-down mode. Following part replacement The same break-in procedures should be observed if any of the components mentioned above have to be renewed in the course of the vehicle's operating life. After driving 1,200miles/2,000 km Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually increased. --------- as what was said earlier, bmw does not recommend warming up your car. when i first start my car in the morning, i let it run for about 30 seconds or so before driving off. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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09-12-2006, 04:51 PM	#10
shragon Moderator 497 Rep 27,441 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	yea, that 30 seconds is usually me putting on my seat belt and turning on my mp3 player. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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09-12-2006, 07:47 PM	#11
Kenny C Lieutenant 148 Rep 481 Posts Drives: 2007 335 e90 1998 e39 540 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oceanside, New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 m50 [0.00] 2020 BMW M340 [0.00] 2018 mx3 40 [0.00] 2016 340 [0.00] 2013 BMW ACYIVE HYB ... [0.00] 2010 BMW X535D [0.00]	On the M5 the engine will not reach certain rpm until the engine is warmed up. I assume BMW built that into the system so as not to damage the engine.
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09-12-2006, 08:01 PM	#12
calvino Lieutenant Colonel 304 Rep 1,928 Posts Drives: had e90, 330i mystic blue Join Date: May 2006 Location: Weston,Florida iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 e90 330i [0.00]	that is the same that happens on my friend 550i __________________ E90 Mytic Blue 330i 07-20-2006. 05-17-2011 Doesn't the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit . . . unnatural? Support NORML
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09-12-2006, 08:15 PM	#13
kuthair Captain 11 Rep 613 Posts Drives: 07 335i Sedan 6MT Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	I think your friend is right on both counts. There's a lot of good material out there on engine break-in search google.com. Here's one: http://www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/re...s/engnbrkn.htm Edit: another: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm Same goes for letting the engine warm up. I would say to let your engine idle until the RPMs drop (about 1-2 mins). Then drive off slow until warm.
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