Break in period

Than · 02-16-2003, 04:01 PM

What does the owners manual say about the break in period for the engine? Does it give you a certain number of miles in the break in period to change the oil? Is there a owners manual online that I can look at?

utahrex · 02-19-2003, 08:21 AM

Break-in is 600 miles and you should not use cruise control during that time but vary your speed and engine RPM often to allow the rings to seat properly. It's in the owner's manual. :wink:

szacherau · 02-19-2003, 08:51 AM

Can you tell me what section that is in. I must be blind.

Thanks

utahrex · 02-19-2003, 04:58 PM

Page 158. The statement about using the cruise control was made by my dealer.

Than · 02-19-2003, 07:38 PM

:) :)

Thanks for the information utahrex

Hopefully I will be in my Element next week. Does the manual say anything about the first oil change

lon777 · 02-19-2003, 10:56 PM

Per pg 213 in the owners manual it says to change oil at 10K miles under normal conditions. On pg 215 it says to change the oil at 5K miles under severe conditions. Even though conditions aren't severe here yet, I will change my oil somewhere between 3K and 5K miles. I don't like the idea of running a break in oil 10K miles.

Than · 02-20-2003, 07:50 PM

Ion777

I would have to agree with you on the oil change being at 3000 to 5000 miles. I work with a mechanic that has worked at japanese car dealers and also rebuilds and shows cars and he said the first oil change would be good at 3000. It may be old school thought to change at 3000 miles for newer engines but I have decided to stick with it. I figure the cleaner the oil stays the better the car will be in the long run. I did know a guy that would change oil every 2000 miles.

ibutchman · 02-20-2003, 09:56 PM

Would it hurt to change the first oil change at 1000 miles. I know its a special oil in there, but wouldn't be a good idea to get the tiny fragments (if any) out sooner. Then maybe put new oil as the same formulation as the factory blend? Or does it really matter?

ibutchman · 02-20-2003, 10:00 PM

Another question. I went on the freeway for a 30 mile drive at reading of 250 miles on the car. Does that hurt the car during the first 600 miles to go on the freeway for 30 miles? I did not put on cruise control.

utahrex · 02-21-2003, 08:43 AM

states NOT to change oil before the specified interval. There are special additives in the oil to help parts seat properly and changing the old too soon merely dumps these additives before they have time to do the job. I too have always changed at 3000 and often sooner on a new car, but this time I will follow the instructions as given. I would hate to have excessive oil consumption down the road and have to explain why I changed oil in complete disregard for the manual. Not sure if the warranty would be any good in that case.

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02-16-2003, 04:01 PM	#1
Than EOC Rank: Hydrogen Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana Posts: 10	What does the owners manual say about the break in period for the engine? Does it give you a certain number of miles in the break in period to change the oil? Is there a owners manual online that I can look at?

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02-19-2003, 08:21 AM	#2
utahrex EOC Rank: Helium 2007 SC 2WD 5MT Nighthawk Black Pearl (NBP) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 120	Break-in is 600 miles and you should not use cruise control during that time but vary your speed and engine RPM often to allow the rings to seat properly. It's in the owner's manual. :wink:

02-19-2003, 08:51 AM	#3
szacherau EOC Rank: Helium Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 127	Can you tell me what section that is in. I must be blind. Thanks

02-19-2003, 04:58 PM	#4
utahrex EOC Rank: Helium 2007 SC 2WD 5MT Nighthawk Black Pearl (NBP) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 120	Page 158. The statement about using the cruise control was made by my dealer.

02-19-2003, 07:38 PM	#5
Than EOC Rank: Hydrogen Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana Posts: 10	:) :) Thanks for the information utahrex Hopefully I will be in my Element next week. Does the manual say anything about the first oil change

02-19-2003, 10:56 PM	#6
lon777 EOC Rank: Oxygen Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 358	Per pg 213 in the owners manual it says to change oil at 10K miles under normal conditions. On pg 215 it says to change the oil at 5K miles under severe conditions. Even though conditions aren't severe here yet, I will change my oil somewhere between 3K and 5K miles. I don't like the idea of running a break in oil 10K miles.

02-20-2003, 07:50 PM	#7
Than EOC Rank: Hydrogen Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana Posts: 10	Ion777 I would have to agree with you on the oil change being at 3000 to 5000 miles. I work with a mechanic that has worked at japanese car dealers and also rebuilds and shows cars and he said the first oil change would be good at 3000. It may be old school thought to change at 3000 miles for newer engines but I have decided to stick with it. I figure the cleaner the oil stays the better the car will be in the long run. I did know a guy that would change oil every 2000 miles.

02-20-2003, 09:56 PM	#8
ibutchman EOC Rank: Helium Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 249	Would it hurt to change the first oil change at 1000 miles. I know its a special oil in there, but wouldn't be a good idea to get the tiny fragments (if any) out sooner. Then maybe put new oil as the same formulation as the factory blend? Or does it really matter?

02-20-2003, 10:00 PM	#9
ibutchman EOC Rank: Helium Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 249	Another question. I went on the freeway for a 30 mile drive at reading of 250 miles on the car. Does that hurt the car during the first 600 miles to go on the freeway for 30 miles? I did not put on cruise control.

02-21-2003, 08:43 AM	#10
utahrex EOC Rank: Helium 2007 SC 2WD 5MT Nighthawk Black Pearl (NBP) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 120	states NOT to change oil before the specified interval. There are special additives in the oil to help parts seat properly and changing the old too soon merely dumps these additives before they have time to do the job. I too have always changed at 3000 and often sooner on a new car, but this time I will follow the instructions as given. I would hate to have excessive oil consumption down the road and have to explain why I changed oil in complete disregard for the manual. Not sure if the warranty would be any good in that case.