2004 Forester XS & Break-In Period

Should always stay away from constant speed - best way to break in new car is to take out on highway and vary speed - 40-50 down to 45 - 45- 55 down and up constantly for at least couple hundred miles. I have always changed oil first 500 miles, then 1000 miles and then every 3,000 after that. All my cars go 200,000 miles and up and have never burned oil.....Very important to stay away from setting cruise control on new car less than 1000 miles and leaving there - rings will not seat properly..

However - Subaru claims to use a special break-in oil at the factory, and recommend it be drain at exactly 3,000 miles regardless of driving habits. As for the driving - I wouldn't stay in the same speed for more than 10 seconds when I was breaking in my WRX last month. I found the best way to do that was stay in the rightmost lane and slow or speed as cars entered/exited ramps.

Varying every 10 seconds seems a bit beyond what's really necessary, though I can't quibble with the results you've obtained. On a freeway trip during "break in" I'd stay fairly constant for 2-3 minutes, then vary up or down a few hundred RPM, with occasional acceleration to pass at speeds above what I was doing for cruising. Despite best efforts and commitment, about five times during break-in I (unintentionally) got into turbo territory and very briefly exceeded 4K RPM--and I mean a matter of 5 seconds or less--but I don't think that was harmful, given what I've read here.

HW

I should have added that at least 90% of my break-in was in around-town driving, so RPMs were varied quite a bit during that time.

HW

That is extreme and not needed Run in is the correct term not break in.

Vary the speeds with cruise control and enjoy your new car.

I agree with the early oil change strategy. I just changed oil at

i guess i can sue my dealer when my engine stops, since they suggested i come in at 1000 miles for a free oil change.

;)

ken