Plan on driving a new car on a 3000mile highway trip. Bad idea?

You have had how many cars >230,000 miles?

Feh.

Some things change, some things don't. Rings and cylinder walls are still about the same as they were 20 years ago.

So do I. ;-)

I think I've probably broken in more new cars than you have.

The manual also probably recommends changing the oil every 7.500 miles whether it needs it or not.

I've had a half dozen successes with my method, and was trying to pass on

*experience* to the OP. Don't like it? Don't follow it! Simple!

Touche!

THis sounds just about right.

And, I just recalled my experience with a new '85 Jetta. The one I wanted was in New Jersey, and they went and picked it up. I'm sure they didn't pay attention to anything other than getting to NJ and back to MA ASAP.

I had all kinds of problems with that car. Related to how it was driven for the first 400 miles? Maybe. There were oil pressure problems.

Seven and a half miles? Gee, my mechanic is more than 7.5 miles away.

So was I, which is, follow the manual, not some guy you don't know on the internet.

It has long been rumored that there are people who are totally clueless twits who write on the internet.

So which makes more sense: To follow the advice of the people who actually build the cars or someone who may or may not know what they are talking about?

Jeff

GONE in 60 seconds.

a few actually. 306k was my highest [verifiable] mileage. but wtf has that got to do with inability to read manuals???

"about the same"??? you want to be imprecise so you can claim whatever you want that way??? or are you saying "about" you don't actually know the details??? [rhetorical]

it's untrue if you think there are no changes - there are small but subtle changes to lip profiles that help with power and economy, and there are improvements to honing processes giving better cylinder wall finish, and quality.

"success" as defined by "it didn't break down" is not the same as "success" defined by the manufacturer based on their research.

because you /did/ do a complete tear-down, analysis and comparison with other engines given factory treatment before declaring "success", didn't you?

Let's see...one car, 245,000 miles and it needed a water pump. Next car...260,000 miles and it needed an alternator rebuild. Next car...240,000 miles and it needed timing belts. And it was a Honda.

Not a single one burned a drop of oil.

All I said was, it works for me. That's good enough for me. And I gave the OP my opinion based on my experience.

Why turn everything into a friggin' arguement?! If you don't like the advice I gave...DON'T FOLLOW IT, MORON!

You just gotta argue about everything, don't you?

The guy's not talking about a gentle break in, he's talking about a coast to coast trip with a new vehicle, presumably as quickly as possible.

I gave him the benefit of my experience. You, as usual, offer nothing.

Matter of fact, I can't for the life of me ever remember when you actually did something other than question and obfuscate what others have said.

If you leave tomorrow, I don't think you'd be missed. Don't let the door slap you...

I doubt the manual was written with a 3,000 mile all-at-once break in in mind.

All the more reason to pay particular attention to the break in period, especially when driving long distances during that period.

Presumably? Well, considering that the guy posted about two different vehicles on two different newsgroups, I don't think there is a real purchase.

Bull! I gave him the benefit of *my* experience and knowledge. And my experience is that these trucks and cars are changing and evolving over the years. There are newer and better oils, better manufacturing and machining methods and better ways to assemble the engines, resulting in different break-in requirements.

The people who build the cars know more than you or I.

What applies to cars made 10, 20 or 30 years ago may or may not apply to cars made today.

You must have a very limited life.

However, questioning is far better than giving out-dated and incorrect advice, as you did.

You know, there is something called a filter, aka, kill file that comes with newsgroups. Please feel free to put me on yours.

Jeff

you're making no sense whatsoever.

your "success" is based on the fact that they're toyotas or hondas, both of which are almost impossible to kill, even by people like you that can't be bothered to read the freakin' manual.

as to your "advice", it's utterly baseless and uninformed. every single freakin' time. if you don't like being called on that, don't give it!

IIRC, the original post said he was thinking about taking delivery of a new (whatever). I would extrapolate the choice is between a Highlander and a Pilot, similar vehicles, although I believe the Highlander is slightly smaller.

Thanks. I'll stick to my way. Works for me.

Pistons and rings still slide against cylinder walls. That still happens. And that's not including other systems in the vehicle.

Who says it's incorrect? The manual said basically the same thing 7, 12,

14 and 20 years ago. I was pointing out generalizations for breaking in any car, and as someone pointed out, they're still listed in the manual: avoid abrupt starts and stops, vary the speed, etc. Basically what I told the OP. With the exception of changing the oil at 1,500 miles. That's the only real departure I took from the manual. Unless the engine has a special 'break in' oil like a Honda, I don't see what the big deal is.

What it really comes down to is driving the car 3,000 miles pretty much at once.

As usual, a molehill turns into a mountain with you.

Nah, I need a good laugh every day.

Hmmm...when did I say I didn't read the manual? Of course I read the manuals.

It's based on what's in the manuals for break-in.

And your suggesti Help assure your vehicle's future reliablilty and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 600 miles. During this period:

Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration

Do not change the oil until the recommended time or mileage interval shown in the maintenance section.

Avoid hard breaking. New brakes need to be broken in by moderate use for the first 200 miles.

A real wealth of information there, eh?

I'll stick to my method, thanks. It's proven over thirty years and nine or so new cars.

Next time you want to pick a fight, stick your head up your ass and fight for air.

And your advice to the OP was?

The guy's concerned about driving the car 3,000 nearly non-stop. He was looking for advice. You offer a pissing contest from a know-it-all.

Here. Take another look:

There. Does it make sense now, or are you that thick?

Most of them are naive, clueless LIEbrawl DEMONrats.