[GYnot]

After reading several threads on the subject today I'm more confused now than when I left the dealer and from what I've read in the OM.

I purchased my 2.4/Auto Renegade this past Saturday. After signing papers I briefly asked about break-in. I was told to drive as I normally would. That's really vague as he had no clue what normal is for me.

First, the dealership is at-least 40 miles from my home. If I recall correctly I varied speeds from 50mph with traffic congestion to possibly 70mph on some toll roads, but don't know for sure. Since then I've mainly been on the freeway with speeds averaging 60-65mph and even caught myself going up to 70.

I've just hit the hundred mile mark and wondering how to handle the remainder of my break-in period.?

Am I worrying for nothing about what I did previously? Did it really effect anything?

A regular commute for me would be on the freeway taking my kid to school 12 miles away, coming home the same route and repeating this to pick her up at the end of the day, so about 48 miles a day with 8 of those on side roads.

I could mix it up and avoid the freeway altogether and travel through stop and go lights if it were better or even stay in the slow lane on the freeway.

What would be best for me to assure the best mpg later?

Thanks

 

[GSO_Kyle]

Take the stop and go route not the highway. You want to be varying the RPM and avoid long constant RPM driving for the first 500 miles.

 

[BuckeyeBud]

Take the stop and go route not the highway. You want to be varying the RPM and avoid long constant RPM driving for the first 500 miles.

This

 

[Priguy]

Read the manual. It says a long break in period isn't required. Drive moderately the first 300 miles. After the first 60 miles speeds up to 50 to 55 mph are desireable. While cruising, brief full throttle acceleration within the limits of local laws contributes to a good break in.

 

[GYnot]

Thanks for the replies. I'll take the side roads that do seem to vary in speeds. Since I'm past the 60 miles should I be hitting the "50 to 55" mark now and then on these side roads with what I've already described in my Renagade's short history?

As far as the manual, which I mentioned I read, words like "moderately" seem a bit vague and added to my not fully understanding. Others have repeated this in various threads. No biggy. My anal retentive ways and a vague description are a recipe for disaster.

Thanks

 

[Priguy]

Ahh.. I wouldn't worry too much about it.....you just don't want to overdue it too soon before all the parts, lube, etc get used to working with each other I think.

 

[Mark Druckmiller]

Took my new Renegade from Atlanta and drove it home to Michigan. However, I took the scenic route into North Carolina, through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, into Gatlinburg, then I-75 for the rest of the way. 700 miles with various starts, stops, hills, coasting and stuff. Drives just fine now.

 

[GYnot]

Thanks guys.

Mark, maybe too soon to get a true average, but where do you land as far as MPG?

 

[Mark Druckmiller]

Thanks guys.

Mark, maybe too soon to get a true average, but where do you land as far as MPG?

On the trip, it would bounce between 30 and 36 MPG (36 was going down the mountain in sixth gear).

Now I average about 29-32 in multiple modes of driving (around town, Detroit freeways, etc).

Mark

 

[GYnot]

Nice!! Exactly what I'm looking for. Did you do your first oil change yet?

 

[Mark Druckmiller]

Nice!! Exactly what I'm looking for. Did you do your first oil change yet?

Only have 2000 miles on it presently. It spent a week and a half in the shop, mostly because it was determined the battery had gone bad. It was a 2015 that I bought brand new a month ago, mostly left over because it was a manual and they were almost giving it away. (Who wants to drive a manual in Atlanta traffic? Or as I've said before, "ATLANTA: Where throw-out bearings go to die...")


M....

 

[GYnot]

Haha, sounds like LA traffic. Only owned one truck that had a stick, I learned my lesson well. Never again for a DD.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[Mark Druckmiller]

Nice!! Exactly what I'm looking for. Did you do your first oil change yet?

Have only 2000 miles on it at the moment.

M...

 

[Mark Druckmiller]

Nice!! Exactly what I'm looking for. Did you do your first oil change yet?

Only have 2100 miles on it now, due to it being in the dealer for a bad battery issue. Plan on going full synthetic like my other vehicles.


M...

 

[ronruggiero]

If I was freeway driving, I'd just drop my speed so I could rev up the engine for a minute or so. Varying speeds/revs is key and don't redline it early. I treated it like this for my first 2-3k miles. Just over 5K now. Seems like it worked well...but I guess I'll know more much further down the road!

 

[GYnot]

Thanks. This past week I've stuck to nothing but side roads, revving it up now and then, but yes never to the point of red lining. Just hit 300 miles. Next week I planned on mixing it up a bit more including the slow lane on the freeway. What's speeds would would I top out at on the high side, 55-60? 60-65?

 

[Jeepetto]

Your fine to drive it up to 100 now if you really want. The under 60 rule only really matters for the first 50-60 miles. Vary Engine speed for the first 1200 miles, once past this mark your broken in.

Personally I usually get the oil changed at 5000 miles, At that point is when I really start to open up the engines aka hit redline, drive like an arse etc etc etc. I have had many a new vehicle be it NA or Turbo, and they have all broken in properly. Oh never buy a Subaru, they will always burn oil. Period.

 

[GYnot]

Great, thanks.