they say a new car engine needs about 10,000 kms to break in, meaning to get its normal mileage and power.

is it old science that the driving style of the first few thousand kilometers is important how the engine will run lateer on?

with my last new car i had taken it very slowly and careful in the beginning, the engine now runs like advertised. or do engines run nicely anyway?

and: it doesnt harm, does it, to fill in 95, even though the car can run on 91?

The manufacturers handbook tells you how to drive your new vehicle

Running or Breaking-in in the old sense is no longer required, most manuals suggest limiting your speed to 100kph and varying your speed (rather than long runs at a constant rate) for the first few 000 km.

My nice new Ranger is freeing up nicely after 4000km, it certainly felt a bit tight from new but I've not made any concious attempt to run-in, just driven sensibly.

Go to get my black plates today, not a 'new' car anymore

EDIT It only harms your pocket to put 95 in an engine designed for 91, you won't get any extra performance. Note, if you use Gasohol 95 you may see a reduction in performance over regular 91.

tks for the breaking in info.

reg. 95 vs 91: with my cr-v i got much better performance with 95 than 91. about 10-15 percent more kpl as well, which already makes me saving on the gasoline.

thought others may have the same experience.

It usually takes a little while for the rings to seat properly so it is a good idea to go somewhat easy on a new engine.

It usually takes a little while for the rings to seat properly so it is a good idea to go somewhat easy on a new engine.

Hi Jamie,

It was my impression that with the new metals, the improved lubrication and much tighter tolerances that the seating of the rings was not an issue any more. Note that this is only my opinion and I could be totally off base on this. Still agree that one should take it a bit easy for the first 500+ miles to allow everything to 'loosen up' as Crossy has experienced.

I also have a new Ranger and have received the same info as Crossy regarding 'break in' procedures.

BTW.........what part of WI are u in, I was GB born and northern (Minocqua) raised. This Badger has dug a new burrow in LOS as I found the winter hibernation in WI to be too cold and too long. Pass me another Pabst please.