HOPEFULLY MY TUNGSTEN GREY 06 GT WILL BE IN SOON. MY DEALERSHIP IS AN HOUR AND A HALF WEST OF OKLAHOMA CITY ON
I-40. WHEN I DRIVE IT BACK SHOULD I KEEP IT UNDER A CERTAIN SPEED? I'VE HEARD WHEN A CAR IS NEW YOU SHOULDN'T SET THE CRUISE AND DRIVE IT AT A MAINTAINED SPEED FOR VERY LONG. ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS? I'M CONSIDERING BRING IT BACK TO OKC ON A TRAILER, OR IS THAT TOTALLY UNNECESSARY. THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES.

 

No. Drive it as fast as you want. My boss here was a former Ford salesman. He said in the new cars they don't put breakin fluids in the engines because they build them better. There are no more metal shards after the engine is started for the first month or so. Basically the only stipulation is don't set it on cruise control for 3 hours.

If you drive it real slow and not give it any quick starts for a few months you are going to complain at the loss in power and response because the computer will adjust fuel management for your dirving needs(and hence it will think you drive like grandma).

I'm not saying take her up to 140 off of the dealer lot, but you don't need to do 55 mph in a 65 mph zone all the way home.

 

I was going to start a break-in thread as well, might as well keep things in one place. What I have learned about break-in over the years from mechanics and brothers and guys on the next bar stool is that it all depends. An old style pushrod truck engine might require no break-in while an early HO turbo 4 (ie. the SVO) might require very careful break-in, to avoid, at least anecdotally, any number of internal engine problems at 30-40k miles.

So, what is the collective wisdom re. the 4.6L in the GT? Obviously, the less break-in required, the happier I am, but what is the feeling on what has worked best for this car?

While we're at it, if I'm going to replace the engine oil with synthetic, which I've seen recommended here as well, should I have the dealer do it before pickup? Does it make a difference if I wait until the first oil change?

 

THANKS FOR THE REPLIES......KEEP EM COMING I'M VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT EVERYONE'S OPINION IS ON THIS TOPIC.

 

I was told to keep my Pony tame until 1k on the OD. I hope not I don't take very long trips, could take me 6 months to rack up that much. Someone please post their findings.

 

I'm assuming your Mustang came with the caps lock delete as well as the search button delete.

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?sh...680&hl=break+in

Anyway, welcome and congrats.

 

Drive it hard, but dont abuse it! Vary the speeds for the first 500 miles or so. Make sure you hit the rev limiter!!

Have fun!!

 

ok, ok, but there weren't that many responses to that thread.

BTW - there was a question on that thread that no one addressed - is there a particular file structure that is best to use for mp3 disks in the shaker 500? I want to have 5 disks burned and ready for delivery (not that I'll be listening that much given the v8 song I'll be enjoying.)

Any thoughts on the synthetic changeover and mobil 1 vs. Ford syn?

 

Thanks Altoid.

Explain that a little more. Please

 

Just try to keep it under 145mph and you should be fine.

 

What?? Is this true?

Also, whats up with the post that says to be sure to hit your rev limiter??

This all seems counter intuitive to me.

 

I drove mine hard right from the dealership, and took it to the dragstrip with 300 miles on the odometer, and changed to synthetic at 500 miles.

 

RPMs are more important than MPH.
Just keep varying the RPMs and she'll be great. Don't use the cruise control for the first few hundred miles (I waited until 1K, but I was having too much fun for cruise control anyway) and don't just hang in 5th on the highway. Switch gears and use the entire RPM band. There is no need to hit the rev limiter, although it might happen on accident.
Drive her hard, she'll love it!!
:drive:

 

Engine break-in is not necessary when you first drive it. Engine takes only 10 minutes or so to set the piston rings. If your new car has more than 1 mile or so on the odometer, it's already done from the factory.

So do you have to keep it slow? Not really.

Manual only recommends that not for the engine break-in, but for liability reasons (new unfamiliar car + not used to it + driving fast = crash).

Read the Mobil 1 myth about not using it for engine break-in here:
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorO...tics/Myths.aspx

 

If you dont hit it, you aren't driving hard enough. Its a mustang!! Just a 'fun' suggestion.
I hit it on my test drive......

 

The manual specifies exactly the recommended course of action for breaking in the car.

 

Manual states to vary RPM for first 1,000 miles.
Michael

 

Thats good cause I have hit the rev limiter at least three times already Now thats a good breakin

 

I did as the manual said and varied my rpm's for the first 1000 miles. I didn't worry about the speed, and did a full load break in. I drove it like I stole it for the first 20 miles, then changed the oil. Changing the oil that early is probably not necessary, but it made me happy.

 

You can use the cruise control if you want to but you should not drive for a long period of time at the same speed. At least change your speed every 10 minutes or so. I wouldn't necessarily beat the day lights out of the car either but don't drive like an old lady at the same time. The engines are built to take a certain amount of punishment (an no, hitting the rev limiter is not a good idea).

Change your oil at 3,000 miles (at the most) regardless of what the service tech tells you.