Pony07

Almost everyone has a different opinion about what to do during the break-in period - I wonder if I'm "doing it right"? I wasn't able to break it in from mile #1 because the car sat on the dealer lot for a little over 90 days and already had 30 miles. Then, unfortunately, this dealer was across the state line in a different city so I had to drive it 200 miles to get it home. For the first 80 - 100 (approx.) it was stop-and-go city driving with a short stretch at 60mph on the expwy, and then about 30 miles or so on the highway, followed by some slow-speed highway traffic jam driving, followed by probably close to 100 miles of pure highway steady driving. I didn't do 75mph until it was probably 150 on the odometer....there was no way for me to drive slower or get home a different way. since then, I've not driven more than 14 miles at a time at highway speed - and a bit slower than I usually go, about 65. Most of my trips in the car are short, low speed - so this is good for it I think?

I know the book says to vary the speed and NOT drive extended periods at one speed - but I had to do the 4-hour trip at less than 200 miles on the odo - is that going to hurt anything?

How long does the break-in period last?

Do I really need to change the oil early? As far as oil changes go, I used to use Valvoline regular oil but now that I got a new machine I'm thinking of putting in synthetic right from the beginning (1st oil change). Is that a good idea?

ShowGT

No sweat, you are simply being paranoid here. I would take it easy, change the oil say around 1200 or 1500 miles and continue to keep that smile on your face. It came with the car and it stays with the owner. Just continue to do what you are doing now and you will be fine.

Falchion

The only thing that I saw in the Owners Manual was to vary the RPM's over the first 1500 miles. It sounds like you're been doing that, so you should be good to go!

krnpimpsta

Break in lasts between 500-1500 miles, depending on who you ask.

I changed my oil around 700 before I ever drove past 4.5k rpm and past 50% throttle. (didn't drive it totally easy, just drove reasonably.)

I'm not an expert, but the impression that I get is that synthetic oils are not conducive to proper break-in, so I would stick to organic for the first and second changes... (for me, 700 and I plan for another at 2000)

Hollywood_North GT

It's true, synthetic oils are not conducive to proper break ins. Otherwise, I don't see any problems with what you've done so far.

I would change the oil ASAP, however, particularly if you've had a fair bit of stop-start driving. When new from the factory, the newly machined parts (including the engine) commonly end up depositing tiny, tiny metal filings in the original oil. The sooner you flush that, the better. The manual doesn't say anything about this, but a competent mechanic will definitley recommend it.

Glenn

but more and more cars are coming from the factory with sny oil already in them.

Falchion

I Ford uses Semi-synth oil?

theedge67

Ford uses the Motorcraft semi-synthetic as factory fill. Some other cars though, like Corvettes, and the GTO's (before they went extinct...again) use Mobil1 Full Synthetic from the factory.

Pony07

Ok, so it would not hurt it if I used regular oil the first time (if I decide to wait till 1,500 or so) and then next time go synth? Or maybe the Motorcraft semi? Is there really an advantage in using synth oil for normal oil changes? I've heard people argue both for and against it.

theedge67

Just pick up the Motorcraft in the 5qt jug at Wal-Mart, +1qt. It is like $10 for the jug, and you won't find many options that are cheaper. Plus, it is a GREAT oil.

Pony07

you mean the regular Motorcraft or the synthetic?

kevinb120

The same synthetic blend in the exact viscosity the car comes with from the factory is the perfect oil for the car. I've talked to many a master technician and they all say doing 500-1000mi first oil changes and babying the car is a complete and total waste of time. Constant rpm and dead stopped traffic are about the only things to really avoid in the first few hundred miles. Drive it like you intend to drive it later from day one otherwise, maybe even a little harder(but take it easy on the clutch/tranny at first), but rev 'er up all you want. The motors when built right off the line are run at redline for several minutes before shipping to the assembly plant.

Falchion

Well, I haven't been driving mine at a constant RPM that's for sure!

I was going to change my oil at maybe 1500 miles. Or should I just wait untill 5000? That seems like a long time to wait?

randy_tho

So how does this sound? At 700-1000 change with Motorcraft SemiSynth and motorcraft filter. At every 5K after that use Mobile 1 and motorcraft filter.

The motorcraft was like 10-12 bucks for a 5 qt jug and mobil 1 was like 21.

Glenn

you can go longer using mobil one

kevinb120

I do my first one around 3k miles(about 3200 or so on this car), and at or around ~4k from then on.

Hollywood_North GT

Gonna do mine in the next couple hundred miles or so...at about 2600 miles right now.

Gotta echo the sentiment on not babying the engine. My Ford head mechanic/shop foreman was very specific: "Don't be afraid to mash the pedal to the floor now and again...helps seat everything in the engine properly."

Just never do it to a cold engine; make sure it's fully warmed up first.

Falchion

OK, thanks guys!

Maybe I'll wait for longer then I was going to?