break in period

slicktop

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Ford Excursion .... diesel 4x4...
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1974 Bronco candy apple red, white hard top
Does anybody know what if any is break in mileage, some talk of 1000 miles??
 

TurboS

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Taken from the 2022 Bronco owners manual:

1667755431743.png


A agree with Ford on the no towing or heavy loads on the engine the first 1000 miles, I've even heard higher mileage before towing.

I'm not sure if it's needed anymore, but I also vary the speed/engine RPM's for the first 1000 miles.

For the first 500 miles I take it a step further, once again may not make any difference with the engine but I feel better and I've never had a engine use oil after following these guidelines.
Short trips, constant on/off throttle, less that 30 minutes allowing engine to cool between trips. Gradually increasing max engine rpm over time (once engine has reached operating temp), approximate values below as a general guideline.
0-50 miles - max 2500 rpm
50-100 miles - max 3500 rpm
100-200 miles max 4500 rpm
200-400 miles max 5500 rpm
400-500 miles max 6000 rpm

Not sure if this applies anymore, but the theory is when the piston is under compression/load the rings are wiping the cylinder walls dry of oil, during de-acceleration/coasting the cylinders bores are being oiled. Hence the constant on/off throttle.

The day after taking delivery of my new 1989 Bronco, with a 351 HO, I pulled my boat to the lake ~200 miles round trip and that engine always used a quart of oil every ~1k miles. It's the only engine I've ever owned that used oil, and I had several 351 HO's.
 
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S

slicktop

Member
Founding Member
Jul 28, 2022
74
73
florida
Current Ride
Ford Excursion .... diesel 4x4...
Current Ride #2
1974 Bronco candy apple red, white hard top
  • Thread Starter
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Taken from the 2022 Bronco owners manual:

View attachment 4363

A agree with Ford on the no towing or heavy loads on the engine the first 1000 miles, I've even heard higher mileage before towing.

I'm not sure if it's needed anymore, but I also vary the speed/engine RPM's for the first 1000 miles.

For the first 500 miles I take it a step further, once again may not make any difference with the engine but I feel better and I've never had a engine use oil after following these guidelines.
Short trips, constant on/off throttle, less that 30 minutes allowing engine to cool between trips. Gradually increasing max engine rpm over time (once engine has reached operating temp), approximate values below as a general guideline.
0-50 miles - max 2500 rpm
50-100 miles - max 3500 rpm
100-200 miles max 4500 rpm
200-400 miles max 5500 rpm
400-500 miles max 6000 rpm

Not sure if this applies anymore, but the theory is when the piston is under compression/load the rings are wiping the cylinder walls dry of oil, during de-acceleration/coasting the cylinders bores are being oiled. Hence the constant on/off throttle.

The day after taking delivery of my new 1989 Bronco, with a 351 HO, I pulled my boat to the lake ~200 miles round trip and that engine always used a quart of oil every ~1k miles. It's the only engine I've ever owned that used oil, and I had several 351 HO's.
Thanks for this helpful explanation in great detail, i was entering incorrect subject :)
Honestly way back when i was young and foolish I would break them in the way I intended to drive them, never had one break amazingly!!
 

TurboS

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Also worth noting, during the first 500 miles, with on/off throttle and increased frequency in transmission shifting, I noticed the transmission temp climbing, when it reached 210 degrees I pulled over and let cool down, it was in the mid 50's with 25-35 winds, so it cooled quickly. I was not driving aggressive, but as mentioned above from the owners manual even the trans needs to break-in.
 

SevoSandman

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Oct 12, 2022
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In the stable... GR86 10th Anniversary Ed, 4Runner TSE, Cayenne GTS, Cayman S, 235i, Lotus Elise
Its been rumored that the engines have been broken it at the factory, but you can't argue with the printed manual... 🤐
 

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