Break-in instructions are a guidance, not a rule. The warranty does NOT depend on following it. If it's a manual car and you have level 5 over-revs, that's another thing. But I know that Porsche themselves have stated that the warranty is entirely separate from break-in recommendations. They couldn't legally enforce it in any shape or form anyway.

And specifically for those who feel they should follow the subscribed break-in rigorously: why does the US have a much higher break-in mileage than the exact same car in Europe? Where are the metallurgical differences in the engine to explain the two very different numbers?

 

The fear of voiding the warranty is what holds me from using the full rpm range. Do you know where I can find something states by Porsche that the break in process is just “soft law”?

To your other point, I am based in the EU and my car’s manual says 3,000 km (ie 1,864 miles) below 4,000 rpm. What do US manuals say?

 

I’ve throroughly gone thru the manual (English language) and so far I haven’t found any mention of “proper break in procedure”.

If its mentioned in yours, may I know which section says so? Or is it ok to screen shot and post here in the forum?

Thanks!

 

Here's in spanish

 

5 full heat cycles at mixed throttle up to 50%. Usually 100 miles or so, then get along and enjoy it.

Don’t baby the motor it’ll never make good power and will always use more oil than a motor that’s ran in as above.

JC

 

Ah

ah found it... thanks!

 

I seem to remember they test the engine before it leaves the assembly area and before it goes into the car.

Porsche serializes every part in that engine to track quality. Six-Sigma on steroids.

 

interesting... what is your take on why they list a ‘run in’ in the manual then?

 

I honestly don't know why these break-in rules exist. I have owned many high performance cars. I limit revs for about the first 300 miles, then I drive very hard, and vary the revs a lot for another few hundred miles. Have never had an issue. Driving hard early on also heat cycles your engine internals, particularly the piston rings, and you will be less prone to burning oil in the long run.

Do the math......figure out how many revolutions your engine has done in 300 miles of driving at about an average of 60mph. if it isn't broken in by then, it will never be!!!

 

Quite honestly, I don’t have a theory on why they say this nor have I been able to get an answer from anyone high up enough to know.

It’s outdated however and Porsche (and all manufactures) are aware that a large proportion don’t adhere to the break in suggestions anyway.

If it were at all important it would be extremely easy for them to programme in their preferred RPM and throttle opening limitations which were incrementally removed as the miles click up. Or, warranty implications if you didn’t follow break in procedure.

What is super important is to allow the engine (and gearbox) to come up to temp before leaning on it. I think most do that anyway however as it’s fairly obvious.

JC