Scheduled to take delivery today and was wondering what the consensus is here on the break-in period for our 981's? Has everyone followed the 4K RPM advice for the first 2000 miles?!?

Seems harsh on the driver

 

well, there is always 4000 rpm for first 3000 km, as an alternative. (it's not harsh on the driver, who is already broken in.) seriously, there is an awful lot you can accomplish below 4000.

otoh, if you really want to abuse it, you can go WOT on a cold engine in first up to 4000, shift to top and lug it.

it is possible to beat the crap out of a car and stay within breakin guidelines, and it is possible to be considerate to a car. take your choice.

 

I agree with Cabriolet, there is a lot you can do below 4000 rpm. Plus, if you intend to be in the car over the long haul, why take the risk? If you drive the car regularly, the 2k will go by pretty quickly.

Jim
2012 Boxster
Dk. Metalic Blue/Black

 

You're going to get a huge range of opinions on break in procedure. I don't think any of them are wrong. Up to you to decide which is right. The reality is, nobody has shown one way or another that a specific break in procedure is the best.

It takes some people 4-5 years to hit 2000 miles. I always wonder about those...

 

Just drive it....

 

Follow the break in procedure in the owner's manual. Keep under the stated RPM's. Don't lug the engine. Vary your RPM's on long runs.

Only change, I recommend doing an early oil change at the 1,000 miles mark. Send sample to Blackstone for your baseline UOA.

 

Congrats. Road trip!

 

Thanks, everyone. Taking delivery today at 4:30 (pics forthcoming) and then heading down to Sarasota. The trip there and back should get about 1/2 way to the 2000 mile mark.

I guess can vary the rpm's on the way down by running in 6th and 7th gear interchangeably.

This is my first totally new Porsche, so, just was wondering what everyone's thoughts were.

 

Congrats. Yeah, that's what you do. Figure for ever hour you drive, just cycle through some lower gears for a minute or 2, adjust your speed to stay within the 4,200 RPM limit.

Cruise in 7th for an hour, downshift into 6th for 2 minutes, then in 5th for 2 minutes, upshift back into 6th for 2 minutes, upshift again back into 7th.

You want to avoid sitting in 6th or 7th gear for hours on end, with the new motor.

It's in your owner's manual. Follow it. Don't listen to what the sales guy says.

 

Words to live by...

 

occasionally coasting in gear (disable the auto start/stop so the car doesn't drop to idle) is supposed to suck oil up past the piston rings, and provide additional breakin lubrication to the cylinder liners.

 

Lewis congrats on the new ride! Looking forward to seeing some pictures when you get a chance.


I did a variation of this. My first 1K miles were under 4000. After that I would occasionally let it go to 5000 RPM although rarely. After 1700 miles I increased to 6000 RPM once in a while. I never pushed the car too hard.

I changed the oil at 1300 miles and again at 3000 miles.

In 6k miles the Spyder hasn't burned a drop of oil and the engine runs beautifully. Man I can't wait for winter to pass so I can get behind the wheel again and have some fun.

 

I've broken in every new Porsche per the owner's manual and they've all burned oil. I completely disregarded the break in procedure for my 981 and it hasn't burned a drop in 6,000 miles. Go figure.

 

Like i said... It's all voodoo... Nobody can prove that their break in regimen actually was of any benefit. My non scientific gut feel tells me that break-in procedures don't really have any benefit other than making people feel better. I still like to break my cars in because it makes me feel better. 1000 miles on the BRZ? Time to take it to the track.

 

drive it like you intend to for the life of the vehicle.

if that includes revving the engine past 4000rpm, go ahead and do so.