tarpon1

while i continue to exercise the same restraint as a little kid who's told not to open his xmas presents early, i am looking for clarification on the amount of time necessary for proper break in before being able to drive the car harder. i read one thread that indicated that those who drove the car harder from day one sometimes ended up with a more powerful and faster car than those who followed the more conservative route. i have also seen 600, 1200 and 2000 miles as being the right number. (i currently have 400 miles on mine). while i will end up doing the right thing given that amount of cash invested (9 pioneer elite plasma screens); i can taste what's waiting....

MJones

You can't go wrong following the Mfg break in procedure, but you will find that there are a wide spectrum of opinions on this topic.
For me varying the engne rpms as well as heat up and in particular cool down are most important.
Cool down to let all of the internal temps stabilize (ie don't do a hard run and just shut it off)
What the heck it's only 2,000 mi

CO997

When I picked up my 997 a few weeks ago I was told by the sales manager and service manager that the breakin period was under 4200 rpms until 2000 miles. However 2 minutes later a salesman came up and said he just got back from the factory and they told him that all the breakin that is needed is done before the engine is even put in the car. He said you can basically drive it however you want as soon as you get off the lot. As appealing as that is I'm still sticking to the 2000 mile period just to be safe. I've got about 900 miles to go and I'm counting everyone!

Weissy

My salesman told me the excat same thing about the breakin beeing finished at the factory when I got my 02 Boxster S. I would still stick with the 2k though how long can it reall take to put 2k on a new 997 S!!!!!!!!

CO997

It does make some sense that the engine would be broken in at the factory. Imagine picking your car up in Germany and going out on the autobahn and haveing to stay below 4200 rpm. That's enough to make anyone crazy!!

ADias

I think what's sensible to do is on average not to exceed 4-4.5k RPM all the time during the first 2k miles. Varying RPMs is very good, an occasional romp to 6k RPM (non-sustaining ) when the engine is hot in 2nd or 3rd is very fine too - just don't do it cold or in 1st. After the first 2k miles I would progressively increase shift points - I would not go from one day to the next from 4k to 7k RPM shifts all the time.

MrBonus

I usually am not a stickler for break-ins but go easy on the drivetrain for the first 300-500 miles. The clutch is probably the most sensitive to break-in procedures.

jcnesq

My mechanic (a top notch Porsche dealer guy who has been there 25 years) told me not to worry about 2,000 miles and after maybe 500 miles to just go have fun. Notwithstanding that, I took it easy for the first 2,000 miles, although after 1,000 miles I gradually started pushing it harder on occasion. I ALWAYS make sure the oil temp is up to normal operating range before pushing the car. I believe in varying the revs, i.e. intentionally shifting so your not driving in the same RPM range for long distances. I have never had a problem doing it that way.

mal28

This topic comes up frequently, I have always followed the break in recommendations as described in the maual, for those who do not, I have a simple question "Why would Porsche recommend this if it was not necessary, what do they have to gain ?"

mrcohanian

I don't believe in this break in nonsense but than again I lease.......

997man

For you die hard break in addicts,it is better to stay in lower gears with higher revs than to do the reverse and "lug" the engine (so stay out 5th & 6th gear if accelerating or going up inclines.) Lugging the engine is harmful to the rings!