I am sitting at just shy of 600mi. On this topic. I will be taking a trip of roughly 800miles round trip here in a few days.

i am not worried about driving that distance over a short amount of time. What i am a little leary about is i need to hawl a little covered Uhall trailer. Empty for the first 350 miles, and then loaded with about 300-500lbs for the rest of the trip.

Should i not do this? Will it have an adverse effect on my break-in?

Thanks
Billy

 

Disclaimer: I'm not an engineer, and other peeps may disagree with this...

If you go by the owner's manual, your engine is officially "broken in" after the first 300 miles... requote from owner's manual:
"...A long break-in period is not required for the engine in your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km)."

So, you're already past the "gentle stage" of engine wear, according to the manual, and the weight you're pulling doesn't sound too bad. Just make sure your oil is topped off before you go towing, and you should be fine.

On a related note, some people swear by a 1000 mile first oil change interval, while others say it's actually detrimental... I can't say who's right there, but I'd say that if you're really worried about your engine, you may want to make the first leg of your trip, get your oil changed, THEN tow...

 

Thanks.

what also has me a bit worried is the wind we get in the spring here in KS.

I can't imagine that is very good for your transmission to be pulling a trailer with a 30-40 mile an hour side wind.

I blew a tranny (in an automatic) a few years back. Dealer told me that when your getting a stout side wind, and your vehicle is in Overdrive, it can be pretty hard on your tranny. (course I have a manual now...no overdrive)

i know that was a bit off topic, but just an experience that i had.

thanks for the info.

 

I agree with the break in procedure in the above link.

The way I see it, if the engine fails it's because someone screwed up during assembly or a bad part was installed.
Either way that's what the warranty is for.

I also believe in what someone else said (sorry I'd gladly quote them but I can't seem to find their post) They said they were gonig to install a oil drain plug that has a magnet attached to it to help collect any metal particles in the pan. This is a very good thing to do. In the past if the drain plug on any of my engines didn't have a magnet on the end of it, I epoxied one there myself if I was unable to find one all ready made.

 

Ahh...Here it is.

You got the right idea misfit

 

That's a great link.

 

I have found amazing stuff left over in the oil pan.. rod bearing chunks, lots of shaving and the such.

Just never let the oil go low.. ever. Or you will hear stuff tick and and eventually let go. Rod knock is not pretty

 

the day after i had my 99 TJ, i drove it 600 miles at 70-80 mph. this was a direct contradiction to the owners manual. it had 72 miles on it when i picked it up, and i rode her hard until i rolled her.

that being said, i've never heard of a car failing from following the instructions in the owners manual. that'd be pretty silly.

 

picked up the jk 350 MI+ from home so I had to ride it back - took interstate at 65-75 mph all the way - no use of cruise....
so far, no problems

 

I was always told that the best way to break in a new engine is to be gentle from when you first pick it up, and take it directly to a highway. Bring it up to speed slow and Gentle and then just take a long steady drive. Bring the engine and transmission up to temp and keeping it there for at least 30 min to 1 hour. This is supposed to be good for the seals, getting the rings to seat properly, and for distributing oil through the entire engine and it bearings. A family friend who happened to be an excellent mechanic told my father this years ago. He has done this with every new vehicle he has bought since then and they last forever. His 97 dodge ram drives, and shifts like it did the day he bought it. And the olny repairs made under the hood was an alternator.