Hello all, I just bought my 2013 Wrangler Sport 6 Speed last week and already have a bunch of questions about all different things. The first thing I was wondering about was the break in period. I'd look in the owners manual but I'm out of town and didn't bring it with me. I know there is a break in period but does anyone know what it is? More importantly, has anyone noticed any improvement in performance after the break in period? I ask because I test drove a jeep similar to mine with 900 miles on it and it seemed to have better acceleration than the brand new one I bought. The one I bought only had 7 miles on it though but it does have the 3.73 gears so I would think it would pull harder.
This could all be in my mind though as I didn't test drive the first one for long at all. I'm also coming from a 2011 Mustang GT so it's a completely different type of vehicle. Anyway, thanks for any thoughts. I'm sure I will have many more questions!

 

I don't own a 12 or 13 so don't quote me but i believe most normal break in procedures are to vary the throttle and be easy on the breaks for 500 miles...the pentastar may require a longer break in but can't say for sure, but the general consensus is that this particular motor does wake up a lot after break in. Again I'm not positive but i think the ecu doesnt allow the full tune (fuel, spark timing, etc) until a certain amount of miles have been accumulated...hopefully a pentastar owner will chime in and correct me.

 

I got my 12 back in June. The manual does not call out a break in so I asked my dealer and was told that no break in was needed on my part because it was built into the Computer. After 9000 miles I can say that it is a totally different ride now. When new the pedal felt stiff and I could not jump on it when merging onto the freeway. Now I have more power than I need when merging and the pedal is much softer.

 

This topic comes up pretty frequently. General consensus is to avoid constant RPMs for the first 500 miles. That's about it. I also have the 2012 with 6 speed manual and 3.73 rear. I am very happy with it, though it just turned 18,000 miles and I can't say that I notice much different in how it drives compared to when it was brand new.

 

Page 21 in the manual for my 13' says drive moderately during the first 300 miles. After the initial 60 miles, speeds up to 50 or 55 are desirable...
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in. Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimental and should be avoided.

Enjoy your new Jeep we sure do...
Eric

 

Varying the RPM "loads" and "unloads" the motor. This helps to seat the piston rings. Also the engine temp fluctuates with different loaded/unloaded conditions, and tempers various engine parts so they become stronger. Like someone mentioned before, don't cruise at one speed. You'll want to open it up every so often, for a few seconds (I wouldn't go balls to the walls) then let off. Good luck.

 

Hey I have a 2012 jks 6speed and I had previously read somewhere 1000mile (1600km) break in, just limit rpms below 5k... After the break in I definitely noticed a difference and then again after I switched to synthetic and air filter...

 

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I will be sure to do what is recommended. Unfortunately I only drive on average about 20-30 miles a week so it's going to be a while before she is broken in! May have to plan a road trip.

 

my break in procedure is , go get it muddy, go crawl some rocks, get it stuck, rinse and repeat as necessary..