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      03-28-2014, 03:24 PM   #3
S4NoMore
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Drives: 16 340i, 15 X3d, 91 318i
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Philly suburbs

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2016 BMW 340i  [0.00]
2015 BMW X3 28d  [0.00]
1991 BMW 318i  [8.66]
Quote:
Originally Posted by TractionControlOff View Post
For example, I doubt I could take a 1200 mile road trip that is almost all highway and have an effective break-in.
False. Highway is the best break-in because it is not as strenuous in terms of start/stop, and fluids are at operating temperature for the entirety of the break-in.

City driving would mean much more time is spent getting to operating temperature and not be the better way to do it.

Varied engine load & rpm on the highway is as easy as adjusting your cruise control from 5 below the speed limit to 10 over and back down every so often, or whatever you're comfortable with.

I always recommend full throttle 3rd/4th gear runs up to near-redline without a gear change, followed immediately by zero-throttle deceleration back down to 3k rpm or below. This theory has served me well with 3 new engines so far in my experience in terms of oil consumption... knock on wood (2600 miles on the F30 now). The idea is high-load high-vacuum at operating temperature to help sealing surfaces get to where they need to be. I would do it with 10 miles on the clock if the car was fully warmed up by then. Realistically the major engine break-in occurs at the factory but I believe this helps.

Last edited by S4NoMore; 03-28-2014 at 03:30 PM..
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