New GS350 Engine Break In Period
06-24-13, 04:26 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
New GS350 Engine Break In Period
I have always been a firm believer in breaking in a new engine fairly harshly and quickly. Have any new GS owners seen benefits from this and are any of you even doing it?
06-24-13, 04:39 AM
#2
If this is like most new cars, no "break-in" is required liek you would do if you rebuilt the motor and just started. It is my understanding that the engines are "pre-broke in" before installing... just going by what I learned when buying the TL brand new.
06-24-13, 07:23 AM
#4
I always do an easy break in as a habit. I'm at a tad over 500 miles now. My 1991 Camry has over 200K miles and still running strong. My 2000 Camry still ran strong when I sold it in June. With modern engines I don't think it really matters one way or another.
06-24-13, 07:29 AM
#5
Nothing wrong with playing it safe!
06-24-13, 08:19 AM
#6
Yeap. Especially when I like to keep cars for 10+ years. I still regret selling my 2000 Camry sometimes but it was due for a lot of maintenance, exhaust, timing belt, suspension, water pump, ...etc.
Hell who am I kidding? I was looking for any reason to by a new GS350. I think it's one sexy car. LOL
Hell who am I kidding? I was looking for any reason to by a new GS350. I think it's one sexy car. LOL
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06-24-13, 08:28 AM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
When I bought my F150 last year it had 4 miles on the odometer. I broke it in by driving it fairly hard (around half open throttle), keeping it in lower gears and letting it naturally engine brake. Of course I had to keep it in manual mode to control the shifting. I did this for the first 300 miles then changed the oil. All the "break in oil" and gunk came out and after that oil change it went from 13 mpg to over 16 while driving normally on the second tank of gas. I don't know if it has anything to do with my "break in" process but, gaining 3 mpg just by driving isn't exactly a normal thing to expect. Maybe it's all in my mind and something that makes me feel better and the vehicle won't ever notice it. But, something seemed to be working and the truck really liked it. Who knows...engines are very fickle machines and some just like things more than others, I guess.
06-24-13, 08:31 AM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I am leasing this new GS350 but, I have every intent of buying it at the end of the lease (unless Lexus comes out with something else I just can't live with out) and I want it to be treated as if it is already mine from the very beginning.
06-24-13, 08:53 AM
#11
Like others have eluded, most motors are usually run in on an engine dyno after assembly to verify quality and power output.
But even so, the break in procedure is usually just to drive it "normally" and to vary the engine RPM and loading so that the piston rings and cylinders hone in together.
But even so, the break in procedure is usually just to drive it "normally" and to vary the engine RPM and loading so that the piston rings and cylinders hone in together.
06-24-13, 10:03 AM
#12
Drive it like you stole it, thats my motto anyway. I do know you are suppose to take it easy on the brakes for the first couple hundred miles though. I read that after my drive home from the dealership after a couple 100+ MPH stops, (Oops)!
06-24-13, 03:25 PM
#13
You don't really need 100+ MPH, but the actual procedure for bedding in brakes basically to heat them up using a series of panic "slow-downs" so that pad material is evenly distributed onto the rotors. I wouldn't recommend bedding in brakes with a passenger that is prone to getting car sick either! 
06-24-13, 04:10 PM
#14
From the GS350 owners manual:
156 4-1. Before driving ■ Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
● For the first 186 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at an constant speed for extended periods
156 4-1. Before driving ■ Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
● For the first 186 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at an constant speed for extended periods
06-24-13, 04:33 PM
#15
From the GS350 owners manual:
156 4-1. Before driving ■ Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
● For the first 186 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at an constant speed for extended periods
156 4-1. Before driving ■ Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
● For the first 186 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at an constant speed for extended periods