CAWjr

My new GX was supposed to be delivered by today, but due to some delays (still trying to get a full explanation), it won't make it until later this week at the earliest. I'm driving from Atlanta to New Orleans for thanksgiving (roughly 500 miles) and then back to Atlanta after a week. My original hope was that I would be able to get a week's worth of city driving on the truck before taking it on a road trip. Now, if it does get delivered this week, I will basically be driving it off the lot & onto the highway for a road trip.

I know the theory of "breaking in a car" has been rendered obsolete with modern auto manufacturing, but if I drive a new GX off the lot and onto the road, is there anything I should keep in mind? The only thing I can think of would be to vary my speed on cruise control (go from 70-75-80 in 30 minute intervals), but is that even necessary?

dadc4s

Just drive it. Modern metallurgical science, alloys, machining etc. have rendered the old ideas about seating piston rings etc. meaningless.

GoHuskers

Last year I made a 2000 miles trip with our 1-week old 2015 GX460 with about 300 miles on the Odo...it was perfectly fine. The ONLY problem I have was the Temp Tag and some stupid drivers think it is illegal to drive cars with Temp Tag.

Enjoy.

CAWjr

Considering I will be driving through Alabama, Mississippi, & Louisiana with a Georgia temp tag, it would not shock me in the least if I got some flack.

jeepstang

From the 2015 GX460 owners manual:

"Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
● For the first 200 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 500 miles (800 km): Do not tow a trailer.
● For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods."

The engineers at Lexus put this in the manual for a reason(s).

Just sayin'.

CAWjr

Thanks for posting that list. I think the first 600 mile rules are the ones I would need to be most concerned with. I would say:

• 70-80 MPH would not necessarily qualify as extremely high speeds
• Sudden acceleration is easily avoidable
• Not sure how you avoid low gears with an automatic transmission unless you are manually shifting (which I never/rarely do)
• This goes back to my "Alternate cruise control speed every 30 minutes" theory

Valley101

Jeepstang has it spelled out pretty clear. I am a rather old person and between my wife and I have owned 27 new cars in our lives, 20 of those being Toyota and Lexus. I followed the same policy stated in Jeepstang's post and have never had any mechanical engine problems, and none that burned oil.

T4Fun

stop and go traffic is best for first 1000 miles. Dont drive on highway at constant speed or put it on cruise control.

coolsaber

Drive it like you stole it. Get that good break in.
Drive it like a grandma
Drive it with varying engine speed in city traffic
Drive it in higsh gear on a long road trip.

Again choose one and go with it. Lexus has built the GX like a tank. Its built with a care less attitude.

CAWjr

Probably for the best, but my new GX will not make the trip after all. After being told that the vehicle would be delivered by last weekend, then learning this Tuesday that it had still not even left the port in Florida, and then today learning that it won't be delivered to the dealership until Monday (when i will be out of town), the GX maiden voyage will have to wait until after Thanksgiving.

Like I said, it's probably for the best since I can now break it in according to the manufacturer guidelines, but it's still disappointing since I really wanted to take my new wheels for a spin!

mikeps2006

i was in the same boat as you. dealership told me car would be ready for pick up on a monday and ended up picking it up friday, the wait is killer!!! lol

neelnaik

I am sorry to hear that you won't have your GX until after Thanksgiving. In regards to break in period, as long as you don't tow anything really heavy for long distances, I really don't think it matters. The GX is tough, it will take pretty much anything you throw at it.