Break-in Process
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 70
Likes: 30
From: DE
Break-in Process
Hi all. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
Curious what best practices everyone followed during the break-in period. I tried using the search function before posting, but nothing came back. Appreciate any suggestions!
Curious what best practices everyone followed during the break-in period. I tried using the search function before posting, but nothing came back. Appreciate any suggestions!
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 70
Likes: 30
From: DE
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,640
Likes: 4,812
From: GA
Not sure where you got this, but here's what the owner's manual states:
I avoided hard braking and full throttle for the first about 600 miles... I did get it up to like 4000 RPM a few times, but didn't go near redline before break-in was done. Also, I made sure not to cruise at super-low RPM for too long. I'd vary my speed up and down to make sure the engine was spending time in different RPM ranges.
But you'll be fine. Don't stress about it too much.
Hard to find anything concrete.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 70
Likes: 30
From: DE
Not sure where you got this, but here's what the owner's manual states:
I avoided hard braking and full throttle for the first about 600 miles... I did get it up to like 4000 RPM a few times, but didn't go near redline before break-in was done. Also, I made sure not to cruise at super-low RPM for too long. I'd vary my speed up and down to make sure the engine was spending time in different RPM ranges.
But you'll be fine. Don't stress about it too much.
The owner's manual is either in your car from new, or we have the digital owner's manual in the car's infotainment system.
Thanks!
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 140
Likes: 33
From: SoCal
While it doesnt say it in this owners manual in the past a rule of thumb was to keep the RPM's below 4k during the break in period. Dont slam the brakes but gradually come to a stop, except if you are in a potential life threatening situation then do whatever needed to stay safe.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 70
Likes: 30
From: DE
While it doesnt say it in this owners manual in the past a rule of thumb was to keep the RPM's below 4k during the break in period. Dont slam the brakes but gradually come to a stop, except if you are in a potential life threatening situation then do whatever needed to stay safe.
Trending Topics
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
From: TX
Anyone knows the reason behind these procedures? I get the part of keeping RPM low because new engine might need to get smoothed out and rings to sit properly until they are safe to rev to redline.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
- 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. (What is concern here? Brakes? Personally I don't consider brakes significant to warrant a proper break-in because they will be replaced in a year or 2 anyway)
- Do not drive at extremely high speeds. (How high is extremely high, I hit 85 mph during break-in briefly. Also, what's the purpose here? Engine RPM can be relatively low at around 2.5k while speed is at 85 mph)
- Avoid sudden acceleration. (This I think it's to keep the RPM low)
- Do not drive continuously in low gears. (Why? Stop and go traffic it's always in low gears, so I should avoid stop and go during break-in?)
- Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods. (Not sure what this one's purpose is for)
- Do not drive at extremely high speeds. (How high is extremely high, I hit 85 mph during break-in briefly. Also, what's the purpose here? Engine RPM can be relatively low at around 2.5k while speed is at 85 mph)
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 70
Likes: 30
From: DE
Anyone knows the reason behind these procedures? I get the part of keeping RPM low because new engine might need to get smoothed out and rings to sit properly until they are safe to rev to redline.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
- 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. (What is concern here? Brakes? Personally I don't consider brakes significant to warrant a proper break-in because they will be replaced in a year or 2 anyway)- Do not drive at extremely high speeds. (How high is extremely high, I hit 85 mph during break-in briefly. Also, what's the purpose here? Engine RPM can be relatively low at around 2.5k while speed is at 85 mph)
- Avoid sudden acceleration. (This I think it's to keep the RPM low)
- Do not drive continuously in low gears. (Why? Stop and go traffic it's always in low gears, so I should avoid stop and go during break-in?)
- Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods. (Not sure what this one's purpose is for)
- Do not drive at extremely high speeds. (How high is extremely high, I hit 85 mph during break-in briefly. Also, what's the purpose here? Engine RPM can be relatively low at around 2.5k while speed is at 85 mph)
No sudden stops = breaking in new brakes and rotors
No extreme high speeds = puts strain on new pistons and rings
No sudden acceleration = same as extreme high speed
Do not drive continuously in low gears = I always thought it was tied to breaking in the transmission
Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods = allows piston rings to seat correctly
At least that's what I was taught. Maybe someone has other thoughts.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,543
Likes: 2,597
the concerns are: basically bed in your pads. you want them to seat evenly on the rotors so hot spots and deposits don't form.
don't stress anything out i.e., don't spin anything too fast or too hard or too hot. this means the engine and driveline.8th gear isn't bad. but 8th gear at 130mph probably is. all rotating assemblies need to seat and mesh properly. anything that spins.
basically be gentle, but not overly gentle.
same principle for any car of any brand pretty much.
also i did a break in oil change at 800 miles on my car. peace of mind.
don't stress anything out i.e., don't spin anything too fast or too hard or too hot. this means the engine and driveline.8th gear isn't bad. but 8th gear at 130mph probably is. all rotating assemblies need to seat and mesh properly. anything that spins.
basically be gentle, but not overly gentle.
same principle for any car of any brand pretty much.
also i did a break in oil change at 800 miles on my car. peace of mind.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 628
Likes: 184
From: OK
Also, do not drive at constant speeds. So, driving while breaking-in at 70-80mph for hours is also a big no no, mainly because they want those speed regimes to vary while the break-in period is happening. This allows for a better more complete break-in process
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
risc4
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
3
Apr 11, 2003 06:32 PM