Engine break in on Rx 350H?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 114
Likes: 4
From: PA
Engine break in on Rx 350H?
Is there a break in recommendation for the 350H? If not, what do yins do during the first 1,000 miles? I usually wont accelerate too hard and change the oil after 1,000 miles.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 928
Likes: 496
From: NJ
If changing the oil makes you feel better helps you to sleep at night, DO IT. Being gentle initially is good, too. 
With ICE engines, hard acceleration or constant RPM driving is discouraged during break in...but on a Hybrid it's kinda out of your control, isn't it? Now you know why I turned on the tachometer display on our 500h.
With ICE engines, hard acceleration or constant RPM driving is discouraged during break in...but on a Hybrid it's kinda out of your control, isn't it? Now you know why I turned on the tachometer display on our 500h.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 777
Likes: 260
From: MA
Remind me when you sell or trade in your car, so I can stay far far away from it when buying my next car!
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 255
Likes: 170
From: PA
Last edited by Sonny3621; Aug 17, 2025 at 12:06 PM.
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Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 114
Likes: 4
From: PA
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
what is extremely high speeds? 75mph? 85 mph?
how do I avoid driving continuously in low gears?
what is extended driving in duration? 1 hr? 30 min? 4hrs?
I wasn’t sure what/how to avoid some of these things…
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 258
Likes: 42
From: Raleigh, NC
You know, the reality is the majority of owners follow the maintenance schedule or don't follow it at all. So when you buy a used car or even CPO, it is an oil change every 10k miles. Only people like us who bother to even go to an internet forum for a particular model vehicle, are annoying about this kind of stuff.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 255
Likes: 170
From: PA
this is in the manual, but with few specifics:For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
what is extremely high speeds? 75mph? 85 mph?
how do I avoid driving continuously in low gears?
what is extended driving in duration? 1 hr? 30 min? 4hrs?
I wasn’t sure what/how to avoid some of these things…
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
what is extremely high speeds? 75mph? 85 mph?
how do I avoid driving continuously in low gears?
what is extended driving in duration? 1 hr? 30 min? 4hrs?
I wasn’t sure what/how to avoid some of these things…
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
Page 184 of Owners Manual for 2026 RX350h owners. I’d imagine the same for all Gen 5 Owners.
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. (vehicles with towing package)
For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
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. (vehicles with towing package)
For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 142
Likes: 51
From: Ontario
You need to do several accelerations to apply sufficient radial load to the piston rings to aid in seating the rings to the cylinder bores. Periodic acceleration pulls at abt 75% throttle is a good guideline while keeping rpm’s below abt 75% of redline. Running at a constant speed applies very little radial force on the rings.
having said that, most modern engine cylinders are machined to very exact tolerances and typically require less breakin than older engines.
Jim
having said that, most modern engine cylinders are machined to very exact tolerances and typically require less breakin than older engines.
Jim
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 258
Likes: 42
From: Raleigh, NC
For modern vehicles, don't hot dog it for 700-1000 miles and then nobody cares. I bet most people don't even do that. For vehicles off the lot, I bet other people who test drive that vehicle that you later bought - I'm sure they pushed it quite hard.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 267
Likes: 208
From: FL
