Running In Time For A New Engine

[saracen]

Hi guys I'm picking up a brand new IS200 Sport (Platinum Ice with black leather) on Sunday. Always bought second hand cars before and this is my first ever new car. One of my friends says that an engine needs to be gently "run-in" at first in order that it lasts longer! Is this correct do I have to treat the engine gently when I first pick it up? I had a test drive for a weekend with a Sport and know how these cars perform, don't know how I'll be able to restrain myself knowing I can't utilise all the power under the bonnet. If he's right how long do I have to do this, he suggested for the first thousand miles to keep the revs low and not take the car over 60 mph! - is this right?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Great forum by the way - lots of useful info that really helped me make my decision as to which car to buy (that and the excellent test drive).

[Wallace]

Hi saracen- congrats on your new motor. I think its quite simple, just dont diss-treat it. Dont thrash it in any gear, dont take offin sixth gear, just nurse her for the first couple of thousant miles. THEN ENJOY

[javaboss]

I'm picking up my third IS200 SE auto from Lexus Hadleigh tomorrow morning.

Here is what the owners manual says:

BREAK-IN PERIOD:

Drive gently and avoid high rpm.

For furture economy and long life of your vehicle, we recommend that you follow the simple tips given below for the first 2000 kn (1200 miles):

* Do not run the engine over 4000 rpm. Maintain engine speed between 2000 and 4000 rpm.

* Avoid full-throttle starts.

* Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).

* Do not drive for a long period of time at any single engine speed, either fast or slow.

* Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).

Phew! that took a bit of typing!

Anyway, hope this info helps you out! I shall be following the instructions tomorrow!

The IS always feels very 'tight' for the first 1000 miles or so. It really starts to loosen up at around 4000 mile on the clock when the car will suddenly start to feel quite a bit quicker.

This has been my experience with my last two cars! It's going to feel quite weird tomorrow as I'm sure my new car is going to feel very 'tight' and sluggish for a bit. However, I believe that it was very important that you hold back until the car has run in properly. It'll be worth the wait I can tell you!

[furtive]

Hmm. I wouldn't advise anyone to buy the blue demo SE thay have at Lexus Woodford then. I found the rev-limiter a bit easy to hit.

[javaboss]

Is that the one with the Oakham interior? My wife and I looked at it before we decided to go for Strathcaron Blue with Oakham at Lexus Hadleigh!

[furtive]

No, they've sold that one. I had a brand new Strathcaron Blue one on March 1st for the weekend before placing my order.

[saracen]

Cheers guys especially Javaboss for the detailed reply - guess that I'm just gonna have to take it easy for the first 1k and then slowly start to open the car up.

[agalbraith]

My dealer just told me to drive my IS300 "as I would normally do so" from start.

Admittedly I tend to drive like a bit of a t**t, so I did take it a little easier for the first thousand or so. Ask your dealer... it's their service and maintenance policy you're likely to be tied to ;)

A friend of mine, who has close ties with a safe swedish car company, advises to be careful for the first 100 miles (in case anything large drops off) then just drive normally.

If it's your first new car (as this was mine) it's impossible to not be extra careful to start with anyway!

Enjoy,

A