Is break-in period required for new MDX?

Newer vehicles don't really require the type of break in that you used to see in vehicles 20-30 years ago.

The ECU (engine control unit) knows how many miles are on the car and adjusts the car for break in automatically by limiting fuel, shift points, etc.

You can actually do more damage by BABYING the car than by driving it normally. The reason is that engine parts won't fit together as well if the motor is never driven in normal conditions during the 1st thousand miles.

About the only thing most mechanical engineers would tell you is not to drive the vehicle at excessive speeds or at the same RPM for extended periods during the 1st thousand miles or so.

Replies to this message:

brahda808 (Jun 05, 2008 3:24 am)
- seawolf21 (Jun 05, 2008 8:40 am)
  - upstatedoc (Jun 05, 2008 10:55 am) and 3 more...

#5 of 12 Owners Manual has 600 mile break-in listed by seawolf21

Jun 04, 2008 (4:23 pm)

Don't have the manual on me right now but I did read that section less than a week ago. Avoid heavy acceleration and heavy breaking for 600 miles.

#6 of 12 Re: Break in Period [jmpage2] by brahda808

Jun 05, 2008 (3:24 am)

Replying to: jmpage2 (May 01, 2008 8:28 am)

Thanks. I just got up to 800 miles. Just 200 more miles and I can use the cruise control again. I was using the cruise control when I first got the MDX to prevent myself from exceeding the speed limit. I didn't know I wasn't suppose to use it until I read it here. Hope I didn't do any harm to the engine.

Replies to this message:

seawolf21 (Jun 05, 2008 8:40 am)
- upstatedoc (Jun 05, 2008 10:55 am)
  - brahda808 (Jun 05, 2008 10:31 pm) and 1 more...
  - nevadadave (Aug 10, 2008 8:20 pm)

#7 of 12 Re: Break in Period [brahda808] by seawolf21

Jun 05, 2008 (8:40 am)

Replying to: brahda808 (Jun 05, 2008 3:24 am)

I've been using the cruise control as well. Owner's manual DID NOT indicate not to use cruise control during the break-in period.

Replies to this message:

upstatedoc (Jun 05, 2008 10:55 am)
- brahda808 (Jun 05, 2008 10:31 pm)
  - seawolf21 (Jun 06, 2008 11:32 pm)
- nevadadave (Aug 10, 2008 8:20 pm)

#8 of 12 Re: Break in Period [seawolf21] by upstatedoc

Jun 05, 2008 (10:55 am)

Replying to: seawolf21 (Jun 05, 2008 8:40 am)

Break-in for '07-'08 MDX:

For first 600 miles:
-avoid full throttle starts and rapid acceleration
-do not tow a trailer

Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles

Do not change the oil until it tells you to

Also, right next to the break-in paragaph is the fuel recommendations:
-the engine is designed to run 91 oct.
-if 91 is unavailable, 87 may be used temporarily as it can cause "knocking" and will decrease performance, the long term use of regular grade gas can lead to engine damage

Replies to this message:

brahda808 (Jun 05, 2008 10:31 pm)
- seawolf21 (Jun 06, 2008 11:32 pm)
nevadadave (Aug 10, 2008 8:20 pm)

#9 of 12 Re: Break in Period [upstatedoc] by brahda808

Jun 05, 2008 (10:31 pm)

Replying to: upstatedoc (Jun 05, 2008 10:55 am)

Cool. If the manual didn't say not to use the cruise control, I must assume that it is safe and I didn't cause any engine damage. Thanks, I feel a lot better.

Replies to this message:

seawolf21 (Jun 06, 2008 11:32 pm)

#10 of 12 Re: Break in Period [brahda808] by seawolf21

Jun 06, 2008 (11:32 pm)

Replying to: brahda808 (Jun 05, 2008 10:31 pm)

However, if you google engine break-in, you'll see many advice on NOT to use cruise control for an extended period of time (to avoid constant revs).

#11 of 12 Re: Break in Period [upstatedoc] by nevadadave

Aug 10, 2008 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: upstatedoc (Jun 05, 2008 10:55 am)

Does anyone know what might happen for too much hard breaking during the first 200 miles?

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