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Is break-in period required for new MDX?

12 messages,  Last post on Aug 10, 2008 at 8:20 PM

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#1 of 12 Is break-in period required for new MDX? by bhtran_62

Jan 25, 2008 (5:21 pm)

I just bought the new MDX and I plan to drive it on a ski trip. I wonder if I need to drive it a few hundred miles in the normal condition before take it to the mountain.
 
Any comments would be appreciated?

#2 of 12 Break in Period by monroviamom

Jan 25, 2008 (6:20 pm)

I was told that there is a break in period for 1,000 on the vehicle... altering the speed, not too heavy on gas or break. In addition, the internet sales manager directed me NOT to use the cruise control for the first 500 miles.
 
Good luck!

#3 of 12 Re: Break in Period [monroviamom] by brahda808

May 01, 2008 (3:21 am)

Replying to: monroviamom (Jan 25, 2008 6:20 pm)
I got an 08 and in the manual I saw 600 miles. Is it 1000?

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

May 01, 2008 (8:28 am)

Replying to: brahda808 (May 01, 2008 3:21 am)
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.

#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.

#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.

#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

#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.

#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).

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