I've studied countless articles on the proper way to break in an engine. Well, definitely you are going to have the common two methods: Engineer's Recommendation & A Mechanics Recommendation.

Engineer's (The Manual's) Recommendation: be gentle with the motor for the first 1000 miles. Vary the speeds, no jack rabbits, no lugging, & last but not least, avoid full throttle acceleration.

Mechanics Recommentaion: Get down on it (Not all the time). The first 20 miles determine the characteristic of the motor. The cylinder rings will seal better. All in short, don't baby the vehicle. "Opposite of the Engineer's Recommendation"

What did I do, I chose my recommendation. Apply 1/2 to 3/4 acceleration randomly. Don't exceed RPMS of 4,000 for the first 200 miles (no full throttle). Don't exceed 5,000 RPMS ( went full throttle one time) at 600 miles, and full RPMS at 900 miles (few times I full throttled). I even broke loose in 2nd gear ONCE at 900 miles.

In my opinion accompanied by my boss who happens to have a Ph.D in metallurgy, At least follow the manual's recommendation, but not tediously. I find the mechanic's method convincing, but I would be more likely to lean more towards an engineer than a mechanic. My method leans on the engineer side with a touch of mechanic juice.

Final conclusion,

Toyota has developed vehicles for decades. They are a quality company and in my experience a very reliable one at that. I myself am an Electrical Engineer. So, I can say that I am on the same level of the definitive word "Precision" as Mechanical Engineers are. To doubt Engineers who've spent years in the Art, Research, Dedication of Engineering I find to be a little insulting. A man who designs and a man who services engines are two different things. A designer knows the in depth the true operation of an engine. (Efficiency, Heat Characteristics, Timing Calculations, Material Application, Research Data & Potential Problems if Maintenance is not applied). A service technician knows the operation and repair methods of an engine. (Sure he can build an engine, but the specs are all prefabricated from part manufactures.)

Engineers aren't always right. But where they are wrong doesn't mean everything else is.

 

good work

 

interesting. thank you for that.

 

One more thing, I just changed my oil at 907 miles. I going to switch to synthetic around 1500 or 2000 miles. I read that synthetic is the bomb beat!

 

There are already other post on this:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1574
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=76170

 

The Scion/Toyota engineers are going to adivse you to do what will most likely lead to the least amount of problems (see engine problems that would be covered under warranty), a random mechanic will most likely tell you to do what will help your engine go at its peak potential... which isn't always what engineering and factors of safety are all about...

 

Here's on I've written before:
Like I said on another post, I'm not sure about the TC, but based on what I've read about the RSX and the Evo it's best to listen to the manufacturer. In the end it's your car so do what you want.

 

Exactly! Your options are 1.) Adhere to the Manufacturer whose been developing vehicles for decades. 2.)Go by an online website w/ pictures and text and a guy who wrote a book. or 3.)Go with your gut.

It's your car.

 

break it in how your going to drive it is what i say. i do it to all my new cars and my new motorcycles

 

keep in mind the way the mechanic makes his money is by fixing broken cars now, lets think for a second y he would have told u to not listen to the manufacturer and drive it to its limits...

 

In speculation, perhaps hoping more sh*t can break and get more business from you.

Speculation thats all.

 

my guy told me not to go crazy and jack rabit, drag, abuse it, but drive like i would normally.

then after the first oil change, i can start going a little crazy...

 

You need to get on the motor in the first 1000 miles, you need to red line a few times. If you do not know how to break in a motor properly stick with the manual though. There are proper ways to do it

 

That's what the manual says to do, vary the speed.

 

Great job representing the engineers! We’re a quirky breed, but all that skooling better be worth it in the end… (2 more years…and then another 2…and then maybe another 2, hmmm I like the sound of Dr. in front of my name.) Anyhow, nice little write up.

 

Its probably a little of both. Mechanics can tell you what happened but not always why. Engineers can tell you why based on something they saw in a book but not always what is realistic. I am an mechanical engineer. Pretty much talk to several of both and combine.