Hi all. New prime owner, picked up car yesterday. I remember my father being told with his new car some years ago to drive at variable speeds and unagressively for the first few hundred miles while the engine broke in. When I bought my prime yesterday, I asked at the dealership if this is still necessary, and one salesperson said that it was, for the first 100 miles. And then I asked the salesperson who was doing the paperwork with me if it was still necessary, and he said that it was, for the first 1000 miles. Of course so far my car has run mostly in electric mode, so the miles aren't breaking in the ICE... Does anyone know if an engine break in period is necessary? I've read on line that some engines are "broken in" at the factory before they ship, and also that engine construction techniques are better now, obviating the need for a break in period. Thanks in advance!
From the Owner's Manual: The first point is in consideration of the brand-new brakes, to take easy, give them a chance to get "seated" properly. In an emergency, fugedabout it: just stand on the brake and let Anti Lock Brake do it's job. But whenever possible take it easy, keep good following distance, anticipate slowdowns. The objective of the second point is to put the engine through a variety of loads, and also to avoid sudden, extreme loading. This is good for the pistons and walls, and various bearings; helps them wear-in uniformly. Even beyond the break-in periods, both of the above are good practice.
Just stay out of cruise control....use Eco Mode....be easy on acceleration ....city driving are best for break in....after 200+ miles try to use medium acceleration from standing still for making some load for piston rings and other necessary parts to seat in...another thing to consider is transmission fluid ....this was discussed by Mr. Bob Wilson.... You can do it yourself not so hard.... Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
I do not understand what this break-in process means for a plug-in hybrid like the Prime. I understand the brake-related issues, but not the ICE-related steps.You may not even use the ICE in the first couple hundred miles. Are they talking about miles on the odometer, or miles of ICE usage? And when using the ICE, there is little correlation between what you do to the throttle and engine RPMs, given the sophisticated energy management of the hybrid control system.
In Los Angeles, the best way to get varied speeds is to ENGAGE the cruise control.... No one down here can maintain a steady speed to save their life. I find the cruise does wonders on my attitude also, not having to hit the brake... Let the car do the work....
I don't know, open road, level, and fixed speed with cruise: that is one scenario you should try to avoid. But yeah in reality, it's very easy to vary loads in day-to-day driving. Also, avoid jack rabbit starts.
With the Prius and its eCVT keeping a constant road speed does not cause the engine to rotate at a constant speed as it would in a car with fixed gearing. The engine speed will vary significantly with every slight gradient change. Its not something to worry about. kevin
I don't, lol. FWIW, Toyota probably boiler-plates the text (on page 309 of Prime Owner's Manual) into all their vehicle Owner's Manuals, but: they're on record saying that you should "avoid driving at constant speed for extended periods". And it's only for first 600 miles, easily accomplished.
Purchased my Euro Phv/"Prime" from a dealer about 200 miles away. Will deliver for free but I plan to go down and collect it. Will visit family in the area at the same time but that won't clock up many miles. It is a long journey back at the best of times and would be a much longer drive back if I don't drive on what we call the "motorway", which requires fairly constant speeds - depending on traffic volumes and barring experiencing queues or delays (which to be fair are not that unlikely). Not a viable option to avoid the motorway. Should I be worried? Any advice for my situation? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
This is a valid question and hope someone can shed light on it. Even when, say the prime, has over 600 miles on the odo, the ICE may have less than a hundred miles of use. Does that mean it is already through the break-in period? Is it possible that they break-in the ICE at the factory? That would be reasonable if they did. Anyone know what the break-in suggestions are for the Prius Prime?
Good point. Just be cognizant of what percent EV you're doing, extend the engine brake-in interval accordingly? FWIW my 2010 (reg Prius) Owner's Manual has the same intervals, so Toyota hasn't made adjustment for Plug-In version. Maybe something they should note in the Plug-In manuals.
You can accelerate break in using charge option where will engine run till battery reach 80% ...load to the engine is low in this state..considered you are taking easy on acceleration Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Many years ago I recall reading an article entitled "Whip Those Horses." Basically the article advocated all of the above comments, but suggested ever-so-often accelerating briskly, then let the ICE coast back to the earlier speed. It stated the acceleration thinned the oil enabled the rings and cylinder walls to wear (microscopically), then when you let up, the oil returned and polished the cylinder walls. I always thought that made sense. But I am not sure how important is is with synthetic oil, modern engines, and hybrids. But, I still practice a form of "whipping the horses" with every new car I have owned. Maybe that is whY I have absolutely no oil consumption issues??
Yes, but how do you do that with a hybrid, where the hybrid control system has its own ideas about how fast the ICE should spin, if at all, only loosely correlated with what you are doing to the throttle? It's not like just stepping on the throttle to speed up the engine, and then letting off to slow it down, like in a conventional ICE vehicle.
it's not that hard to follow toyota's directions while on the highway. the car keeps track of hv miles.
Where should we look to find the HV miles information? Does the transaxle need running in too, and is there anything special to do or avoid when in EV? Anyone able to put a number on the "extremely high speeds" that Toyota says we should avoid during the first 600 miles? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
