What happens if you don't obey the break-in rules?

Parts may not seat properly, etc. But really, the improvements in machining, materials, and other manufacturing practices have made the break-in period somewhat obsolete, from what I understand.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(InfideNino @ Oct 11 2006, 10:14 AM) [snapback]331106[/snapback]</div>

The flux capacitor fields are not full initialized, and you risk a core breach/local implosion. Seriously, though, the break in is to help parts "settle in." Not following it probably means shorter lifespan of the engine, etc. I work with a fellow who follows the "break it in like you are planning on driving it" philosophy. He can't understand why he needs new pads at 10K becuase they are glazed, and his car uses oil at 50K.

 

If my car is any indication, nothing bad happens if you disobey the breakin rules. 2004 with 115,000+ miles and no engine, drive train or brake problems. Only maintenance done besides recalls is oil changes and tire rotation.

 

My question: Why would someone with a NEW Prius *WANT* to disregard the break-in suggestions?

OTOH: There would probably be little risk of long-time problems if they did.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JeffG @ Oct 11 2006, 10:46 AM) [snapback]331162[/snapback]</div>

Impatience and forgetfullness.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Oct 11 2006, 12:16 PM) [snapback]331178[/snapback]</div>

I believe the OP is planning a fairly long trip in Europe almost as soon as the car arrives. While he may be able to avoid hard braking and hard accelleration, it's possible that there are areas on his trip where he'd have to go faster than the manual advises within the first few hundred miles, or he'd be obstructing the normal flow of traffic.

 

Short answer: pre-mature engine wear. Your Prius won't run as long as you would like to.

A quick advice: Don't use cruise control for the first 1,000 or so miles. The will break in better if you flunctuate speeds. For example, instead of traveling at 65mph flat try vaying from 60-65mph every few minutes or so. This has something to do with proper engine compression and all the other things that are mentioned above me.

 

In the old days, they used to say that you should break in the engine as you'll be using it.

If power is more important than durability, run it hard from the beginning; not following the break-in actually increases the tolerances between moving parts and reduces internal friction (but it'll wear out faster, too).

Conversely, take it easy when it's new if you want it to run smooth and reliably and for a long time, but with a little bit less power.

 

Nobody at the dealer said a word to me about any break in period. Luckily, I didn't break any of the official no-no's in the first 1,000 miles anyway.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(InfideNino @ Oct 11 2006, 03:19 PM) [snapback]331297[/snapback]</div>

The Prius is different. There really is no reason to worry about a break in as long as you don't go totally crazy. For instance when you brake normally you aren't even using the brake pads because the regen kicks in to slow the car. Some owners report virtually no brake pad wear after 100,000 miles.

Also, the computer controls the engine speed and adjusts the amount of battery power used as you drive. Unless you are traveling over a giant pool table the engine speed will vary a great deal during normal driving even with the cruise control engaged. To get an idea of what you control and what you don't put the Prius in park and floor the accelerator pedal like you were going to rev the engine like in the old days. VAROOOOOM, VAROOOOOMMM. Absolutely nothing happens. The car justs sits there quietly no matter how hard you push the gas pedal.

You do have to be careful about running out of dilithium crystals when more than five light years away from a class three planet.