PeteLangford
BANNED USER
Date Registered: 02-2013
TOTAL POSTS: 13
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Breaking in the ST Petrol Engine
Hi All,
I have just purchased a new 2012 Petrol X-Trail ST Auto 4WD and I'm due to pick it up in the next 2 weeks. I saw a thread about breaking in the diesel engine. I'm not mechanically minded so I'm not sure which rules apply.
There seem to be a lot of different opinions, from babying it to driving it normally to thrashing it. The only consistent theme I can seem to find is avoiding sitting at the same speed for long periods of time.
Any advice greatly appreciated? I'm more than happy to do a few car trips just for the sake of breaking in the engine.
Thanks All!
Pete
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2/Mar/2013, 1:46 pm
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Toddyh03
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Breaking in the ST Petrol Engine
Pete not sure why you are reading about breaking in diesels when yours is a petrol..
Those that say thrash the engine do so with the plan to drop the oil every 1,000km (or sometimes earlier). If you don't want to bother with all that just drive it normally until it's first service.
--- Toddyh X-2048 (c)
New: Challenger
Old: 2010 T31 Diesel modified
My XTrail
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2/Mar/2013, 1:54 pm
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cooch t31
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 06-2008
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 5966
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Re:
There really is no need to break in engines in new cars like the good ol' days, just drive it like you normally would.
You will hear different people advise on various methods on how to drive new cars, I honestly think they are full of themselves.
If there was a protocol on breaking in engines, it would be the first thing you read in the manual, and surely the manufacturer or dealer would inform the customer, otherwise they would have to replace a lot of engines in a short period of time.
Last edited by cooch t31, 3/Mar/2013, 6:47 am
--- Tony X-891c
HERE is my D22 Navara
HERE is my old 2008 T31, ST Series1
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3/Mar/2013, 6:47 am
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PeteLangford
BANNED USER
Date Registered: 02-2013
TOTAL POSTS: 13
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Re: Breaking in the ST Petrol Engine
Sorry for the confusion Toddy, I was trying to say I'd seen the thread for the diesel engines but hadn't seen one for petrol. I don't plan to drop the oil that often so probably not for me.
I think I will still try and take her for a few longer trips rather than the house to shops, school etc.
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3/Mar/2013, 12:04 pm
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johnsey
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 01-2007
Location: Melbourne, Wantirna
TOTAL POSTS: 435
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Re: Breaking in the ST Petrol Engine
I think the main thing when running in a new car would be to avoid any heavy towing in the first couple of thousand k's. The cars manual may state this in the first few pages, other than that drive in a normal way and vary speed on the highway for this period.
--- Xcited Touring
Series 2 2005 ST Auto, nudge bar, driving lights, spoiler, GME 3100 UHF, towbar , bashplate, Yokohama Geolander AT-S and Kings Springs lift X495 (c)
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3/Mar/2013, 7:57 pm
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DogTrail
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 05-2012
Location: Sunshine Coast
TOTAL POSTS: 481
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Re: Breaking in the ST Petrol Engine
Some decades ago, the rings needed to be bedded in and the pretty rough cylinders needed to be honed by careful introduction to the moving pistons.
Not the case with oils and alloys these days.
Just drive it and enjoy giving it a touch of "toe' to the accelerator every now and then to vary the revs.
The best time to find a strange noise is when it is well under warranty.
Actually, if you enjoy a touch of toe, you can keep doing it but you'll see your fuel consumption rise exponentially with your enjoyment.
Last edited by DogTrail, 5/Mar/2013, 12:39 am
--- 2011/12 Australia:- 2.5 litre petrol 4WD, Series IV ST, CVT with Nissan bonnet & headlight protectors, mats + after-market HD towbar with added step for old dogs. ;) Garmin GPS, K&N air filter, DashMate, Black Pearl Tint , Dirt. X-2429(c).
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5/Mar/2013, 12:34 am
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evorock
X-TRAIL ENTHUSIAST
Date Registered: 12-2010
Location: Rockingham,Perth WA
TOTAL POSTS: 146
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Re:
I find these topics really interesting. I've always gone on the assumption to run an engine in quite hard with a mineral oil at various revs and temps right up until redline. The oil is then progressively changed every 500 Kay's or so until about 3000 achieved, which then safe enough to use a semi or full synthetic.
Engines are run in at the factory but with no loads. General consensus is that the dealerships can't tell you to run it in hard as they would have to accept liability if you stack it.
Mechanically, the piston rings do seat and wear in more consistently and tighter when pushed hard gradually under various load and temps. I do find that an engine which has been babied from birth will generally always be a bit sluggish and not revvy. It must be done right tho, it's not just thrashing it everywhere.
--- 2002 T30 Xtrail Ti , White 5Sp
Full engine rebuild, Single Mass flywheel upgrade,
Scott, Rockingham, Perth WA
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30/Mar/2013, 8:49 pm
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