Engine Break-in Dos and Don'ts

RagnarKon

Apr 14, 2023

Solid video from one of my favorite automotive YouTube channels today.

I see this question a lot on the Bronco forums, so thought I'd share. They reached out to engineers from multiple manufacturers to get their opinion, so it goes a little bit beyond the usual "well my buddy said so it must be true" video.

In my opinion... just drive the Bronco like a normal person when you first get it for the first 1000 miles or so (Ford's break-in period for EcoBoost engines). Don't baby it and don't drive it like a race car—just normal everyday around-the-town driving—and you should be fine.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon

Unicorn, Nminus1

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 14, 2023

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Apr 14, 2023

I'm glad I'm seeing this so early in my ownership! Thanks, @RagnarKon. 😎

Jon_McCray101, Deano Bronc

Apr 14, 2023

Lugging it is worse than revving it as the oil pressure is low at lower rpm.

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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Bluestreak57, TorgSurv

Apr 14, 2023

Bronco V-8
Lugging it is worse than revving it as the oil pressure is low at lower rpm.

Yup!!

I actually don't know how big of a deal it is on modern engines since the oil pumps can vary oil delivery rates. But on old engines... definitely a bad idea to lug it around.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon

Apr 14, 2023

thanks for posting, @RagnarKon. I've never been the one who got to break in any of the vehicles I've owned, so it was nice to learn a few things. Would have thought an easy consistent speed would have been best for break in, but it turns out ... nope!

~~2021 Oxford White 2-door non-Sas Mid package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top~~
2021 Carbonized Gray 2-door Sas High package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top
Keeping the Jeep~~s: stock '89 XJ and~~ 3.5" lifted '00 XJ on 31s and '89 MJ

TorgSurv

Apr 15, 2023

Off topic:
But I wonder what we will see in the future on these EcoBoost engines in the Broncos that have spent many many hours in the 15⁰-30⁰ incline range. I'd like to think Ford has spent time testing this, low rpm, steep incline, high Temps. If there is any concern of, rapid separation of internal components.

2023 Wildtrak, Iconic Silver, Hard top, ordered 10/5, built 12/13, delivered 1/18

Apr 21, 2023

RagnarKon
Yup!!

I actually don't know how big of a deal it is on modern engines since the oil pumps can vary oil delivery rates. But on old engines... definitely a bad idea to lug it around.

At what mileage is it recommended to perform the first oil change? To be clear, not necessarily by the manufacturer, but to be on the safe and cautious side if you plan to hold on to the vehicle for 20 plus years.

Badlands 4 door; Sasquatch; Eruption Green; 2.7; MIC; Tow; MGV; Lux; Modular Bumper; ordered 2/1/22; received production email 3/23/23; production date 4/24/23; Two Rivers Ford Mt. Juliet (Nashville) highly recommend!

Apr 21, 2023

Thank you for posting this! I learned a lot.

BN 2610
Reservation: 24 Oct 2020 1st Ordered 30 Jan 2021 2nd order: 1 Nov 2021
Bronco-Wildtrak, 2 door, Lux, Leather, Roof Rack took delivery: 1 Oct 2022

Apr 21, 2023

The Bronc
At what mileage is it recommended to perform the first oil change? To be clear, not necessarily by the manufacturer, but to be on the safe and cautious side if you plan to hold on to the vehicle for 20 plus years.

My personal non-authoritative opinion is shortly after the engine break-in period—which for the EcoBoost engines is 1000 miles.

I got the recommendation from my father, who is a (now-retired) Ford engineer. Do I think he is the foremost expert on this topic?? No, absolutely not. But he had a 1989 Ford Bronco that made it 20 years and 278,000 miles, a 1991 Ford Escort that made it 289,000 miles and 22 years, and currently has a 2005 Ford Freestar with 260,000 miles that still is driven daily. So... that's good enough for me.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon

Jakob1972

Apr 21, 2023

Got to drive it

Nminus1

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