Engine (and everything else) break in.

I just kinda babied it for the first 500 miles, then drove it like I stole it. It's under warranty if something breaks..

I don’t think the break in thing is a big issue these days. Not sure I’d hammer down on it myself for first few hundred miles or so, but that’s just preference and don’t think there’s an exact science to it. Modern vehicles are pretty much good to go when you get them.

SPliskin

Hi. New guy here. Just picked up a 2023 Badlands today. Got a question or two.

I did a search on the words "break in" and "engine break in". I didn't find anything. Kinda surprised. I assumed someone would have asked about that already. Did I miss it or has that been discussed?

I have the 2.7. Had 18 miles when I rolled off the lot, a few of those from me. Do I need to break it in (i.e. for the first 1000 miles no full throttle, no sudden acceleration, keep it below 3 to 4K, vary the rpm, no hard breaking, etc, etc.)?

No real break in period. 10 speed keeps the rpm’s low. Just don’t do pedal to the metal for 1st 500 miles. Chng oil at 1000 miles

Let it warm up, and drive it under various speed/load conditions. But do not baby it. Mine saw 5k rpm the first week. But only a couple times and when it was fully warned up. I'm at 15 k now it uses no oil and is def stronger than it was when new. I think around 5k it noticed it seemed def stronger. Use premium and you will get whatever peak power the engineers programmed it for. $5 or $5.20 for gas per gallon. Who cares? $3-4 a tank? I don't care its crazy to spend 40-60k on a truck then be worried about pocket change like that. JMO

SPliskin

Hi. New guy here. Just picked up a 2023 Badlands today. Got a question or two.

I did a search on the words "break in" and "engine break in". I didn't find anything. Kinda surprised. I assumed someone would have asked about that already. Did I miss it or has that been discussed?

I have the 2.7. Had 18 miles when I rolled off the lot, a few of those from me. Do I need to break it in (i.e. for the first 1000 miles no full throttle, no sudden acceleration, keep it below 3 to 4K, vary the rpm, no hard breaking, etc, etc.)?

From the 2023 Ford Bronco Owner's Manual, version 1:

"BREAKING-IN
Your vehicle requires a break-in period. For the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km), avoid driving at high speeds, heavy braking, aggressive shifting or using your vehicle to tow. During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics."

That's it... that's all you get from Ford about the break-in period. ;)

Still, that's probably good enough.

I drove it off the lot like I stole it and pretty much roll that way still. I have owned a few new vehicles in the last 20 years and am a firm believer in breaking it in the way you normally drive it. I have always had a bit of a lead foot so I break them in that way and have had good luck with the vehicles handling it.

I babied it for the first 1,000 miles. First oil change at 5,000 miles.

I would personally not recommend driving it off the lot like you stole it. A good friend of mine found out the hard way that a coolant hose was not properly attached and had to have it towed back to the dealership a block away.

I drive 2020 or newer Fords, and have never done anything but drive them normally and change oil at 5000 miles. I am admittedly a conservative diver (soft on the gas) and I only put synthetic oil n my rigs…. Never an issue.

bek

From the 2023 Ford Bronco Owner's Manual, version 1:

"BREAKING-IN
avoid driving at high speeds,

what is considered High Speeds?? 90+?

bek

heavy braking,

As in leave rubber??

bek

aggressive shifting

Doesnt the auto do this for you?? So did FMC adjust correctly then for break-in?
LOL Maybe FMC can answer these questions given their general response there

ResidualGenius

what is considered High Speeds?? 90+?
As in leave rubber??
Doesnt the auto do this for you?? So did FMC adjust correctly then for break-in?
LOL Maybe FMC can answer these questions given their general response there

My take is that high speeds references anything that pushes the RPMs above 3500 or so since that is the upper band. In other words, don't run the guts out of it for a few hundred miles.

Heavy braking has to do with heating up the rotors before they and the pads have "bedded". It's hard to see, but rotors that are broken in actually carry a fine layer of pad material which aids in braking. If you start hammering on the brakes before that layer is developed, it can possibly result in an uneven layer making your brakes pulse and not be as effective. You normally bed the brakes anytime you install new rotors and you always put on new pads when you change rotors. Personally, I feel this barely applies with a street driven (non-racing) vehicle, but I'd guess Ford is covering their bases.

As for the aggressive shifting, I believe that one is geared (pun fully intended) towards us manual folks.

I'm from an era when engine break in was a thing, and it was worn out by 100K miles. Yeah, It took it easy for the first 1K. I changed the oil at 3K even though the computer said it had about 70% oil life remaining.

ChetC

My take is that high speeds references anything that pushes the RPMs above 3500 or so since that is the upper band. In other words, don't run the guts out of it for a few hundred miles.

Heavy braking has to do with heating up the rotors before they and the pads have "bedded". It's hard to see, but rotors that are broken in actually carry a fine layer of pad material which aids in braking. If you start hammering on the brakes before that layer is developed, it can possibly result in an uneven layer making your brakes pulse and not be as effective. You normally bed the brakes anytime you install new rotors and you always put on new pads when you change rotors. Personally, I feel this barely applies with a street driven (non-racing) vehicle, but I'd guess Ford is covering their bases.

As for the aggressive shifting, I believe that one is geared (pun fully intended) towards us manual folks.

I was just being a smart a$$
LOL guess no mountain driving for break in

bek

From the 2023 Ford Bronco Owner's Manual, version 1:

"BREAKING-IN
Your vehicle requires a break-in period. For the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km), avoid driving at high speeds, heavy braking, aggressive shifting or using your vehicle to tow. During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics."

That's it... that's all you get from Ford about the break-in period. ;)

Still, that's probably good enough.

Thanks. I was going to ask where you where you got the manual, but I stumbled across it today when I was getting familiar with the touch screen.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll avoid wringing it out for the first 1k miles. Gradually work up to it over those miles, and stay away from hard braking during that time. Changing oil at 1K miles sounds like a good idea too. I've seen that recommended on some videos.

I'm picking mine up at the dealer and driving 3 and 1/2 hours home. So there will probably be a mixed amount of driving. I'll keep it around the speed limit on the interstate. I hope that's within their recommended driving parameters.

bek

From the 2023 Ford Bronco Owner's Manual, version 1:

"BREAKING-IN
Your vehicle requires a break-in period. For the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km), avoid driving at high speeds, heavy braking, aggressive shifting or using your vehicle to tow. During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics."

That's it... that's all you get from Ford about the break-in period. ;)

Still, that's probably good enough.

The brakes are a good one to remember. They haven’t changed much in 15-20 years and working with “fast” cars I saw glazing where kids/adults would take a new car out and smash the brakes. The pads would glaze and the rotors would warp. after 200-300 miles in city type driving and you are good

2021 Badlands 2.7, 33000 miles. I varied rpms for the first 500 miles (nothing to high). Changed the oil (synthetic blend) at 1000 and again at 3000. Still changed the oil 20-30% oil life left. Runs as good today as the day I drove it off the showroom floor.

TechnicalDisaster

I babied it for the first 1,000 miles. First oil change at 5,000 miles.

I would personally not recommend driving it off the lot like you stole it. A good friend of mine found out the hard way that a coolant hose was not properly attached and had to have it towed back to the dealership a block away.

Wouldn’t a coolant hose not properly installed resulted in the same outcome no matter what. Driving it like you stole it would not make the difference in that!

jcampbelldds

Wouldn’t a coolant hose not properly installed resulted in the same outcome no matter what. Driving it like you stole it would not make the difference in that!

I guess I wouldn’t want to engine too warm when a coolant hose blew. There are probably enough sensors to cut the engine before serious damage occurs. But why change it?