Breaking in new car questions

Jngrbrdman · 02-06-05, 12:37

I just bought an 05 Legacy GT and I was wondering if there was any advice someone could give on properly breaking in the car. Its my first turbo car and I don't know if breaking it in is any different than a non turbo. This is actually my first car that I am buying with 0 mile on it. My last couple cars have had less than 2000 miles, but they weren't my 2000 miles, so I don't know what they did. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

gearhead · 02-06-05, 12:58

First, congrats, that's a beautiful car! I really like the new Subie Legacys and Outbacks.

Did you get the sedan or wagon?

Well, don't redline it, haha, actually drive gently when the engine is cold (always a good idea esp w/turbo cars), try to keep rpms below 4k for first 1000 miles (I know, really hard), vary engine speed for first 1000 miles (don't have them be all fwy at 60 mph) and if you've been driving an extended time at fwy speeds let the turbo cool by idling the car for a minute before turning it off. The brake lines need to break in too, avoid braking hard for first 1k miles.

I still do the warming up gently and cooling down thing even though my car has 18k miles. You want the turbo to be warm before jumping on it and don't want oil to coke in a hot turbo that's been shut off. The oil flowing through it helps cool it down after a hard drive--here I'm assuming you have a oil bearing turbo and not a ball bearing one. They make turbo timers for this purpose.

Do you know how much boost the turbo in you Legacy provides? Okay, I could talk about turbos all day, enjoy your new car!

zzyyzx · 02-06-05, 08:16

Well, I'm not sure on turbos, but with just new cars alone, drive it easy for everything the first ____ miles (check your manual, I've seen 500-3000, but most are around 500 I think). Also, read or check with the stealer and see when your first oil change is. Some have a normal schedule, others will make the first one longer. Good luck and enjoy!!!

Bill D · 02-06-05, 08:21

What gearhead said

Basically the same thing: with my turbo I read to always little it sit for up to a minute after starting and before turning off the engine. Suppose to be less taxing on the turbo/better oil flow. Synthetic oil ONLY for turbos. Check bobistheoilguy for specifics regarding yours, FWIW I use Castrol "German Castrol" Syntec 0w-30

Lowejackson · 02-06-05, 08:23

It is also important not to 'baby' the engine to much. Obviously this does not mean to thrash the engine but build up the bedding in process over the first few hundred miles

Jngrbrdman · 02-06-05, 09:11

Very good advice. Thanks!

Actually, I'm not sure about many specifics of the turbo. All I know is that it moves.

I got the sedan. My family is still a little small for the wagon just yet. Although nothing says sleeper like a station wagon.

I'll try and keep it tame on the road for awhile. I drive about 10 miles to work every day through rush hour traffic and 5 or 6 stoplights. That should vary my speed quite a bit. I appreciate the advice.

Jngrbrdman · 02-06-05, 09:13

These aren't my pictures, but its the same car. I love that color...

I can't wait to see what a few layers of Wolfgang and some Pinnacle Signature look like on it.

andriver · 02-06-05, 09:21

Nice car Anthony. Good luck.

holland_patrick · 02-06-05, 12:02

Well seing that I also just got a subbie not too long ago I will tell you what i did.

1 don't baby it you need to seat the things that need to be set
2 I always change the oil at 500 I want to get the factory oil out
3 the next oil change i went Synth Mobil 1 If it's good enoughe for vettes and f bodies why not the Baja.

Now Some people might complain about the first one but let me tell you I have a jeep with 200,000 and I never took it easy on her and i never went syth either and she purrs like a kitten

G35stilez · 02-07-05, 11:56

Things my family has done with new vehicles.

Drive almost babying it for the 1st 1000 miles. Then, go out and drive reasonably hard for a couple miles, come home and change out the oil. The reason behind getting on it, loosens up any filings that already arent in the oil pan.

Then drive to 3k miles total (2000 more miles) and change the oil. In these 2000 miles, you can drive a little harder, but no tracking yet. After the oil change, you are good !

This has worked well for us, but other stuff has been stated above that seems to work well for me

. I would invest in a magnetic oil pan bolt. I have a Spoon Sports one in the teg and man, I pick up shavings each oil change. Not much, but enough to wipe off the magnet.

bet993 · 02-07-05, 12:30

Great looking car. Congrates.

I would look at the owners manual first and see what it recommends, and the check out the knowledge on a respectable site dedicated to Subarau.

Different cars require different types of break in. In fact some of the information given here is contrary to what I have read in the owners manuals for some cars I have owned. Oil change intervals also vary (sooner is not always better) according the the manufacturer and the type of oil used in the factory fill. Many manufacturers recommend varied driving conditions with varied RPM and engine loads.

The Subie has a flat boxster style engine correct? During the break in period it will very likely consume oil (which is normal) so it will be important to check the oil levels frequently. Once the rings "seat" then oil consumption will drop off.

As for letting the engine run to "cool" the turbo this true even after break in. A turbo charged car that does not have a turbo timer or some type of factory system that continues to pump oil through the turbo after the car is turned off should always let the turbo "cool" after a hard run. If not the life span of the turbo can be greatly reduced.

audio1der · 02-07-05, 12:45

Nice ride!
I have the dealer's brochures at home, which I've been salivating over for a couple months now.
If only it were I and not wifey to get the next new vehicle (mine is more practical of the 2 right now) it would be your exact car, with cloth interior (hate leater).

Nice choice