How many miles until a new vehicle broken in?

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Hi All,

I'm considering flushing all fluids (namely transmission, transfer case, and differentials) on a 2018 Ford F-150 with the 2.7 ecoboost after it is "broken in." Is 15,000 miles a reasonable number?

Thanks!
 
Prob at 600 miles......new engines do not require long break in periods.
Ask the dealer service department.
 
It's just my opinion, but I bought a 2018 Silverado 3500HD last year.

I'm changing out the tranny, t-case, and differential fluids at 30k miles. I'm at 13k now. I don't pull much with my truck. It has a fairly easy life.

I'm sure changing everything out at 50k would be just fine....but I'm going to do it at 30k.
 
I believe that there are different levels of being broken in. I feel differences(vehicle/engine dependent) starting at e.g., 10K-15K miles and then again something after 30K or 50K miles all the way up to or close to 100K and on & on. Just these little differences over time that I notice an engine(I should say, drive train) being broken in. Often with smoothness, revs, response, fuel economy and any number of thing that make it feel different than when new. Broken-in, not broken!
laugh.gif
 
How long do you plan to keep? If you are 5 and done then I wouldn't bother. Reason being, too many go to 150k plus (more like 200k plus) without having trans and diffs and TC ever being touched.

Now if you are after 10 years and 300k... different story.

Anyhow. 30k on TC and diffs I'd say, trans maybe 30k if not 50k. Or just 50k on all. It's not like the olden days--and even then, many of those diffs went "forever" on factory lube.

But if 15k makes you feel good, go for it. If you were towing heavy then I'd be more apt to change at 15k like you are thinking about.
 
Engine 15-20K from UOA wear trend data. But that's not your concern here I guess.

Just make sure they put a good fluid back in "change" isnt always BETTER.

Servicing my Rogue SUV, My Nissan dealer put in sub-optimal Mobil HD A 85W-90 gear oil that was clearly far from the factory spec fluids.
 
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
What does Ford say ? They know better than anyone else.


They may know but they dont write the manual, usually bean counters who want "low maintence" write it.

For the first change and getting any break in debris out I would say 15k miles is reasonable.

After that its not nearly as important maybe 30k-50k mile intervals.. for severe use.
 
Here is what I do for my vehicles:

Engine at: 600 Miles, 1875 Miles, 3K miles, then severe duty schedule as per the manual until I can run the first UOA to see what the engine is capable of. I don't trust OLM's because I think they are too generous in most instances.
(Flushes out all the sealants, assembly lubes, and break-in swarf from the engine internals and oil pan with these frequent changes all at the beginning and it's cheap insurance) I typically only change the filter on the last change.

Transmission at: 30K Miles (Complete fluid and filter change). You can also do drain/refill (partial) at 1/2 that and again at 30K miles.
I prefer the first method but on some transmissions it's difficult or they don't have serviceable filters so I use the secondary method instead)

Hydraulic Power Steering: First/Every 30K miles

Coolant: 1/2 the OE interval for time/mileage and I just spill/fill the radiator. Doing it this way versus running it to the end of the interval allows you to always have fresh coolant and never need a full flush / exchange.

Differentials: Within the first 30K miles and then every 50K miles thereafter.

Brake Fluid: Every 2 years regardless of mileage because of moisture accumulation
 
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I would just follow the maintenance schedule in the manual. I wouldn't think they would use cheap fluids in a new vehicle because they want them to make it thru the warranty period without any issues.
 
I seem to recall that the manufacturer's break period quoted for my father's brand new 1964 Dodge sedan back then was 500 miles or so. I recall him awaiting the break in period to be over so he could open up that slant 6 with a three on the tree.

I don't see how on earth the break in period on today's engines should be the many thousands of miles suggested by some of our posters. I don't believe most manufacturers state much, if anything about a break in period these days. Do these posters know something that the manufacturers do not? -- or is it just being fussy "to be on the safe side since it is an expensive purchase".
 
There is a thread here on BITOG where a new Ford Engine was tested and the wear metals were monitored during break in. After 45 hours of running the metals dropped and plateaued. This would equate to as little as 2,000 miles for most people. Something to consider.
Thread here..
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/4781847/Searchpage/1/Main/290829/Words/%2Bradioactive+%2Bford/Search/true/gdi-engine-wear-test-development#Post4781847
 
I've had 4 new nissans, 03 and 09 altima, 2007 Murano and now a 2018 rogue. The only one I drained the original oil before the manual called for was the 09. That car was the only one to ever use a drop of oil....coincidence? My 2001 Volvo and daughters 07 s80 were changed from day 1 at factory intervals and never any consumption.
 
Depends on the car/truck. Most Japanese vehicles have break in oil/additive in them
and draining before say 3000 or so is counter productive.
Even American made stuff could/should go until about 2000 or so before
the 1st oil change.

My 2¢
 
Originally Posted by dwendt44
Depends on the car/truck. Most Japanese vehicles have break in oil/additive in them
and draining before say 3000 or so is counter productive.
Even American made stuff could/should go until about 2000 or so before
the 1st oil change.

My 2¢


No break in oil is used. Some of the higher moly readings are from assy lube like eg MolyKote Gn and are of little or no value once the engine is running and getting oil.
 
Changing engine oil between 500-1000 miles is good. I did the transmission fluid, differentials and transfer case in my Wrangler at 10k miles.
Originally Posted by kehyler
Hi All,

I'm considering flushing all fluids (namely transmission, transfer case, and differentials) on a 2018 Ford F-150 with the 2.7 ecoboost after it is "broken in." Is 15,000 miles a reasonable number?

Thanks!

That's a reasonable number. I did mine at 10 K miles in my 2016 Wrangler.
 
IMO the breakin period is as defined by the manufacturer. However there is often more fine tuned wearing in occurring up to 10k or so. My last Subaru increased fuel economy and transmission smoothness up to around 10k. I generally replace oil per then manufacture's guidelines and diff fluid around 20-30k to remove all particles. I had the dealer change my CVT fluid with oem around 50k to remove the contaminants. It shifted more smoothly after that. I think if you do one change of trans and diff fluids (with an oem or better fluid) on those lifetime units to get out the factory fill, you will likely be good till 300k under normal service duty.
 
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UOAs on my engines suggest that a full break-in and final polishing/burnishing is complete by 7-8,000 miles although 90% completed by 3,000 miles. Ed
 
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