New Vehicle Break In Period

I’ve been hearing and reading about buyers buying their 4Runners out of town or out of state. Some people have even flown in from out of town to pick up their new 4Runner to then drive it home.

This then brings us to my question about proper break in procedures- I’ve watched videos on YouTube regarding proper break in procedures for 4Runners, (and possibly any new vehicle for that matter) It mentions avoiding driving at highway speeds and driving at any one constant speed or RPMs for any length of time during the first 1,000 miles.

It looks to me like buying “out of town” and then putting the hammer down on the highway to get home may not bode well for an engine’s longevity? Increased oil consumption down the road is one of the problems mentioned if proper engine break in procedures are not followed.

I’m beginning to realize that I may also have to go “out of town” to procure a new 4Runner. I’m considering having it trailered home, where I can then follow proper break in procedures. Either that, or putt putt home at slower than highway speeds, while at the same time varying my speed and engine RPMs?

Thoughts, comments?

 

I traveled for mine, but only 150 miles, and only about half of that was interstate.

If I had traveled any further, I was planning to set my Google Maps to "avoid highways" and take the back roads home. Sure it takes longer, but you get some RPM changes, and you get a more fun drive home.

 

I would just get it shipped on a car hauler, my buddy had his shipped over 1,500 miles for less than $1k (last year anyway). Saves you the travel and the wear and then you can do your own break in.

I did my break in driving 500 miles on weekends on local roads and avoided the freeway. I did it also since i will be towing a boat. I'll admit I followed the break in precisely and stay on road of 55mph and under and fluctuated the speed all the time. But when paying this much for a vehicle and wanting to keep it for years I did not want to mess around.

 

I don't think most new vehicles require much break in other than not to redline it or do full throttle starts with in a certain period.

 

Put gas in it, drive it. Follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in your owners manual.
It isn’t a super car.

 

I bought mine 3 hrs from home and drove it highway speeds the entire way at around 80-85 MPH. I would let it kind of drop down to 60 and then get it back up to speed here and there, but multiple guys at the dealer told me there isn't really a break in period for these newer trucks. As long as you aren't redlining it, you'll be fine.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to drive it home from another state. I would just try my best to follow the recommendations of the manual.

I would try to take 2 lane highways where possible, and/or just avoid setting the cruise. It recommends to not drive at a steady speed/rpm for extended periods, so varying the speed will help. Also, if you take highways with a lower speed limit (55-60 mph), you can bump it into S4 periodically to change the RPM's

I believe at least a few members have bought out of state and driven home. Hopefully someone who has can chime in with some more insight.

For reference, here's the break in tips from the manual.

 

Mine is about an hour and 1/2 highway time for me, so I will do just that, "avoid highway" which will make for a longer but nicer drive.

 

I think towing with a new vehicle would be about the only thing I would try to avoid. Other than that, gas it and go. New vehicle tolerances aren't like vehicles from the 80's or 90's.

 

I bought mine about 1.5 hours away from me and only drove it about 75 miles back home. Did not know this....I'm almost at 1000, sittin at 987 right now.

 

Alot of videos says the break-in was for older cars other than not redlining or pulling a trailer like the others said. I have 947 miles on mine and 100 were interstate driving it home. My opinion hauling it home is a little overboard if your drive is only 2 or 3 hours. I was worried about the same thing because i plan on keeping mine for a long time.

 

Yeah I drove mine with all the break in suggestions for the 500 miles simply because I wanted to tow with it. I'm at 576 miles and still not see the freeway. I did it mostly on weekends to avoid traffic.

 

Just get it shipped home. You spent so much on the 4R, just a thousand bucks more. Spent another $300 and spray the frame with anti rust material.

 

Hello!
So here's what I've done in the past, fly to the location, pick up the new vehicle and go on and off the highway. So I use Google Maps and choose avoid Major Highways and use the back roads for the majority of the ride back home. And occasionally jump on the Highways for a couple of hundred miles... Hope this helps!

 

This is what I would do! Or, if trading in, just drive the trade in vehicle to the dealership.

 

Just Drive it and be aware of it like any normal new rig and take your time to enjoy the smiles per miles since your not going to hurt it by driving it home unless you pound on it and do constant hard accelerations and other things like that.

 

This is the best advice and thanks for posting what the owner's manual actually recommends: "For the first 1,000 miles, do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods." That sounds like turnpike/interstate/highway driving to me.

 

Myself I would get it shipped in a covered truck this time of year especially. Get it fluid filmed at home and if you want put PPF or hood guard on and break it in at your leisure. By the time you fly somewhere, spend your time, hotel etc it’s cash you put toward to shipping

But that’s just me. I would not want salt on my ride until it’s protected

 

I flew to get mine in the Midwest in January, and drove it 1,000 miles back home. I did keep the speed no higher than 65 mph, but did use adaptive cruise. Adaptive cruise worked great because I’d make sure to stay behind other cars until I would slow down and speed up again when switching lanes. Perfect way to vary speed and there was always enough traffic to not keep a constant speed for more than 10 minutes at a time. The only bad part was that there had been a big storm the day before, and I almost lost control near Des Moines on a curved overpass. Needless to say the tires were replaced two days later.

 

I just did my first 1000 miles Denver to Dallas and tried my best to follow the user manuals recommended best practice for engine break in. The dealer scoffed when I asked them what I should do, saying it’s not a big deal. I don’t expect them to be knowledgeable though or they aren’t the one to give you the best advice, the service department mechanics on the other hand would be better qualified in my opinion. I did about 100miles city driving and then 100ish miles in the mountains then about 750 done to Dallas with some stretches of 75mph for a while, but I took the advice and did very it and maybe got up past 4000rpm a few times. Didn’t try to kill it aside from in the mountains it really was struggling to find power but I have read that happens after break in. It wasn’t crazy mountains, basically den to winter park and I went slow for the most part. Based on my research it should be fine.

 

You will be fine. No issue with what you have done.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Remember, having it driven back is potentially less damaging than it getting dinged on a transporter.

Also observe rear diff break-in procedures and change the diff oil at 500 miles. Keep in mind there's no filter for the diff oil.

 

Thank you , long time lurker of this and a few other t4r forums as well as the 4runner subreddit

 

Thank you happy new year, I was not aware of the diff oil change and will look up the info now

 

It sucks it’s so unclear. I’ve read up a bunch and there’s not an actual consensus that I’ve found. Some say drive hard others say drive normal like your trying to get good mpg. I want to follow the manual but it leaves certain things to subjectivity like excessive periods or speeds and it would help to have an actual number. All in all i think its fine and not sure one could actually hurt it if we tried

 

What rear diff break in procedure? Have never heard of it

 

^From companies that do gears:
https://www.usastandardgear.com/blogs/new-gear-break-in
https://www.revolutiongear.com/ring_and_pinion_break_procedure
https://www.yukongear.com/help/faq/...he-break-in-proceedure-for-a-new-set-of-gears

You see the instruction in Toyota owner's manual to avoid towing for the first 500 miles? That's where it came from.

 

Had mine delivered by transport (see avatar) cost $349.00, approximately 200 miles. 3 miles on the odometer when arrived. Drove it around town for first 500 miles, no jack rabbit starts, slowed down by modulating brake pedal lightly. Changed oil/filter/crush washer with Toyota OEM at 1,000 miles. Opened oil filter pleats to find fine silver particles. Waiting to change again at 5,000 miles, along with tire rotation. Most expensive vehicle I’ve ever purchased, going keep it rest of my life, I’m retired on fixed income.