Should i take it easy?

[lmogilev]

hi,
Soon my mini s will be arriving . there will be a temptation to ride it pretty hard and fun with it. Ive heard from some people that you should take it easy on brand new cars or you may cause an extrodinary amount of wear on the engine. Ive been told to wait untill after my first couple of oil changes before i ride it hard. Id like to get some more information on this because i dont want my mini to get ragged out.

[Paul]

We've certainly taken it easy on our MINI One (now well run in) and Cooper (approaching 1000 miles now).

I think you should at least follow the run in procedure, and many have changed oil etc. before it's due, just to make sure.

I don't know if it's related, but when the MINI One went back to the dealers to get some work done, they genuinely thought we'd had it chip tuned or something because it felt too quick for a MINI One. Maybe that's because we ran it in so gentle, maybe it's just co-incidence?

[lmogilev]

could you tell me more about the run-in procedure.

[QQQ]

Quote:

Originally posted by lmogilev
could you tell me more about the run-in procedure.

Look here, I had the same question

[lmogilev]

that was an amazing tutorial. Ill take it easy. but after that first oil change. vroom vroom!

[QQQ]

Quote:

Originally posted by lmogilev
that was an amazing tutorial. Ill take it easy. but after that first oil change. vroom vroom!

No probs. Have fun!

[lmogilev]

To ensure that your vehicle provides maximum economy throughout a long service life, we request that you comply with the following break-in procedures for the engine, tires, brake system and clutch (if applicable):

Engine

Up to 1200 miles: Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle and engine speed during these initial miles while remembering to avoid engine speeds in excess of 4500 rpm and/or vehicle speeds of over 95 mph. Absolutely, avoid using the full-throttle or kickdown position for the accelerator. Once you have driven 1200 miles both the engine and vehicle speed can be gradually increased.

Tires

Due to technical factors associated with their manufacture, tires do not achieve their full traction potential until after an initial break-in period. We therefore ask you to drive with extra care during the first 200 miles.

Brake System

Approximately 300 miles must be driven before the brake pads and rotors achieve the optimum pad-surface and wear patterns required for trouble-free operation and an extended service life.

Clutch

Roughly 300 miles must be driven before the clutch starts to operate at optimum efficiency. Remember to engage the clutch carefully during this initial period.

After the break-in period has completed; go ahead and enter that rally race you wanted to get in.

LET'S MOTOR.

James Frost
MINI Division
Customer Relations

[Anthony27]

Another bad thing is racing a cold engine.

As a rule I avoid that at all cost, and whatever the make, age and mileage of the car I'm driving.

A warm engine is an engine with its OIL at running temperature. Because most cars don't have an oil temp gauge so you have to guess this. In warm weather I count about 3 minutes after the water temp has reached normal. In cold weather at least 5 mins...

After that you can take it up to the redline without any prob. I did it quite a bit on my 120 hp MGF. When I sold it with 50,000 miles it was as "revvy" as a 145hp version I tried shortly after with 5,000 miles... .

You can compare an engine to a human being. Too little exercise and it falls asleep. Too much and it gets tired and worn.