Proper break in period on a new 04 Mustang GT?

[JR-04StangGT]

Note:I ran a search prior to posting this question but yielded no results for the Mustang GT.

Since my '04 Mustang GT is new I read in the owners manual about the proper break in period and it lists to go easy for the first 1000 miles.Having traded in a 2002 SVT Focus with no mention of break in period in the owners manual I just took it easy for the first 500 miles to make sure everything such as the engine,clutch,brakes and tires seated properly.
My question is did you follow the recommended break in mileage on your new Mustang GT or did you "drive it like you stole it" right after purchase?
Thanks.

 

[40th GT]

The day I bought the car I dropped the clutch and flung it up to 5500 coming out of the dealership. And then that weekend, I went on a 200 mile road trip. So much for "break-in". I did change the oil at 1000 miles and about to do another change (it's been 3 months) with Mobil1. 2800 miles on it so far.

 

[TrevX]

I have a 2004 Mustang GT and I took it easy for about the first 500-600 miles...of course I had no choice because I didn't know how to drive a stick shift when I first got the car so I couldn't be radical with it. Now I am a better driver than my mom and shes driven standards all her life.

 

[codyGT]

This subject causes alot of debate.

Most of the time it comes down to drive careful or flog it.

I just drove like I always do, with a couple of high spirited runs on the highway. At about 3,000 miles I noticed a nice power increase.

 

[04 gt guy]

with in the first 100 miles i had her up 120 on the freeway (wide open), and every once in a while i did mash the gas through 2nd gear, but after 500 miles your good, just change the oil, then at 3000. that what i did

 

[showstopper2]

I drove it at all different engine speeds never staying constantly at one rpm for the first 500 miles then began the flogging process.

I dyno'ed it stock with a couple thousand miles on it and then added blower and supporting parts at the 6k mark. nothing like breaking the engine in this way!

 

[jmk97GT]

In my opinion, I would take it easy for the first 1000-1500 miles just to be safe. I mean, wouldnt you rather have a properly working engine for the rest of its life? 1000 miles isnt all that much, especially if you drive it every day.

This doesnt mean you have to be extremely gentle on it, just dont push it, you know?

 

[propellerhead]

"Taking it easy" is a thing of the past. Just don't stomp it while the engine is still warming up. Maybe the first 2-3 minutes. That goes for the first 1000 miles or the first 100,000 miles.

 

[JR-04StangGT]

WOW such varied responses.....From drive it like you stole it to drive like granny for the first 1000 miles.

I have been driving at various speeds with a few bursts every now and then but yes after reading the replies I will be going easy for the first 1000 miles then change the oil.Granted it is very difficult to restain myself from flooring it and being pushed back in to the driver seat though.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[AdRock]

As far as hopw to drive it goes, do what you want. What people recommend will always be 50/50 on here towards one way or the other so you'll never really get the question answered.

I would change the oil and filter at the 1k mark then again at 3k and every 3k after that. At the 6k change go with a good synthetic.

 

[Dick Gozinya]

<snip>Granted it is very difficult to restain myself from flooring it and being pushed back in to the driver seat though.<snip>

Geeze, what mods are you running??...because I've floored my '04 GT on several occasions and, although the acceleration is more than adequate for a merge onto the freeway, I have never been "pushed back into the driver seat". However, I'm hoping with a set of 3.73 gears and a few other choice mods it will change that.

Now my buddy's 10-sec notchback, THAT pushes you back into the seat...in fact, it pushes you into the BACK seat (if it had one)!!

 

[HIGDON]

Break in period : distance from the spot it was parked on the lot to the exit of the dealership.

 

[Slider]

Break in period : distance from the spot it was parked on the lot to the exit of the dealership.

 

[TrevX]

Break in period : distance from the spot it was parked on the lot to the exit of the dealership.

lol

 

[Fast02]

I think "they" do say to wait until you have 10k miles on it before switching to synthetic due to the rings seating properly.

 

[HIGDON]

Think about this. They put brand new engines together on an engine dyno and then they start them up, let the motor get to operating temp, then they procede to run the piss out of it. . .The rings seat quite quickly once the engine is first fired up. Wear points on friction parts will be the same reguardless of RPM. The parts meet each other at the same spot, so you're not really saving anything by taking it easy. For your own peace of mind, sure. . but from a technical aspect your motor will be just fine flogging it from the factory. Just think, the quicker you wear it in the quicker you can gain those few extra HP from the reduced friction that a "broken in" motor has(due to the fact that the parts wear a "path of least resistance" with each other)