Break-in period

[saaber]

This may be a tad off topic but does Porsche still say their coolant is a lifetime antifreeze? If so, I don't buy it, just like I don't buy Mobil 1 should go 20k miles. Additives break down and contaminants build up.

Another example from another manufacturer is Volvo says their ATF is a lifetime fluid and the only maintenance required is visual inspection. Give me a break, everyone who knows Volvos knows the documented transmission failures and they know it is important to flush the ATF. With regular flushes (at least every 50k, ideally 30k) the Volvo transmissions last a long time (speaking of Mobil 3309/Volvo 3309 ATF here).

I guess my point is don't just blindly follow the manufacturer's suggestions, take it with a grain of salt (as most of the manufacturers own mechanics probably do), and look for other advice, if you study it you may find that there are better products and better advice out there (such as in the case of the Volvo ATF needing regular flushing).

Originally Posted by saaber

This may be a tad off topic but does Porsche still say their coolant is a lifetime antifreeze? If so, I don't buy it, just like I don't buy Mobil 1 should go 20k miles. Additives break down and contaminants build up.

Another example from another manufacturer is Volvo says their ATF is a lifetime fluid and the only maintenance required is visual inspection. Give me a break, everyone who knows Volvos knows the documented transmission failures and they know it is important to flush the ATF. With regular flushes (at least every 50k, ideally 30k) the Volvo transmissions last a long time (speaking of Mobil 3309/Volvo 3309 ATF here).

I guess my point is don't just blindly follow the manufacturer's suggestions, take it with a grain of salt (as most of the manufacturers own mechanics probably do), and look for other advice, if you study it you may find that there are better products and better advice out there (such as in the case of the Volvo ATF needing regular flushing).

Saaber, most recommendations that I have read say the coolant should be changed at the 5-year mark.

[sp330]

For my Z4 I followed the 1200 mile break-in procedure religiously. There's more than just engine parts that have to get acclimated to use as someone said in this thread.

I plan on doing exactly as Porsche recommends (break-in wise), though my oil is getting changed at 7,500 namely due to my environment and driving habits.

[1JB]

I followed the break in period as well but I don't believe Porsche specifies one for their cars sold in Europe? I think there's a good argument to be made that the break in period for NA is more for the driver to get used to the car than for the car. I still manage to scare the beejeezus out of myself with this car every so often.

[saaber]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Saaber, most recommendations that I have read say the coolant should be changed at the 5-year mark.

I would say 2 years max personally but I have also seen the 5 year rec. Here is what the Porsche website says