Break-in period

[Paul]

BTW for all you 3000 mile oil change believers, do you change your brake fluid every 2 years like Porsche recommends?

[Paul]

I change my oil about once a year which is usually 9,000 to 14,000 miles. My owner's manual states 15,000 miles. My average trip in the car is always over 20 miles and includes many 500+ mile trips each year.

[Rail26]

7,500 for me...yep, the glass is half empty.

[tre_oh]

Last month I picked up an `07 Boxster. I'd driven it at one dealer and had it transfered to another dealer for the actual purchase. Being a Porsche virgin I'd been reading these forums to come up to speed on what kind of care and feeding was required. I'd read a post lamenting the fact that the Boxster manual recommended 4.2K max on the tach for the first 2K miles.

In an effort to clarify the situation, I asked both sales people what was the "dealer's recommendation" on the break-in period. "There isn't any" came spouting out of both mouths. I challenged them with the 4.2K limit and they said, "nah, that's bogus", but they couldn't provided any sound justification for their remarks.

I decided to lightfoot the puppy til I could read through the manual myself. Sure enough, my `07 manual gives the 4.2K for 2K recommendation. I'd rather be safe than sorry so I've just tried to knock out the 2K miles as fast as possible; 1710 mi and counting. It's a bit like buying a candy bar and having to carry it around with you for a month or two before you can eat it.

It's interest to see all the opinions tossed around here, it would be nice if a real Porsche tech rep could be coaxed into explaining the break-in period and the oil change interval.

Originally Posted by tre_oh

I decided to lightfoot the puppy til I could read through the manual myself. Sure enough, my `07 manual gives the 4.2K for 2K recommendation. I'd rather be safe than sorry so I've just tried to knock out the 2K miles as fast as possible; 1710 mi and counting. It's a bit like buying a candy bar and having to carry it around with you for a month or two before you can eat it.

It's interest to see all the opinions tossed around here, it would be nice if a real Porsche tech rep could be coaxed into explaining the break-in period and the oil change interval.

Good job, Tre_oh! You are doing the right thing, IMHO. Only a couple hundred miles to go. I did the same you did, drove as many miles I could, as soon as possible, to complete the break-in process.

If you plan on keeping your car, long term, I would also recommend an oil change now. Well worth the $100-200 for the piece-of-mind. I did my first oil change at about 1,200 miles and again just prior to winter storage.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by tre_oh

Last month I picked up an `07 Boxster... In an effort to clarify the situation, I asked both sales people what was the "dealer's recommendation" on the break-in period. "There isn't any" came spouting out of both mouths. I challenged them with the 4.2K limit and they said, "nah, that's bogus", but they couldn't provided any sound justification for their remarks... It's interest to see all the opinions tossed around here, it would be nice if a real Porsche tech rep could be coaxed into explaining the break-in period and the oil change interval...

Hi,

Why? Just like the Salesmen, they drive Hondas. And, they're not gonna stand behind you if their advice is wrong. There are several opinions here which I'd value just as highly, if not more so, than many of the Porsche Techs I've met. Good Luck with the new ride...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Brucelee]

The Honda manual actually specifies a break in period and methodology. Does the 987 manual?

[tre_oh]

The manual has a single page entitled "Break in hints for the first 2000 miles" (p. 19). It's too tedious to reproduce it all here. Quoting some of the key points as follows:

"This wearing-in occurs mainly in the first 2000 miles"
"Preferably take longer trips"
"Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops"
"Do not exceed maximum engine speed of 4200 rpm"
"Do not run a cold engine at high rpm either in Neutral or in gear"
"Do not let the engine labor, especially when driving uphill. Shift to the next lower gear in time"
"Never lug the engine in high gear at low speeds. This rule applies at all times, not just during the break-in period"
etc....