Got a GT. How should I drive it in the beginning?

[Rod]

Greetings from Russia, guys!

I've recently exchanged the black PT Cruiser 2.0 Ltd that I owned for almost 2 years for another PT Cruiser. Starting from last Friday I am a proud owner of yet another black vehicle - PT Cruiser GT 5 Speed manual! Love it to bits![?]

The only problem is - I can't floor it yet!!!!

The dealership told me that I should be driving 'normally' for 1K km (approx 600 miles), which means no aggressive driving and no more than at 3,5K revs....The manual says 500km (around 300 miles)...And another fellow cruiser says I should be patient and wait till I get it to the 2K km mileage...

Hence the question - what would you recommend?[:I]

Most probably you've discussed it before but I can't find it, sorry...

Anton (aka Rod)
Russian PT Cruiser Club

[quicksilverdon]

I would heed the advice. I understand that to break in an engine properly, it's best not to drive at a steady speed - you should drive at a variety of speeds. You'll find plenty of pep without needing to go over 3,500 - and it's only for a little while.
Do you have synthetic oil available? That's best. After the break-in period, put in synthetic.

[Rod]

thanks, quicksilverdon!
synthetic oil is not a problem. I was planning to change to synthetic after the 1st service (5K km).

[MichaelDay]

There are two schools of thought. The most common one is to vary the speed but baby the engine for 500 miles, then easy for the next 500 miles. The other school of thought is to make sure that the engine oil is at normal operating temperature then "drive it like you stole it". According to the later theory, if you break it in the way you are going to drive it later, it will set up better for its intended use.

I did baby mine the first 1,000 miles.

[purple04]

All modern engines aren't as particular about break-in. That said, the Vipers (same co.) had issues when some owners broke them in hard. I was gentle the first 500 miles, and easy until 1000 miles. Varying engine speed and load helps seat the rings and cylinder walls. Hey, congratulations on the GT! How many GTs are around over there?

[Mike Radowski]

Damn, Purp, I want what is in your garage. Nice....

Mike

[purple04]

Thanks Mike. Would it make you feel any less envious if I told you none are currently running? Carb linkage on the Demon, motor freshening on the cuda and the 40 is not complete yet.

[Sci-Fi]

Personally, I would change the oil and filter and go on a long weekend trip (200 miles or more one way) with mostly highway (speed limit) driving. The temperatures would be stable for a long period of time and the engine would be broken in (rings seated, etc) when you came back. Then change the oil and filter again and you should be set. This would be similar to breaking-in a racing engine on an engine dyno.

The reason why I suggest changing the oil and filter so quickly is:

• 1. to drain the original oil out that may contain assembly lube and leftover machined particles and
  2. after the long drive any remaining particles from the break-in will be in the filter/oil.

"Flooring it" will, at any time even after break-in, put stress and additional wear on your engine. It is best to warm up (normally drive) the engine to operating temperatures to reduce wear and before you decide to floor it.

[Rod]

All, thanks a lot for your replies!

purple04 - GTs have been available here for over a year if I am not mistaken. I think we have 3 GTs now in the club. Most of other club members own the 2,4 Ltd with auto tran. We also have a few 2.0 Ltd PTs in our club.

Thanks again,
Anton (aka Rod)
Russian PT Cruiser Club