Breaking in a brand new 2013 4Runner?

[neely]

I know modern engines don't seem to need anything special, but is there anything to be worried about with the new engine? I rebuilt a small engine once and had very specific rpms I followed during the first months.

If I am being overly paranoid, that's great too. Basically I am getting my new SR5 this weekend and am hoping to take it on a ~600 mile interstate roundtrip the following weekend.

 

[JohnsD90]

Usually a breakin period on new motors, im sure someone will post up what the 4R's are.

 

[MAXISTYLES]

Look in you owners manual. I believe for the first 500 you should avoid hard braking, driving at a high rate of speed and driving at the same speed for a long distance. So, if you are looking to take a trip you should probably wait until you have at least 500 miles on the truck as the owners manual suggests.

 

[STLDAVE]

Maxistyles is correct. There will be many who will tell you it doesn't matter, but I think Toyota's experiance and knowledge gained through years of engineering and testing probably makes them more trustworthy in this area. Read the manual and do what it says and you won't have to worry about creating an oil burning problem child down the road.

 

[adam2562]

only thing i've read before was not to keep it at a steady rpm aka long trips for the first 1,000.. not sure if that would apply to our engines or not

 

[philsey]

Don't sweat it, just vary your speed as suggested and you're fine. Several forum members have flown to pick up a new one and driven it home.

 

[neely]

Thanks for all the replies.

I will be sure to ask the Toyota folks. I could just take back roads, but then again I was thinking a rental car isn't too big of a deal, and that way I won't ever wonder.

Don't sweat it, just vary your speed as suggested and you're fine. Several forum members have flown to pick up a new one and driven it home.

 

[Ryan1975]

Breaking in a new Toyota 4Runner is a hugely tedious process. Luckily for you I have it down to a science. Follow my 8 step process and you will have a beautifully broken in truck for decades to come.

Step 1) Arrive back to the US from Afghanistan, rent a car up to your dealership in PA, pick up your new 4Runner and car trailer and drive 450 miles home.

Step 2) First Weekend: Go pickup your Corvette out of storage. If you have time, complete Step 2A as well.

Step 2A

Step 3) Tow your Corvette to Upper Michigan from New York by Weekend #3.

Step 4) COOLING! Cooling is critical here. Make sure at some point in the first 2 weeks of ownership that you get your Adult Frosty Beverage Recepticals installed in your rear bumper.

Step 5) Light Houses! It's June in Upper Michigan. Those abandoned light houses don't find themselves! A new 4Runner needs to find an old abandoned light house in its first month of ownership or else it gets sad.

Step 6) Road Trip! At some point at about 2 months of ownership it's time for an extended road trip with you and your truck. Personal preferences may vary, mine actually included another leg down to Texas and back to KC. 15,000 miles by the end of the trip.

Step 7) Show your 4Runner some claybar love. If you don't, I pity the fool.

Step 8) Camping time. 4Runners love the outdoors. Go camping. If you're over 6', remove the rear seat bottom for proper leg room.

That about covers it. It's really a pretty simple 8 step process. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[harper7]

Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
*For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
* For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
*For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended period

It's not only the engine that is breaking in. The engine supposedly is ran,tested and serviced with new oil before it ever goes in the vehicle.

It's the other mechanical parts that really need the breaking in......mainly the gears in the diffs,transfer case and transmission .Those recommendations are the same as any time a mechanical part like a gears , where metal meets metal under load should be work hardened slowly for longevity. I put new gears in my truck last spring from ECGS and they also recommended a 500 mile break in period.Here's a good article on gear break in.................New Gear Break In

 

[Ryan1975]

Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
*For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
* For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
*For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended period

It's not only the engine that is breaking in. The engine supposedly is ran,tested and serviced with new oil before it ever goes in the vehicle.

It's the other mechanical parts that really need the breaking in......mainly the gears in the diffs,transfer case and transmission .Those recommendations are the same as any time a mechanical part like a gears , where metal meets metal under load should be work hardened slowly for longevity. I put new gears in my truck last spring from ECGS and they also recommended a 500 mile break in period.Here's a good article on gear break in.................New Gear Break In

Lies. All lies. See previous post for correct answer.

 

[qnyla]

I now have 306k miles on my 2006 Tacoma with essentially the same engine as our 4Runners. No engine repairs or trouble at all. All I did when it was new was drive the crap out of it. I took a 1500 mile trip like the second day I had it.

Just drive it.

 

[Shamish]

I have always broken my vehicles in by taking them up and down a few moderate hills (we've got some good ones in the mountain passes) at a moderate level of acceleration. I may get up to some brisk speeds, but nothing like "driving it like I stole it". My TE had abotu 100 miles on it when I got it (it got traded amongst 2-3 dealers, not sure why) so who knows how it was driven before I got my hands on it.

 

[Newf4R]

Step 4) COOLING! Cooling is critical here. Make sure at some point in the first 2 weeks of ownership that you get your Adult Frosty Beverage Recepticals installed in your rear bumper.

I'm sure we're all interested in more info on Step 4... Did you simply drill 2 holes and drop in the holders?:cheers:

 

[1engineer]

This mod was done and patented by the legendry, almost mythical, Antman. Read the stickies on the 5th gen page for more great mods. Here is the link http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92013-antmans-thread-13.html#post868556

 

[lilsid112]

My first 500 miles were all highway cruising at 75 - 80 the entire time. Dealer didn't mention any break in requirements but Im not to worried about it. Im sure these things are built well!

 

[Newf4R]

This mod was done and patented by the legendry, almost mythical, Antman. Read the stickies on the 5th gen page for more great mods. Here is the link http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92013-antmans-thread-13.html#post868556

Thank-you... and God Bless You ANTMAN:beer: