Hey all, just bought a 2012 Elantra Limited yesterday with the awesome Circle plan E! Was just wondering what peoples recommendations are for breaking in the engine? Also in terms of fuel efficiency, do people find that their MPG gets better as the car is broken in or does it pretty much stay the same? I was averaging 33 mpg driving it home from the dealer. Thanks.
Modern engines don't really require anything special for break-in. Everyone has their own theory, but I have never heard of a car having issues for being broken in incorrectly. My mpg has stayed pretty much spot on 33mpg average over the course of 8500 miles so far.
I went pretty easy, as well, for the first 400+ miles. Varied the speed on local streets, a couple of country runs, and several interstate trips. Per the manual, I did not let the engine idle for any extended period. Then, I drove it home 1,300 miles thru the Virginia mountain terrain onward to Oklahoma...varying speeds along the way. Following day, out came the oil and filter.
I might add that I read "every single page" of my owner's manual the first two days I owned the car. I would suggest you do same!
My mileage improved beginning with the 3rd oil change. Using Mobil 1 5w-20 Synthetic and Hyundai oil filters. Do all changes myself. I know the quality of my workmanship and have never stripped a bolt or made a nasty mess in the process. Yeah, little OCD I suppose. LOL
Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the forum.
Thanks for the welcome guys. So far, Im really liking the car! I guess ill take it easy on the engine for the first few hundred miles and thumb through the manual.
OkieRich:, i plan on changing the oil myself as well. how often or how many miles do you wait between oil changes?
I'm changing mine every 3,500 miles. I know what the manual says, but I just don't feel comfortable at that interval...even though my driving is in clean, non-jamming, free of stop-n-go traffic. I drive interstate 5 days/week...52 miles round trip. With some weekend pleasure driving (and the occasional "honey-do's...#%€&$!) it works out to about 3 month intervals. NOTE: Even at that, the oil is a deep honey-brown hue in color, not black. $26 every 3 months is cheap insurance for peace of mind. I'm a firm believer that a car engine's internal components will go 300,000 miles if properly cared for.
Remember: 4.2 qts with filter. Pre-load your new filter with oil before installing. Instant pressure at initial start-up.
I swear the car seems to almost whisper "thank-you," after i change the oil. LOL
Just like my past two Santa Fes, I'll drain the factory fill at about 1,500 miles and do every 5,000 after that with a switch to full-synthetic at 10K. I use Mobil1 and Hyundai OEM filters only.
I just switched to synthetic, we have some cold cold temps in the winter. Besides a few more $$ for the oil, I cant see there being a downside to going synthetic..especially in a deeply cold climate.
For a breakin period, just drive without any cruise control and drive normally with a hint of cautiousness Dont have to baby it, just dont floor it and redline it too much! I remember when I was breaking mine in, I used the manual mode a lot and drove it in each of the lower RPMs so it wouldnt settle in the 2's all the time.
Changing the oil more than recommended yields nothing except possibly an easing of OCD, lol. In fact, several studies have shown that wear actually increases for a short time with new oil before it beds in. Changing your oil chronically early could actually lead to more wear.
Either way, cars rarely die due to oil related issues. Usually the trans goes, or ancillary parts like water pumps, alternators, suspension pieces, etc. bring the cost of maintaining too high. Something catastrophic like the mains spinning just doesn't' happen. FWIW, I change my oil every 7500miles.
Well put. I couldn't agree more. My Saturn came with an OLM. I use it. When I buy a new car, it will be a longer interval than what is recommended. While there are plenty of cars out there that have engines give out on them, I'm always suspect of the owners. I once met a lady who openly admitted that she never changed her oil. :wacko: Those of us who use reasonable care of a car, are more likely to just get bored with our cars, have them totaled in an accident, or get tired of other mundane repairs BEFORE the engine decides to give out.
just turn-off the Auto Eco mode and try to use the shift-tronic and drive like a manual, if your in the interstate try to get your speed to 100 miles/hr with 6k rpm.
PRECISELY, Eric!!! You and the manual: Well Stated. I mentioned earlier: Read the manual, new owners. READ THE MANUAL!!!
Hyundai didn't cut those trees down just to add extra weight to your glovebox. And if you can't seem to find time to read it (for whatever reason), put it in your personal library (bathroom). Next to your car mags and Playboys, LOL.
Break-in on my 2021 Elantra is 600 miles to drive varying the RPM between 2K and 4K RPM as much as possible
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