QUOTE (stuabroad @ Oct 4 2010, 09:35 PM)
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On another subject, just exactly what is the common consensus about when an engine is truly loosened up? Or does that even apply these days with thew march of technology?
We've had some interesting discussions about that for the '07~'09 models here as regards gas mileage. The majority were reporting some sort of jump in gas mileage at (trying to recall) around 5K miles? There was quite a long thread on this, but it's also been some time ago. I was one of those who was a tad disappointed in my mileage, but saw it creep up to a very respectable level after a while. Seems to me that mine settled to peak at about 7.5K miles. No one could ever pinpoint a reason for this with any confidence.
There was also a separate thread about new engine manufacturing processes and break-in procedures by the owner. Conclusion was that with today's manufacturing methods, by something on the order of 250~500 miles, 80% of the wear needed and associated with break-in was complete. There were others who said no break-in was necessary. I argued that if that were true, they wouldn't still be cross-honing cylinders on the line.
Wish I could point you to those two threads. They were interesting, but may be hard to find now due to age.