The last I saw, Hyundai recommends the first 1,000 miles as a break in period; driving somewhat gently and frequently changing your speed (changing the RPMs of the engine). For the PHEV, that is an interesting question.

My personal thought would possibly to use the car maybe 2 days out of the week, at least in one direction of your commute, in HEV mode the entire way. This would slowly help the engine be broken in, as well as keeping the engine from sitting too much. If you want to break it in faster, maybe use it in HEV mode only for a couple of weeks, or a month, depending on how many miles you are driving. As you start putting miles on the engine, you could start using HEV mode less and less -- though it still would seem to make sense to run in HEV mode once every two weeks, or so. I don't think using charge mode to break in the engine is a good idea, just because of the extra demand it places on the ICE -- and you are trying to keep things "gentle" during the break in period.

I understand the concern about not having the ICE be cold when you need it for a sudden burst of acceleration but I don't think I'd worry about it. First, Hyundai designed the car knowing that it would happen in this car. Second, I think warming the ICE up daily, when you might only actually end up using it for sudden acceleration once a week or less would cause more engine wear then not warming it, not to mention the fuel savings of only using it when needed.

 

Thanks mogelijk. This makes sense: "First, Hyundai designed the car knowing that it would happen in this car. Second, I think warming the ICE up daily, when you might only actually end up using it for sudden acceleration once a week or less would cause more engine wear then not warming it"

Fuel savings for warming up the car.. not that much fuel is lost there (in my test about 200 ml or so). And to me it would make sense to use a little fuel to keep the engine oiled now and then. Once a day is not that much.

About the CHARGE mode, I'm not sure it puts a big strain on the engine either.. the RPM gets boosted a little, but that is almost not noticeable (almost like your engine gets some 20% more RPM than usual or such).

 

No need to start in HEV mode. I posted a similar question in a forum on this site and got assurance from other members (and then my own online research) that there are built in safeguards to prevent damage from cold oil, etc.

 

jeko44, would you mind pointing me to your thread, I tried to search and couldn't find it, thank you

 

nevermind, I found it "Engine stress switching from electric to gas"

 

Found this from "hyundaisonatamanual", it will be a little harder to apply to a PHEV, but still worth knowing:

"Vehicle break-in process
Introduction / Vehicle break-in process

No special break-in period is needed. By following a few simple precautions for the first 600 miles (1,000 km) you may add to the performance, economy and life of your vehicle.

Do not race the engine.
While driving, keep your engine speed (rpm, or revolutions per minute) between 2,000 rpm and 4,000 rpm.
Do not maintain a single speed for long periods of time, either fast or slow. Varying engine speed is needed to properly break-in the engine.
Avoid hard stops, except in emergencies, to allow the brakes to seat properly.
Don't let the engine idle longer than 3 minutes at one time.
Don't tow a trailer during the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of operation.
"