Diesel Engine Break In ?

[Ejs4029]

What's the general rule of thumb on when you can start towing with a diesel engine ? Does weight matter (Trailer is #7500) ? Terrain ? The reason I ask is I am shopping for a new truck to replace my stolen TV and looking to plan a trip in possibly mid October (500 miles round trip) but may not have the truck for very long and not many miles is it ok to do or should I wait ?

[Jim Schings]

Just so I get notified on replies: I would be surprised if there is ANY suggested break-in on the engine. Todays vehicles, materials, metallurgy, assembly methods and testing eliminate the requirement. The rest of the vehicle has greater demands for "break-in". (Brakes, etc.) I have built, and dyno tested literally hundreds of engines in the last 10 years. However, no diesels (dyno'ed but never built).
The first oil change would be the only thing I would pay attention to.
Those are typically covered in your owners manual. So, lets see what others have to say.

[StoneyG]

Without looking I seem to remember our break in was 500 miles limiting load and speed. I do remember that we had friends camping about 100 miles from us when we bought the truck and drove down to have lunch with them to get the first 200 miles behind us.

[SKnight]

As they said, things are different today. Check the manual but the engine break in today generally consists of making sure you vary your engine speed for the first few hundred miles but nothing else for the engine.

GM did have a break in period on some of their differentials, one I fixed firsthand, my Ram suggested a fluid change in the diff before towing above 10,000 pounds so they sometimes have something along those lines.

Check the book but I don't see any cause for concern.

[mud yapster]

I drove my new 2015 Ram 3500 6.7L dually 4x4 long bed for 600 miles or so then hooked up 18,000 lbs. to the 5th wheel and towed it 580 miles. It should be broke in now. Tomorrow morning its towing 18,000# 80 miles then,
Next week its going to tow 18,000 lbs again for 500 or more miles and should really be broke in by then.

[lesptr]

My 2015 F350 diesel supplement said not to tow in the first 1000 miles.

[Jim Schings]

Originally Posted by lesptr

My 2015 F350 diesel supplement said not to tow in the first 1000 miles.

Did this specifically refer to engine break-in, or just vehicle in general?
ie. Did it say WHY you shouldn't tow for the first 1K ?

[peterbilt]

18 wheeler no break in time and same engine drove them for 40 years just hook up to load and go

[ependydad]

My Ram's owner's manual said 500 miles.

[DDC]

You can see all the owners manuals on line, we just got a new chev high country with the diesel and it specifically states not to tow in the first thousand miles and to keep the speed no higher than fifty for the first five hundred towing, seems like a lot of nonsense really, what if it was bought as a working truck. Anyway just remember that computer is remembering everything.

[j free]

My owner ford manual say 500 miles before towing.

[KFX450RXC]

Both my 6.7s were pulling campers at around 400-500 miles. No problems at all.

I think now its more for the computer than anything.

[V-Lite Fun]

My 2015 F 250 diesel engine manual says not to tow or carry heavy loads for the first 500 miles. We left on a 5000 mile trip with 565 miles on it.

[B and B]

My Ford had 300 km then I towed. I was told directly from Service Manager at the dealer I purchased from was no constant speed. I towed back roads and varying speed allow for cool down periods for the first tow and then I was out of the break in period.

[Stovebolt]

Originally Posted by DDC

You can see all the owners manuals on line, we just got a new chev high country with the diesel and it specifically states not to tow in the first thousand miles and to keep the speed no higher than fifty for the first five hundred towing, seems like a lot of nonsense really, what if it was bought as a working truck. Anyway just remember that computer is remembering everything.

. Anyway just remember that computer is remembering everything

That's the part where the Manufacturer can getcha if they want to.

[mcnabbwr]

If you have or are considering a new Ford 6.7 this is right out of the supplement manual.

Breaking-In Your Vehicle
Your vehicle does not need an extensive
break-in. Try not to drive continuously at
the same speed for the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers) of new vehicle
operation. Vary your speed to allow parts
to adjust themselves to other parts.
Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles
(800 kilometers) before towing a trailer.
Make sure you use the specified engine oil.
See Technical Specifications (page 57).

[grayfox]

After 500 mi on a 2015 Duramax..

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by mcnabbwr

If you have or are considering a new Ford 6.7 this is right out of the supplement manual.



Breaking-In Your Vehicle

Your vehicle does not need an extensive

break-in. Try not to drive continuously at

the same speed for the first 1000 miles

(1600 kilometers) of new vehicle

operation. Vary your speed to allow parts

to adjust themselves to other parts.

Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles

(800 kilometers) before towing a trailer.

Make sure you use the specified engine oil.

See Technical Specifications (page 57).

That's where the 1000 mile number that stuck in my head came from. I did put a 1000 on before towing although only 500 was required though.

[CWSWine]

Here is the link to the supplement that Bill quoted from.. on page 3

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo...US_02_2014.pdf

[schrederman]

Ram manual said 500 miles. While talking to a friend that works for them, he mentioned that it's more about the ring and pinion mating than anything else.