Break In ?
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Joined: May 2005
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Break In ?
Looks like next week by Wed mid-morning I'll be a proud (and 1st time) owner or a Ford truck 
. I'm buying it through Polarbear up in Oregon and live in Vegas so I have about a 1200 mile journey back to the house. I'll be on interstate about the entire way, with that said what would you guys suggest for speeds and such? I know that driving a new truck that far in a couple of days on interstate hwy might not be the most popular choice but that's what I have to do so I'm just wondering how long at a certain speed you guys think would be ok i.e. so long at 65mph, so long at 60, so long at 70 etc etc.
Oh yeah, the truck is an F-350 with a 6-speed and I'm coming over from owning a 99 Dodge Cummins.
Thanks in advance,
Rich
. I'm buying it through Polarbear up in Oregon and live in Vegas so I have about a 1200 mile journey back to the house. I'll be on interstate about the entire way, with that said what would you guys suggest for speeds and such? I know that driving a new truck that far in a couple of days on interstate hwy might not be the most popular choice but that's what I have to do so I'm just wondering how long at a certain speed you guys think would be ok i.e. so long at 65mph, so long at 60, so long at 70 etc etc. Oh yeah, the truck is an F-350 with a 6-speed and I'm coming over from owning a 99 Dodge Cummins.
Thanks in advance,
Rich
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I'm finding that out. If the airport pickup and delivery of the truck is a good as the buy part of it you won't be able to stop me from singing his praises as well as the FTEs sponsorship of him for the west coast.
It's an awesomely customer-friendly experience so far.
It's an awesomely customer-friendly experience so far.
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
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From: Northern Arizona
Congrats on the new ride! You'll love it.
Break-in IMHO: Highway miles are fine, just vary your speed at reasonable intervals. I used cruise control and just ramped my speed up and down using the accel/decel feature, 55 mph to 75 mph.
I don't believe you need to vary your speed dramatically and constantly, just don't sit at 65 mph for 10-15 minutes at a time and pull off for breaks every hour or so.
Be prepared for the rush when you fire it up and the sound of power greets you!
Russ
Break-in IMHO: Highway miles are fine, just vary your speed at reasonable intervals. I used cruise control and just ramped my speed up and down using the accel/decel feature, 55 mph to 75 mph.
I don't believe you need to vary your speed dramatically and constantly, just don't sit at 65 mph for 10-15 minutes at a time and pull off for breaks every hour or so.
Be prepared for the rush when you fire it up and the sound of power greets you!
Russ
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Metro DC
I took the "scenic" route to work while the truck was under 1K miles. Lots of hills and speed changes. Very early on, you may want to take some back roads (e.g., parallel to the Interstate) so you can swing through the RPMs more than you can on the Interstate. As I undertand it, the trick is running through different RPM's early on to seat the rings properly.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: CA
Awesome open road trucks..
I seem to be doing 'alot' of 2-3 hundred mile trips lately, and to this day enjoy every one! A pleasure to do the longer rides in.. No high speeds
hard to keep'em under 80, or long idles times, and all should be good.. Congrats on the new rig!! Don't forget to give up the 'low down' when you arrive.. Have fun...
....................HP................
I seem to be doing 'alot' of 2-3 hundred mile trips lately, and to this day enjoy every one! A pleasure to do the longer rides in.. No high speeds
hard to keep'em under 80, or long idles times, and all should be good.. Congrats on the new rig!! Don't forget to give up the 'low down' when you arrive.. Have fun.......................HP................
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From: north west new jersey
i think he will be
Originally Posted by mrc59
I took the "scenic" route to work while the truck was under 1K miles. Lots of hills and speed changes. Very early on, you may want to take some back roads (e.g., parallel to the Interstate) so you can swing through the RPMs more than you can on the Interstate. As I undertand it, the trick is running through different RPM's early on to seat the rings properly.
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Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
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From: Northern Arizona
Hayapower, exactly right, don't let it idle more than a few minutes during break-in. You may want to consider changing the oil and filter when you arrive home too.
And please fill us in on your trip!
And please fill us in on your trip!
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Yep, I'm tracking with you guys so far. I plan on dumping the oil/filter next weekend, the truck should have about 1400 miles on it. After that/I'll be hooking up the the TT and seeing how fast I can pass the competition 8-)
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Ditto, I agree with Kepler4, just take your time vary that speed. Change the speed every 20 to 30 minutes. And Congrats on your new Truck! Your gonna Love your new Ford Truck. Have a safe trip home.
Last edited by Grizz49; Jun 16, 2005 at 06:07 AM. Reason: spelling
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Ditto to the congrats on the new wheels! My '05 F350 has about 300 miles on it now and I just look for excuses to drive it. I'm kind of torn though...want to keep the mileage off it yet want to drive it too. You know what I mean there. Have to confess, some nights I go out in the garage and just hop up in it and sit in there like a little kid. If my wife can't locate me, she knows where to find me Hope you have thousands of miles of troublefree ownership!
All the above replies are really good advice. I wouldn't use the cruise control until at least 500 miles or so are on it, but that's just my opinion. Happy is the day, when you can not worry about varying the rpm's and just sit back with cruise on going down the hwy sipping on a hot coffee visiting with the other half admiring the beast.
Hope you have thousands of miles of troublefree ownership! All the above replies are really good advice. I wouldn't use the cruise control until at least 500 miles or so are on it, but that's just my opinion. Happy is the day, when you can not worry about varying the rpm's and just sit back with cruise on going down the hwy sipping on a hot coffee visiting with the other half admiring the beast.
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From: Melbourne, Aus
As everyone said above, vary your speed.
Also, when you stop for a coffee etc. don't rush yourself, it is good to let the transmission, engine and differential go through the heat up, cool down cycle. So if you can at all, attempt to give it some time to cool down.
Also, when you get back and change the oil etc. don't be afraid to hook up the trailer and give it some "gas" after 1400 miles it is a good time to really heat it up, a run the piston rings in well.
Last time I was in Vegas I noticed a distinct lack of steep grades, but even accelerating away heavily on flat ground should do it.
Also, when you stop for a coffee etc. don't rush yourself, it is good to let the transmission, engine and differential go through the heat up, cool down cycle. So if you can at all, attempt to give it some time to cool down.
Also, when you get back and change the oil etc. don't be afraid to hook up the trailer and give it some "gas" after 1400 miles it is a good time to really heat it up, a run the piston rings in well.
Last time I was in Vegas I noticed a distinct lack of steep grades, but even accelerating away heavily on flat ground should do it.
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There's no shortage of big grades around Vegas, there's spots around here where lessor trucks are down to 25-30mph towing TTs & 5vers trying to get over the mountains out of the valley. Plus, this time of year it's over 100 degress out during the day, so: 7k lb truck, 10,000lb+ TT, 100 degrees or more, at 2k-5k elevation, and making boost galore....oh yeah she'll be getting a workout.