Hey all, new owner of an '08 Lancer GTS here, and I must say I love this car. I was just wondering what the best way to break in the engine is?

Not to sound like a ****, but all of that information is in the owner's manual.

Basically, don't drive a constant speed for a long duration of time. Don't accelerate hard. That's really all you need to do.

You don't sound like a ****, but the loaner I have until the one i ordered comes in didn't come with a manual, or else I would've consulted it first. I've also heard several things, some about how the way the manual says to do it isn't the best, and some about riding it hard a couple times. Just wasn't totally sure what to believe, but thanks for the info.

The manual says the break-in period is the first 300 miles.
-Avoid revving the engine
-Avoid rough driving as far as fast starts, sudden acceleration, pro-longed high sped driving and sudden breaking. Avoid full acceleration while in low gear.

That is basically straight from the manual.

just drive the car I had many new vehicles and driving it hard or normal makes no difference.

On a commuter car, proper break-in is the difference between getting 100,000 miles or 110,000 miles before major service. If you plan on modifying the car within the next decade it doesnt really matter. This is somewhat of a new engine though. Glad I didn't buy one of the ones in the first production run

please explain what you meant?

i heard that breaking in the engine hard is better...

it;s a big topic that different people have different theories..

it is said that when u drive it hard your piston rings seal better therefore you get more power output later once they seal properly..

i dunno... if that;s true, but here is the link ... it's for motocycles but he explains that it;s for any 4 banger car..

CLICK HERE

in the end it's up to you on how you drive it.. i say just drive like you drive your car now... just don't rev to redline everytime you jump off the line...

SIDE NOTE:

if you think about it the manual could be lying just to get you to come in sooner for major maintanence.. hahahaha

Nop better stick to the owners manual approach, avoid full throttle and high loads and perform a mix of low/medium loads for at least 1000km.
On engine test benches we see an increase in power/torque at around 3000km for diesels, 1000-1500km for petrol depending on design :thumbsup:

first year cars always have issues I had the 06 civic first year, I had no issues but other had, I love first year cars you have 5 years till they get old :)

this is my 3rd new car....i just drive them.....just like i normally do

The car is loaded at the factory and the rings seated. Just don't red line it and drive on the highway for an hour or more. Just drive it nicely for a bit and pretend you are NOT on the F1 circuit. Simple as that just drive it nicely and it will give you a little more in the later years.