I just purchased a new 2012 Prius 3. In the owners manual, it recommends not to drive the car for an extended period of time at a constant speed until you have put 600 miles on the car. Does anyone know the reason for this? In about a month, I wanted to take a trip which would entail an 8 hour drive one day and then an eight our drive the next day.....about 1000 miles. I usually average about 65 mph . Looking forward, when it comes time for this trip, I should have real close to the recommended 600 miles but probably not over it (450-550 miles). Does anyone see any reason not to take my new Prius? Thanks.
You'll be fine. If you're under 600 miles when you start the trip, try to vary speed until you get past 600. Years ago, I bought a new car over the phone, flew to the LA area to pick it up, and drove it back to the SF bay area. Made sure to vary speed, not go over recommended break in speed, and took more than the usual number of stops to let the engine heat cycle.
This type of manufacture recommendation is common among car makers. See link Why cant a brand new car be driven at a constant speed for a long distance? - Yahoo! Answers
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I would note that if you have rolling hills, you would not have a constant load even if you have a constant speed. [sarcasm] Drive like you have a cell phone call, that will involve continual slowing down and speeding up. [/sarcasm]
I think the idea is that during break-in period varied rpm and load makes for more uniform wear, on cylinder walls, various bearings, cam lobes and so on. With our first car, in the early eighties, I actually worried about this, but not much since, since almost any driving situation will vary load/rpm. Also, it would seem to me the closer to that (somewhat arbitrary) 600 mile threshold you are, the less of a factor steady driving is. Another thing a lot of manufacturers mention in regards to new car brake-in, is to go easy on the brakes, but with Prius regen braking, anything short of a full panic stop makes that a non-issue. Or maybe the opposite? Prius brakes tend to take a long time to get "seated" properly, 'cause they get used so little? Arghh, overthinking!
Thanks for the advice, all. 1st time Prius owner, former Insight owner. I definitely made the move upward...well, I should say, so far.....
Agreed. But in the OP's case since its a new car and in road trip mode the heavier oil would be beneficial. After it goes about 3000 miles I would change to M1 0-20 and run it for a 7.5-10k OCI for the rest of its life.
