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New Tundra Break in advice

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by An701904, Sep 27, 2021.

  1. Sep 27, 2021 at 8:30 PM
    #1
    An701904

    An701904 [OP] New Member

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    Picking up my new 2021 TRD Pro on thursday.

    I saw this in a previous post on the break in process for a new tundra.

    The one I am looking at is "do not drive at constant speeds for extended periods" for the first 1000 miles.

    I got a 700 mile drive back home after picking up the truck. Any tips on making sure I don't do any damage? Just avoid cruise control or should I go extreme and set a time to vary the speed every 10 minutes?

    No one make fun of me for overthinking this!

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Sep 27, 2021 at 10:39 PM
    #2
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    Use your cell phone a lot, this always makes people slow down and speed up erratically.
     
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  3. Sep 27, 2021 at 10:41 PM
    #3
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Congrats on the new truck.

    You basically want to warm and cool the engine in a variety of speed and RPM ranges.

    Tips for this;
    1. Don't use cruise control
    2. Change speeds often (Run 10-15 under the speed limit with hazards on all the way up to speed limit)
    3. Use S mode to run the same speeds at differing RPMS (Vary between 4th, 5th, and 6th gear on the highway)
    4. Take frequent breaks to allow cooling
    I know it's for a motorcycle, but this video's principles are still basically applicable.

    https://youtu.be/u74jYkItdD8
     
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  4. Sep 27, 2021 at 10:49 PM
    #4
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    Drive it like you stole it…
     
  5. Sep 27, 2021 at 11:01 PM
    #5
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    And warp things when they cool after the excessive heat. Good idea. :facepalm:
     
  6. Sep 27, 2021 at 11:05 PM
    #6
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    Remember the 1 mil truck is a work truck, towing hauling on the first day
     
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  7. Sep 28, 2021 at 1:56 AM
    #7
    Squiggy

    Squiggy New Member

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    i prefer hard break in no matter what motor, first 100 miles on my 21 was nothing but acceleration and deceleration through the whole rpm range followed immediately by an oil change, then more spirited driving until another oil change at 5k. I'll probably do diff and trans fluids early too

    96846854668.jpg
     
  8. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:50 AM
    #8
    50Shades

    50Shades Sin City Tundras

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    Picked up my truck in 09/02. Drove mainly city with a little bit of freeway here and there. My first ever brand new vehicle, just wanted to do it right lol basically driving miss daisy
     
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  9. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:59 AM
    #9
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    Get it up to about 40 and throw it in reverse 4 or 5 times. Works like a charm!
     
  10. Sep 28, 2021 at 8:10 AM
    #10
    TRD4x4Liberty

    TRD4x4Liberty Dog hauler

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    Wtf
     
  11. Sep 28, 2021 at 8:11 AM
    #11
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    Try it a few times, you will enjoy the results!
     
  12. Sep 28, 2021 at 11:54 AM
    #12
    CallsignKodiak

    CallsignKodiak New Member

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    I find firing the afterburners now & then does the trick for my redheaded Tundra.
     
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  13. Sep 28, 2021 at 11:57 AM
    #13
    DrZoidberg

    DrZoidberg New Member

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    I picked mine up in Houston and cruised at 85 the firs 200 miles.
     
  14. Sep 28, 2021 at 1:07 PM
    #14
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    As for your break in, most importantly drain that watered down slurry, swap filter, and put some oil in the damn thing. You can thank me at 500k!
     
  15. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:05 PM
    #15
    sportbikenut

    sportbikenut New Member

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    Just knew that this comment would be in there! I have friends who have followed this advice. But they are also the ones who either lease (rent) or change out the vehicle after 3 years. So, no risk for them. It's the poor owner down the line with the issues. I don't condone this method.
     
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  16. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:10 PM
    #16
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    I thought the varying speed was for the torque converter more than anything else. I would think even 5 minutes would be too long at one speed but I'm by no means an expert.
     
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  17. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:11 PM
    #17
    sportbikenut

    sportbikenut New Member

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    In addition to some of the good comments above, one of the benefits of dropping it in S4 & S5 (at say 60mph) is the reverse deceleration on the pistons and helps the rings seat/seal better. Just let off the throttle and let the vehicle slow down with compression braking. Repeat. I would watch max RPM's for the first couple hundred miles. Maybe max of 3,500rpm's. Depends upon conditions. Light throttle, no full throttle for first couple hundred miles (at least 500). That's my opinion! First oil change way earlier than the Toyota recommended 10k interval. Again, its a cost savings move, nothing more.
     
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  18. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:24 PM
    #18
    racer01

    racer01 New Member

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    For heaven's sakes please don't travel down one of our major interstates where folks travel at least 10 over the speed limit at 15 mph UNDER the speed limit thinking your break in method is more important to the safety of others. If you want to vary RPM as suggested just put it in manual and shift between gears every now and again and speed up and slow down with traffic. If you really want to do this the easy way just stay off the interstate or highway roads on the way home. Lots of towns, stop signs, speeding up and slowing down, etc. Perfect situation if you think all of the theatrics really matters.

    I have broken in 30+ cars and motorcycles in just the last 20 years from brand new. Tires and brakes are the most important. Make sure you have proper tire pressure (dealers suck at getting shipping pressures down to driving pressures).
    As far as the engine I agree with the guy who said the million mile Tundras were used as intended from day one. Every dang lawnmower, weedeater, rental truck, fleet vehicle, cop car, taxi, and shuttle bus gets put into use day one and just used as intended. Babying an engine (in my opinion) is arguably not even good engineering advice, but probably good lawyer advice for that kid on his new Hayabusa with tires slick with mold release compound and green brakes....
     
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  19. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:34 PM
    #19
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    You do know what an expert is, right?












    An ex is a ‘has been’
    And a spurt is a ‘drip under pressure’
    Not really something I ever wanted to be, lol
     
  20. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:43 PM
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    TRDSPEC

    TRDSPEC New Member

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    Go easy on the brakes til they stop stinking.

    Otherwise drive it like you stole it.

    Just vary the speeds.
     
  21. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:50 PM
    #21
    Mike59

    Mike59 Kentucky Traveller

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    definitely drive 15mph under in the left lane with the flashers on lol! Your engine break in routine is far more important than anyone's commute.
     
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  22. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:55 PM
    #22
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Maybe you have different speed limits than I do. 80 MPH minus 15 is only 65. That's faster than many semis are governed at. They're on lots of roads and not causing accidents. Toss on the flashers at that speed, and fall in behind a truck for a while. No more of an obstruction than the truck and plenty visible.
     
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  23. Sep 28, 2021 at 3:04 PM
    #23
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    Did that with several vehicles and drove them the same way most always. Got 15-20 years out of them and a few hundred thousands of miles. So, I dunno, maybe good oil, good gas, and Italian tune ups are no joke afterall.
     
  24. Sep 28, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #24
    racer01

    racer01 New Member

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    Agree.
    Its the internet forums so I feel like I can espouse based on my life's observations. Very rarely if ever do I see a motor expire from what could be attributed to just poor break in. Rare to see scorched cams, early piston ring wear, or main bearing failure in my experience on an otherwise well maintained engine in a relatively low stress application like the Tundra. What I see killing street cars is a minor failure that isn't fixed that leads to bigger and bigger issues. Bad o2 sensor that causes a rich condition that isn't fixed that clogs a cat then high EGT's burns a valve. Or a small radiator leak that eventually runs low on coolant then they drive even after gauge reads full hot and cause a head gasket leak.

    Now on higher stress applications it may matter a bit more....for example my BMW S1000RR sport bike had a 9k rev limiter for the first 600 miles and had to take it back and get it serviced and ECU unlocked for the full 14k+ rpms. Probably as good for my safety as for the engine life as that last 5k rpm was where all hell broke loose but just an example of if it really matters that much they sure aren't going to leave it up to us (generally under informed and litigious) consumers.
     
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  25. Sep 30, 2021 at 6:06 PM
    #25
    GCanuck

    GCanuck Member since 2020

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    I had to drive the Sea to Sky hwy to get it home. Break in never entered my mind
     

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