I consider "excessive" to be under high RPM, not MPH.

You can be riding only 30 MPH, but if you are reving 8000 RPM, that's excessive.

 

i agree, speed shouldn't have that much issue, the rpm is what counts imho

 

High loads at low RPM (i.e., bogging the engine) is also not good, although that's really only an issue for people with a manual tranny.

 

I don't have an IS yet.. but you haven't taken yours over 3k RPMs yet? What is the max RPM when it changes gears automatically (assuming you have an auto not stick)? My stick Civic Si "feels" ready to shift gears at around 4,000-4,200 RPMs but I notice when I drive my girlfriends auto-G35 it automatically switches gears around 3,000 RPMs unless I use the triptronic, then I like to switch around 4,000. When taking the IS350 for a test drive I used the paddle shifters a lot, switching gears around 4,000 RPMs... would that be a higher than normal shifting RPM for the IS?

 

It depends on how hard you are pressing the gas, whether the selector is in "power ECT" mode, and to some extent how hard you've been driving recently. Floor the gas pedal, and the car will shift at a very high RPM, at or near red-line. Drive it like grandma and it will shift at well under 3,000 rpm.

 

During your break in period you shouldn't be going over 3000 RPM. At least for the first 600 miles. I personally didn't go over 3000 RPM till I got my first 1000 miles. Yeah I know am pretty crazy but I just wanted to make sure my engine is well broken in before I start dropping my foot on it. I know that some people cant wait that long to unleash the beast. lol

 

just drive the car normal. if you need to push to merge onto the freeway, then do it. your car will not die or fall apart, or become weak if you redline your new car. sorry to break some of your hearts, but your car has been redlined many times before you took delivery of your vehicle.

 

I agree with ONIHC. Don't worry, unless you plan on breaking it at the track .

 

I have a little over 600 miles on my new IS and I didn't bother with any 'break-in' period. Maybe I should have, but I have been told that breaking in a car is not necessary for most Japanese foreign cars (ie: Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Acura)

 

I didn't worry about break in either. Just drove it like any other car, I stomped it occasionally to pass someone, but never redlined it, which I try not to do anyway. For this theoretical damage you might do which will shorten the life expectancy of your car, what are talking about - 10 or 15 years down the road?

 

I don't understand how some of you are making these claims that break-in is not necessary.

Unless you're a Toyota engineer, are privy to accurate inside information, or are reading documentation from Toyota that claim this, I'm more inclined to believe the printed manual.

why not follow the manual for a lousy 651 miles?

 

It isn't so much that improper break-in will shorten the life of the engine, instead, the hallmark of improper break-in is increased oil consumption over the life of the engine.

 

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IMO

1. drive easy for first 1,000+ miles
2. get your first oil change early (2,000 miles)

check out -

Drive It Forever: Secrets to Long Automobile Life
by Robert Sikorsky

 

Is the early services a good idea? im used to servicing my car every 3,000 miles (performance sports cars, engines, etc) so this wouldnt be a big deal. I just figured this might be a good idea, but my salesman said the first service was for 5k.

 

:P i done my frist services at 500km
cuz i dont think the frist engine oil that comes with the car is that clean