Dad just got a 2009 Accord LX-P Auto. Should he just follow the breaking in method shown in the manual and keep it under 4k RPM? I've heard people telling me that a better way is to drive for 15mins to let the car warm up. Then put it in first and gas it until redline then get off the gas without braking. Do this a few times then let the car cool off overnight and then do the same thing again the next day.

 

In this age and day,i dont think the break in period applies,due to the fact that most car manufactures,manufacture there cars already broken in.Pistons settled,running smoothly,etc etc..Nonetheless,your father should take it easy for the first few thousand miles.

Look at it this way,do you think a brand new Nissan GT-R has a break in period? I certainly wouldnt wait to break that bad boy in.

 

There are dirrent methods of breaking in an engine... for this car, I'd drive it easy for the first 5,000 miles or so and make sure you leave the break-in oil in the car as longas the manual says.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll tell him to go easy for the first 5k miles. BTW he said the car didn't seem to accelerate as fast as his old 01 4cyl auto during normal driving. Is this normal for a new car?

 

I think he'll find the sweet spot on the gas pedal to get the transmission to downshift and accelerate faster. I noticed that the newer models are slower than the old ones too.

 

I guess 200lbs more does make a difference. Am I correct in thinking that the 190hp @ 7k rpm engine on the EX is the same as the 177hp @ 6.5k rpm engine on the LX? Lets hope the 09 model doesn't wear out the rear brakes like some of the 08 ones.

Is it fine to drive the car for a long period of time during the breaking in period? My dad is gona drive it for a few weeks before giving it to my mom. He has to drives 120 miles round trip each day to work, mostly highway with little traffic. Is 120-130 miles a day too much for a new car?