I'm planning on buying an 8 this weekend. The only problem I have is that the car that I want (and the right deal) are in Dallas, and I live in Houston. That is about a 3 1/2-4 hour drive. I know there is some disagreement on breaking proceedure, but I've seen that pretty much everyone agrees that it's not a good idea to run at consant RPMs for an extended period of time. I was thinking of just shifting occasionally between 4th, 5th, and 6th, and stopping every once in a while. Do you all think that would be ok, or should I try something else.

Can't wait for this weekend, I'm like a little kid the night before Christmas.

Thanks,
Cel

 

you can also vary your speed to prevent from going the same rpm. I did the same with my car on the highway, but there wasn't much traffic.

 

Thats fine, just try to avoid using cruise control.

 

Your idea seems good just stay out of four if you are going over 45mph. Don't use cruise control. Jump from fast lane to slow lane.

 

For the first few hundred miles I just varied my speed while in gear. Example on a 55 MPH road I'd drive between 50-70 MPH in 6th gear. It's not the easiest thing to do as you have to pay attention constantly. In traffic I'd change gears more often (3rd to 4th and back to 3rd) and/or get closer and farther from the car in front of me (seems to annoy anyone following you too closely). In stop and go traffic you shouldn't even need to worry about it.

 

I followed the racing beat breakin procedure to the letter and have no regrets.

I had to pick up my car in Columbus OH and drive about 400 home. I simply kept the RPM's under 4000 for the first thousand miles as recommended. I did use cruise control, but not for more than 10 or 15 minutes at any one engine RPM range. I would simply use 4th, 5th or 6th and also varied my speed from 65 MPH to 80MPH on the way home. Had no problems.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the replies. That settles my concerns.

Cel

 

in addition to rpm, i tried to not stay in any gear for more than a few minutes at a time. Not sure if this is needed.

 

my understanding is that what really matters is not running at a constant RPM for long periods (like leaving in 6th on cruise for an hour). my brother is in auto manufacturing and says this varying of engine speed during break-in is a good idea for any car, not just rotary...

 

First, congratulations and welcome to the cult.

Second, avoiding cruise is great. Also good is shifting between 5th and 6th every once in a while.

Enjoy!

 

I had a 3 hour drive back in my new 8, i set up a routine and MAN it was boring and testing to my willpower.

i alternated from 50, 60, 70 and 80 mph between gears 4, 5, 6 every 5-10 minutes or so, with play as far as speed inbetween.