Hey guys i'm picking up my new pickup this coming friday.... 2009 3500 Bright Silver SLT 4x4. I'm having a a B&W 5th wheel plate put in right away. What is that proper way to help break in the engine. And do the tranny's "learn" how you drive for the first little while?

Thanks guys!

Tyler

 

Most will say that a break in is not necessary. I would suggest taking it easy for the first 1000 miles or so. Try to vary the throttle and rpms as much as possible and most importantly do not lug it. The book will say, IIRC, and I agree not to tow and avoid full throttle for the first 500 miles or so where the drivetrain can "wear in" a little. After the first 1000 or so miles use the truck the way you normally will. Oh and change the oil and filter well before the first schedule. If you got the new auto then yes it does learn to an extent. Most important congratulations on the new truck and we wanna see pics! ! !

 

thanks...i almost bought a 2006 Mega cab but they wanted 31K for a used truck with 49K rounds though it...i couldn't justify that but having the 5.9L back would of been nice but I' REALLY excited for friday!!

 

Just 500 miles needed to break in the rearend. Otherwise, hook up and go for a pull after that. That wonderful sealer that they put on the ring and pinion and makes the diff. fluid look a gray color has to wear off.

 

The manual for my '08 says not to tow for the first 500 miles, and then tow only at 50 MPH for the next 500 miles. It also says something about engine break-in happening around 6,000 miles and it helps if you're running loaded.


Kris

 

I say after 500 miles, drive it like you stole it! These 6.7 don't do well when driven like grandma drives. If you do drive like grandma, you're gonna end up with the dreaded P2262 and be going to the dealer for a turbo clean. JMHO

 

Congrats on your new truck.
The owner's manual is your friend and if you read it, you'll know more about your new truck than a whole lotta people

 

Yes, read and follow the manual. Congraluations!

 

Interestingly enough no such paragraph is ever written in the industrial application manual for either the rearend or the engine. How do you lightly drive 24,000 lbs motorhome for the 1st 500 miles or class 5,6 & 7 truck,tractor combination and get paid. Any reports of actual failure in a Dodge truck if you don't play nice for 500 miles, Freightliner, IH & Ford industrial trucks look for component quality issues or out right abuse in the case of premature failures. If a new truck is going to crap under load let it happen in the 1st 500 miles not a 1000 miles from home.

 

I've heard that if not properly broke in that the issue may not show itself for some time and premature failure and wear would be the result. This could be after many miles and not immediately. So, if you're willing to deal and risk that then don't worry about what it or what the manual says. I don't think breaking in has anything to do with breakage or ultimate strenghts. Those are typically abuse or a defect.

If you can break it in, then do so. If not, then it will probalby still be fine just higher risk.

 

We have rebuilt motorcycle motors with full on race mods (shaved head, high comp piston, hot cams, port, polish, etc) and we run them HARD right after being rebuilt. Keep in mind, the motors are FULLY warmed up before being taken out and ridden, but we run them hard. Lots of full throttle through all the gears. I've done that on all our motors (cars, loaded diesel trucks, quads, bikes, mowers, weedeaters, etc) with great success.

If in doubt, run it hard, don't bag it, but work it. The Cummins motor is 80% broken in by the time we get them anyways.

 

I never did break mine in. I did drive it easy with the trailers for the first 1000 miles. I ran it through the rpm's but limited it to half throttle and used the gears. 89,000 thousand mile and no issues at all. Just regular scheduled maintenance by dodge dealer

 

Congrats on the new truck. I'm with everyone else. I just got mine(new 08 just passed 1100 miles). I broke in easy to average driving within the first 1000 miles. Pretty much drive normal now.

 

The owner's manual says the Cummins doesn't need any break-in, its for the differential Read the manual