Skyactive engine break in

chckboy5

Member
:
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
Hi,

Just purchased a 2016 CX-5 GT AWD, what is the proper way to break the Skyactive engine in?
 
Section 3, page 41. Time to curl up with the owners manual.
 
Why listen to "some people" instead of the manufacturer? (uhm)
 
Why listen to "some people" instead of the manufacturer? (uhm)

The manufacturer is covering all the bases and trying to cover themselves in situations where actual abuse might happen. The truth of the matter is that engines like to be worked a bit more than they like to be babied. What this means is drive the car normally, once it's been fully warmed up don't be afraid to take it to 3/4 throttle at 3/4 max rpm's. It's all good. But don't drive at 90 or 100+ mph for more than 30 seconds and don't bring it to redline or floor it until you've spent the time to break it in more gently. But there is no reason to coddle or baby it when it's new. Just use a little common sense.
 
I always have had excellent long term results (150,000 miles +), driving a new vehicle normally for the first 2-3,000 miles. I don't baby or abuse the vehicle by long term heavy throttle or high RPMs for more than a few seconds. Remember that we are also burnishing the valve gear, cam shafts and transmission pieces in addition to bedding in the brakes. ed
 
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

The CX-5 is the second new vehicle in 8 yearsI have broke in this way and I'm a convert.
07 Vstar 1300 48-52 mpg average
15 CX-5 2.5 AWD 26-32 mpg

It has been discussed a lot in many forums and last line always is....... If in doubt don't try it.
 
Last edited:
Uh-oh I'm in trouble now for leaking possible 17 model info before it's time. LOL

Umm... you mean between CX-5 and CX-7 right?
Errant finger typing now corrected as one steps back into the shadows.

That's great mileage for a new model slotted in between CX-5 and CX-9!
 
Last edited:
Uh-oh I'm in trouble now for leaking possible 17 model info before it's time. LOL

Umm... you mean between CX-5 and CX-7 right?
Errant finger typing now corrected as one steps back into the shadows.
CX-7 continued to sell in other markets after it was dropped in North America. I don't know if that's still the case.
 
Found on wiki "The 2012 model year was the last year for the CX-7 to make way for the release of the CX-5."
 
The engine breaks in relatively fast compared to the rest of the car. you have the diffs, the wheel bearings, the transmission gears, the brakes...

See, here is what was in the manual when I bought my Z06. I recall reading to vary the speed/rpm, vary the engine load, but do NOT lug the motor, and after about 1,000 miles, I could romp on it, but track use should wait for 1500 miles.

I then spoke with one of the engineers/builders who produced the 427ci motor that costs 3/4 as much as a loaded out CX-5, and was told that most of the break in was for the car, not the motor.

I will note that my Z06 used 1/2 quart of oil the first 500 miles, and sooted up the tail pipes badly. It never used any oil after that. I broke it in as specified in the owner's manual for the most part.

The main thing is to not load the brakes, transmission, or engine up too hard for the first 500-1K miles, and to vary load, rpm, and vehicle speed.

There really isn't any magic, but anything "extreme" is probably stupid, such as "no more than 55mph!" and "Redline it off the lot!". Let's use common sense, shall we? We are talking about a mechanical item...break-in DOES occur, and it should occur gently and not violently, but this is also a vehicle, not a Ming vase we are polishing...
 
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

The CX-5 is the second new vehicle in 8 yearsI have broke in this way and I'm a convert.
07 Vstar 1300 48-52 mpg average
15 CX-5 2.5 AWD 26-32 mpg

It has been discussed a lot in many forums and last line always is....... If in doubt don't try it.
This method is the height of stupidity. That is NOT how you break an engine in. Or the rest of the vehicle.

Airplane engines? Nope.
Industrial engines? Nope.
Expensive Diesel engines? Nah.
Race-car engines? No, Sir!

NOTHING is broken in in that manner.

the mototuneusa article is pure crap. It doesn't even make sense. What have you ever seen break-in properly like this? Anything?

The fact that your vehicles have given you good service after doing this to them is not because of it, but in SPITE of it. That goes to show that modern vehicles are pretty darn well made!

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/atk engine break in.pdf
http://rcvehicles.about.com/od/nitromaintenance/f/breakin.htm
http://www.lasleeve.com/downloads/2-stroke-break-in-procedures.pdf
http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/182895-1.html

^Everything from an airplane to an RC car...and guess what? Gradual increase in load is the key! Proper loading/unloading of the "driveline" and motor, etc. varying RPM's.
 
Last edited:
...in North America.

Yep, an then some....
Below copied from Mazda Global news releases for said years

1. Domestic Production
[Domestic production of key models in November 2011]
Mazda2 (Demio): 14,487 units (up 0.8% year-on-year)
CX-7: 12,720 units (up 23.8% year-on-year)



[Domestic production of key models in November 2012]
Mazda3 (Axela): 20,831 units (down 32.0% year-on-year)
CX-5: 20,462 units (up 204520.0% year-on-year)
 
+1 Unobtanium. People who suggest an abusive break-in are foolish, to put it VERY politely. Ed
 
+1 Unobtanium. People who suggest an abusive break-in are foolish, to put it VERY politely. Ed

Well, by the definition of "abusive" I would have to agree with you. But the difference of opinion I see between the gentle break-in crowd and the "to the max" people is what constitutes abusive?


It could be argued that too gentle of a break-in is abusive and I would agree with that. If I had to pick one or the other I would err on the side of hard. But, as I've said, just driving it normally is the best.
 
Oh my, where to start ????
# 1- >Airplane engines? Nope.< from http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/182895-1.html
"first flight ... closely monitor RPM. If it doesn't get within 100 RPM of red line and there is sufficient runway available, abort the takeoff.

#2 &3- >Industrial engines? Nope. Expensive Diesel engines? Nah < (many industrial engines are diesel so I lumped them together)
Copied from Cummins Break in Recommendations
"Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimental
and should be avoided."
And......... their Diesel Supplement...
"The diesel engine does not require a break-in period due to its construction ...."

#4- >Race-car engines? No, Sir!<
So what is an hour or more break in run or 3 on a engine Dyno for ????

>What have you ever seen break-in properly like this? Anything?<
Yep, seen it an done it. I try to keep a open mind and learn about advancements in technology stuff.
FWIW One must read and view all the multipaged Mototune articles and videos, then find feedback from people who have tried it before jumping to century old conclusions.

>Everything from an airplane to an RC car<
Having flown R/C airplanes for years and been race support for kids oval, road course and off road in ele. and some gas.... yeh... umm ... r i g h t

I am curious.... since I'm happy with my break in and you're not,
have you taken yours to the dealer to find out what may be wrong with yours?

This method is the height of stupidity. That is NOT how you break an engine in. Or the rest of the vehicle.

Airplane engines? Nope.
Industrial engines? Nope.
Expensive Diesel engines? Nah.
Race-car engines? No, Sir!

NOTHING is broken in in that manner.

the mototuneusa article is pure crap. It doesn't even make sense. What have you ever seen break-in properly like this? Anything?

The fact that your vehicles have given you good service after doing this to them is not because of it, but in SPITE of it. That goes to show that modern vehicles are pretty darn well made!

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/atk engine break in.pdf
http://rcvehicles.about.com/od/nitromaintenance/f/breakin.htm
http://www.lasleeve.com/downloads/2-stroke-break-in-procedures.pdf
http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/182895-1.html

^Everything from an airplane to an RC car...and guess what? Gradual increase in load is the key! Proper loading/unloading of the "driveline" and motor, etc. varying RPM's.
 
Last edited:

New Threads and Articles

Back