I don't believe there's a break in period for a clutch (to speak of). Perhaps a few miles of stop and go traffic where the clutch gets engaged and disengaged a few dozen times. During this short period, full out launches and long clutch slipping like starting on a steep hill should be avoided. It's no different than bedding in brakes. Unlike gears in the diff or even in the tranny, friction material doesn't need heat cycling to break in.

 

I am really surprised that the dealer did not tell you about breaking it in. When I picked mine up the sales rep opened the manual to the appropriate page and had me read it out loud! We also discussed the service schedule, which gasoline to use, etc. Then he showed me how to operate the top, where the gas door release is, and stuff like that before letting me drive away with it.

Although he is a long-time personal friend, I had the strong impression that this procedure is standard at the dealership he is working at (Honda of Kingston, NY).

 

[QUOTE=rtmpaul,Dec 14 2005, 07:26 AM]I am really surprised that the dealer did not tell you about breaking it in.

 

It is highly recommended that you don't change the oil for the first 7500 miles. Honda uses a special break-in oil. Some people are changing the filter around 3-4K, but don't touch the oil.

 

Honda has a reason for keeping the oil in till 7,500. I trust them to know what they're doing.

 

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Honda has "recommended" waiting till at least 7500 miles before changing to synthetic oil. This Honda "memo" has been scanned and posted up on this forum on many other occasions. As far as changing the oil and filter, this should still be done using the maintenance schedule as the guide, base upon which "conditions" apply to your car that would place it into the "normal" or "severe" catagory. If it is severe, then 3750 miles is the first oil change.

ps. I'm one of those who do not believe in this "special" break in oil in the factory fill but this is a whole other topic. I've posted up my reasons and rationale as to why I think this in many other threads, so I won't go into it again here.

 

Thanks for all the info guys! Great place to get my information Yeah the dealer explained everything to me and showed me how to use all the functions on the car and what not but the only thing he didn't tell me was about the break in period. I think that was the only thing he missed.

I was also told by them to not change the oil until 7500 miles because of the "special" lubricants that are in the oil. I was suggested to just keep checking the oil level and top off if needed thats it.

Question about oil also....is 10W30 better to use or 5W30. The manual says 10W30 and some ppl told me in newer cars you would use 5W30.

 

i agree ^ . 7500 miles is the latest point to change your oil. my service guy told me to change it because i drive the car hard and because of this it can use too much oil. btw porsche also calls you to the service for oil change at 3000 miles. the car is 997 carrera s. i talked to the porsche service guy and he also recommended me to change my oil. because new cars use oil more.

 

The memo from Honda directs their service advisors not to change the oil during the first 7500 miles as the factory uses special oil. This has nothing to do with synthetic oil. Concerning synthetic oil, it has been discussed to exhaustion that you do not use synthetic oil until after 10000 miles.

 

Ok, this is news to me.

My evo came with synthetic oil (mobil 1) right off the lot, even the oil cap says use only synthetic. So why do you only use synthetic after 10k miles?