First Oil Change?

[BlackMagnum]

Does anyone know the mileage for the first oil change for either the Magnum RT or 300C? How about the break in period parameters? It's kind of silly, but I'm driving my car back over 4,000 miles FROM the dealership and I want to make sure I get the oil changed, if necessary, along the way.

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

I've always changed at 500, then 1000, then 3000, and switch to synthetic oil at 3000.

[GWAZI]

I have no idea, BM (then why am I posting?), but I just want to say that I am extremely jealous of you and your trip!!! Hope you have a great time!!! When are you leaving again?

[dodgeatheart]

Changing your oil within the first 1000 miles is important. Each engine produces small metal shavings when it is first run, shavings that could get hot and conform to parts of your engine that you wouldn't want there.

Also, being hard on an engine FROM the beginning isn't always a bad thing. If any of you guys out there work in the factory, you might could confirm that one of the first things a manufacturer does after an engine is built/installed is to do a redline rev on the engine. This helps seat the rings and better seated rings means more power, more fuel economy, and better durability. It will also induce a failure if there is to be one.

Check out this link: http://www.mototuneusa.com/circular_logic.htm

This guy has done many comparisons between a "hard" break-in and a "easy" break-in as recommended by the manufacturer. His results will amaze you. Most of his work is done with motorcycles, but an engine is an engine, and he does say this pertains to ANY engine.

Somewhere on that link (I don't have time to find it right now) is complete instructions on how to properly break-in your vehicle. The first 10 miles is critical, the next 90 is almost as critical. As time goes, it's less and less important because your rings get seated fairly quickly. Break-in procedures include running the engine up to near redline (say 5000 of 6000) and backing off with it held in a gear where the engine will use it's backpressure to slow the car down. This creates pressure "forward and backward" in the engine causing the rings to seat well.

Also, don't use synthetic before 3000 miles. It's easier to seat the engine on dyno oil than synthetic.

I'll try to find the exact spot where the guys explains everything - I'm just trying to restate what I remember. Heading off to work! Good luck!

[BlackMagnum]

I'm wondering what the owner manual says about the break-in of the Hemi engine. I read many of those same articles when I bought my last car, but BMW was clear that the shavings issue was a thing of the past and that the first oil change didn't need to happen until about 15,000 miles.

[E55 KEV]

No Break-In Oil change required on my 98 E430 nor my 02 E55. I hope the new MDS Hemi has similar engineering making those frequent oil changes a thing of the past. First oil change on E430 at 11k miles and first on E55 around 7k.

[dodgeatheart]

Frequent oil changes are unnecessary. However an oil change around 1000 miles is something I would recommend.

This was something that was discussed at great length over at Evolutionm.net and proof enough for me was when several members posted about metal shavings being found on the backside of the magnetic oil drain plug when they did their first oil change.

As for after the first 1000, I'd say every 4000-5000 miles would be sufficient. Personally, I upped my mileage FROM 3000 to 4000.

The correct link about how to break-in is here;

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

*edit - "Motoman's" recommendation is to change the oil almost immediately!

[bigdaddyoc]

Ok so before I break my egine in...how much merrit should I give this mototuneusa guy? I hadn't heard this theory before, although its been years since I bought anything new to get to break in. After reading the whole thing though it does make a little more sense...anyone else have an "educated" opinion on the subject?