Anyone else still doing a strict 1,000-mile break-in period? Or am I in the minority?

[Alex381]

I babied mine for the first 1000 miles. Then I had the oil changed and finally opened it up. Now I change the oil every 6k miles with full synthetic and have the tires rotated. It’s a brand new car, you’re going to have it a hell of a lot longer than 1000 miles. If nothing else it’s a great excuse to take it everywhere while you break it in.

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[davidsteele1975]

I am curious to know where you found that 1,000 mile break-in period.

It's in the handbook.

 

[WrekEE]

I was trying until i found out my dealership railed on my Dark Horse while it was in the shop. How do I know? 30 hours of driving and avg 17 mpg. Got it back with 35 miles driven and average below 16 with a little over 30 miles driven. Additionally found one of the rear tires were scraped up with curb scratches. And the bonus is a 6 inch blade in the passenger side.

 

[jeffnudi]

It's in the handbook.

This is the only thing in the Owner's Manual, if that is what you are calling the handbook.

BREAKING-IN

You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.

 

[davidsteele1975]

That's just bizarre. I don't know what to tell you... Here's the page from mine:

Rest assured I didn't utilize that 1000lbs towing capacity at all during the breaking in period...

 

[jeffnudi]

That's just bizarre. I don't know what to tell you... Here's the page from mine:

Rest assured I didn't utilize that 1000lbs towing capacity at all during the breaking in period...

That is weird. Maybe they added that in the 2025 version. Mine is dated 2024, which is what my car is. It mentions reduced ground clearance. What model do you have?

 

[Achlys]

I was trying until i found out my dealership railed on my Dark Horse while it was in the shop. How do I know? 30 hours of driving and avg 17 mpg. Got it back with 35 miles driven and average below 16 with a little over 30 miles driven. Additionally found one of the rear tires were scraped up with curb scratches. And the bonus is a 6 inch blade in the passenger side.

That’s nuts!!
I would file a police report if they would take it and get the finger prints off the blade. I would raise holy hell, threaten to place an add in the local paper, and report to Ford. Their standing with Ford is most likely their biggest concern. I would be livid!! I’ll track my mileage next time.

 

[davidsteele1975]

That is weird. Maybe they added that in the 2025 version. Mine is dated 2024, which is what my car is. It mentions reduced ground clearance. What model do you have?

It's a 2025 based Mustang EcoBoost Fastback, the only option it came with is the Mustang Nite Pony Package.

I mean, I guess the handbook evolved, but I would have thought that the same handbook for say the EcoBoost would be largely the same for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 model, and later ones. If Ford's recommendations are updated, for some things I'm sure the advice might change for all of them - like tyre (tire) pressures, or, maybe the oil grade used. For breaking-in procedures.

The ride height comment made my wife and I chuckle. Her 2011 RAV4 has a warning that her SUV isn't a proper off-road vehicle, don't think it is, as it doesn't have the proper ground clearance. Kinda just like the Mustang... Lol...

I will say that one of the Mustang's appeals is that it's a sports car that still has a decent enough ground clearance. It's 5.6in for this model, compared with 6.4in for my 2020 Fusion, and interestingly enough my 1993 Mondeo LX TD had a 4.7in ground clearance. If you're unfamiliar with the UK and European Mondeo, that's essentially the Contour...

 

[Wiley Marmot]

I was pretty easy on mine for the first 1 K; gentle to moderate throttle & brakes. Got on both more between 1 K and 3500 mi.

After that? It was the Highway to Hell (AC/DC); no stop sign; or speed limits!

Just kidding. My GT has had a pretty easy life. I had the first oil/filter change done at 5 K; coming up on 10 K and will have another done. Then; every 10 K after that. Nothing but 5w-30 full synth and a premium filter that exceed factory specs. I'm oil and filter brand agnostic

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