I know you shouldn't run at a constant RPM at 1st. For how long? I've got 350 miles on the new truck and need to drive 300 miles this weekend mostly freeways.
Soory for the cliche', I drove it like I stole it! In other words, at least for a gasser, drive it the way you intend to drive it every day for the life of the truck. Just dont forget to change the oil... my .02
Duno if it's true but I read somewere that you want to alternate your speeds on the Hwy. Like go 65 fer a wile then 75...then 60...then 80....so in that raspect the cruz control should not be used during the breakin period (whatever that is). Again I have no facts that this is correct or not...just something I read...
Yes Burt thar's my understanding too. At 65 on the freeway I've been switching between t/h and normal to change from 3rd and 4th gear. Plus changing speeds so I don't run a constant engine RPM.
I headed coast-to-coast with less than 300 miles or so of mixed driving on mine. When I got home, I was over 2000 miles and changed all fluids (including diffs, but not trans) and filters. If that "changing rpm" was ever valid, I think it was probably on older engines back in the 50s or something. I think if it were critical, or even relevant, your owner's manual would have information on break-in procedures or something. And for the conspiracy theorists who want to say that it's not there specifically to encourage engine failure outside warranty, Consumer Reports, Car and Driver, and so on would have been crowing the advantages of "proper break-in" and "detailed reports of improper break-in" again and again. With traffic, fuel, food, rest stops, and all the rest, you won't be spending THAT much time at any one rpm anyway…
I agree. With the tight tolerances of todays engines just driving it normally without abusing is all that is needed for breaking an engine in. Thats what I have been told my many people.
Owners manual says that Cummins needs no particular break-in procedure, but keep speeds below 50 for first 500 miles, for the gears/bearing, etc. That was impossible for me (Pa Turnpike is my 2nd home!), so I varied the speed as much as possible from 60 to 75 over the first 500. After warmup (@ 15 mins.) give her a couple of full-throttle runs (not over 2500rpm) for 3 to 5 second at a time to seat the rings asap. I change my oil at the 500 mile mark on new vehicles, then to normal oil change program (whatever that is for you!) Best of luck!
I just got a new 2500 Dodge Ram 4x2 on Sunday with the Hummin Cummins, and my diesel owner's manual said that there is no break-in period for the Cummins.
