Hi all. I just purchased an 08 RAM 1500 with the HEMI. Any engine breakin tips other then to vary the RPM and to take it easy?

I'm planning on keeping tis truck for a while, so I want to do it right from the beginning.

Thanks!

 

Yup vary the rpm, just a little full throttle, etc.

Change the oil at 1000 miles to get rid of any shavings.

 

Well....to each his own. Anymore they say there is no breakin period. I changed my oil and the factory recomemded 3000....and then every 5k from there.

 

For a long time, the recommendation was mountain driving. Lotsa top-gear acceleration followed by light braking and lift-throttle deceleration. Next is city driving (much the same conditions). Highway driving is steady 45, steady 60, full-throttle gallop to 80 or 85, then let him rest at 50-55 for a while. No hard stops, no lengthy idling.

I changed the oil in my new Mazda at 1,000 miles, again at 3,000. It'll be every 3,000 from now on. Since it's a high-revving turbo, I'll put synthetic in at 9K or so. Use of a synthetic in a pushrod N/A engine is your choice. The oil gets dirty at the same rate.

Enjoy your new ride. They're great trucks -- I love mine. And, BTW, THIS THREAD IS USELESS WITHOUT PICS!!!!

 

Engine break-in isn't what it was 20 years ago. Basically, like stated above, avoid running at the same rpm at for maybe the first 500 miles. Don't open it up for about that long, and yea, an oil change at 1000-1500 miles isn't a bad idea.
Change it again at 3000 and at that time it'll be ok to go with a synthetic if that's you inclination.
Other things to consider is to not hit the brakes hard, just as you would ease a new set of pads in if you had just changed them, don't tow for the first 500 miles either, at least not a heavy load or very far, you want to let the gears in the diff. settle in properly.
Basically that's it, take care of it, keep up on the fluid changes, if you plan on owning it a long time, full synthetics are also a good idea, along with regular maintenance. If you take care of it properly, it'll service you for a long time...

 

Thanks guys. I am planning on going to synthetic after about 3000km (I'm Canadian eh). Seems like people here are using Royal Purple which is what I like to use.

Hunting season is coming fast and I'll be towing a 7000lbs trailer with my quad in the back. By then I should have a couple thousand kms (1242 miles) so I should be good to go.

Thanks again guys!

 

Now I know you don't hunt because you've not gone to the "Great Outdoors" section and voted in my huner's poll yet...

 

Haha! I'm on it!