That about sums up what the owners manual and good ole common sense says.

 

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum. I had a 2012 1500, 5.7 Hemi, broke it in by the manual, and had 36K on it in the first year. I never got over 17 MPG, and before I traded it in it was getting about 14 MPG on the highway. Is that normal?

 

No . Well maybe. Tell us more. Gearing? 2wd or 4wd? Tires/wheels and such. It also sounds like another THREAD.

 

Was it stock? If so, definitely not 'normal'. Was it modded or heavily modded? Large heavy tires and wheels will kill the mileage.

 

I changed my oil early at 1000 miles for the 1st change. The bigggest factor for me was driving habits. My fuel mileage would drop at anything over 70mph. In regards to breakin I drove the vehicle normal while gradually increasing rpm as the miles accumulated. So many variables.

 

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONSA long break-in period is not required for the engine inyour vehicle.Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within thelimits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detrimentaland should be avoided.

I floored it occasionally after 60 miles were on her. Havent done it much since.

 

Break in is all nice and dandy, maybe the first 100 miles just in case some part is cast badly, but after that I beat mine like a red headed stepchild. Not that I floored it all the time, but I drove it normally.

I figured that at at 100 miles the brakes, motor and tranny were broken in. I have not had any problems other than a phantom electrical problem that has nothing to do with break-in.

Mileage gets better and better now that I am at 8k miles.