25,000 miles-finally broken in?

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

When I bought my CRD, the tech who prepped it told me that it would take 20-30,000 miles to really break in the car. He is one of the diesel techs at the dealership which also sells dodge trucks and he works on them as well.

I have to say, now that I am at almost 25k miles that the Jeep really seems to be coming into its own. I am getting just under 25 mpg on my daily commute at 70-75mph. The vehicle seems to be running much more smoothly and seems "looser" when I step on accelerator. In addition, it is running cooler and seems to cool down faster than last fall (when temps were the same as now). The temp gauge used to hold at "11:58", but now shows about 11:55 and drops right down after getting off hiway. I used to have to let it idle 2-3 min when I got to work to cool down the turbo as work is right off the ramp, but now just waiting a minute or so gets the needle below 11:55. I think that the "looseness" of the engine/tranny causes the engine to work less hard and produces less excess heat, but I don't really know.

I have an appointment next week for the 25k service and will have the flash updates done. Hopefully that will get me even better mpg, but it remains to be seen

blacksmoke · **Posted:** Sat May 06, 2006 12:17 am

Very good observations! Yes a common-rail diesel, which by definition has to cope with so much internal pressure, does have a very tight metal-to-metal specs. That mean it take longer to "smooth-out" than other engine types. also mean it could last a long time if handled properly (OIL OIL OIL!)

Maybe we should start a club for the 25k miles+ members, what name should it be? Funny I have "smooth operator" in mind but hey, that's just me and my normal crazy state

Bonehead · **Posted:** Sat May 06, 2006 6:35 am

27,700mi and counting here

marauderer · **Posted:** Sat May 06, 2006 8:10 am

Man, you guys are Rocking and Rolling. I have had mine a month today and only have 1500 mi on it. I have a couple of long trips this summer that should bump me up a bit.

It is good to hear that the CRD is doing well and that folks are happy with them.

KJbob · **Posted:** Sat May 06, 2006 10:17 am

I should have 25k on mine by Oct-Nov this year. Currently I'm at 11k.

I agree, diesels take longer to break in, but even at 11k mine is starting to "smooth out".

gsbrockman · **Posted:** Sat May 06, 2006 12:28 pm

If you want to reduce break-in time, hook a trailer to your CRD and tow something heavy (within specs) for a bit. The extra work the engine has to produce to overcome the towed item will contribute to an earlier, lower mileage break-in.

Works great on the Dodge 2500/3500's w/CTD's so it couldn't hurt our CRD's ! :lol:

Greg

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:23 pm

The newer diesels do take some time to get "broke in". 25k miles to break in is not unrealistic. The Volvo Semi I drive with a Cummins ISX engine did not settle down till it broke 80K miles. I have 112K on it now. Got it in Sept 05.

My last Cummins was traded at 1.4 Million miles. No overhaul. Diesels, if taken care of, will last a long, long time.

Cliff

marauderer · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:34 pm

gsbrockman wrote:

If you want to reduce break-in time, hook a trailer to your CRD and tow something heavy (within specs) for a bit. The extra work the engine has to produce to overcome the towed item will contribute to an earlier, lower mileage break-in.

Works great on the Dodge 2500/3500's w/CTD's so it couldn't hurt our CRD's ! :lol:

Greg

So driving my CRD with a trailer weighing about 2K lbs for 5K miles will help it run better, Right??

gsbrockman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:17 pm

marauderer wrote:

So driving my CRD with a trailer weighing about 2K lbs for 5K miles will help it run better, Right??

Couldn't hurt.....it should reduce the amount of break-in time / miles. I'd suspect you to get earlier higher fuel economy (unloaded) with a trip of that nature.

Greg

marauderer · **Posted:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:39 pm

I really need to get all the fluids changed and modify the EGR and get the other fuel filter installed as a minimum before I go. Of well, I will be travelling until 6/27 and then have a month to get it ready.

25,000 miles-finally broken in?

Who is online