When is an engine fully run in? As in max power/economy?

[Logic]

I know the break in period for most engines is around 1000 km or 600 miles, but IIRC it takes a bit more mileage than that before the engine is at it best.
At it's most optimal power or economy, depending on your foot.

I see that in Canada cars are 'run in' for 6000 km before fuel economy testing..?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_e...in_automobiles

"I’ve been told by factory trained technicians to not expect advertised specifications until at least 10,000-15,000 miles"
https://www.reddit.com/r/askcarguys/...umulate_miles/

???

[freebeard]

New tires at 500 miles, so :shrug:

Is that when the boron additive goes in?

[Ecky]

Anecdotally, Insights seem to do their best after at least 50,000 miles. 1-2% differences are easier to see in them when they're getting the better part of 100mpg.

[Logic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Anecdotally, Insights seem to do their best after at least 50,000 miles. 1-2% differences are easier to see in them when they're getting the better part of 100mpg.

Thx Echy

Wow! At least 50 000 miles is way more than I expected!
What's your regimen for oils and filters?

[Logic]

Originally Posted by freebeard

New tires at 500 miles, so :shrug:

Is that when the boron additive goes in?

Let's keep this thread Boron free shall we freebeard. You know what will happen otherwise.

[Logic]

Originally Posted by Logic

Let's keep this thread Boron free shall we freebeard. You know what will happen otherwise.

You see! Now we've frightened Ecky away! LOL!

Originally Posted by Ecky

Anecdotally, Insights seem to do their best after at least 50,000 miles. 1-2% differences are easier to see in them when they're getting the better part of 100mpg.

Ecky?
What oil and oil/filter change interval did you use?
Initial Run In?

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Logic

You see! Now we've frightened Ecky away! LOL!



Ecky?
What oil and oil/filter change interval did you use?
Initial Run In?

I haven't owned an Insight from zero miles, personally. I follow Insight Central very closely, however, and this seems to be consensus. I imagine it's things like piston rings loosening up, bearing clearances, axle joints, etc. They're clearly designed to last, as a neglected and abused Insight engine is still good for 400,000 miles, and those which are cared for seem to last 6-700,000 before needing retirement - not because they fail catastrophically, but they get down on power.

My previous Insight, I owned from ~150k to ~250k on the stock engine. I changed the oil with Mobil 1 0w20 and a Walmart filter (FRAM or equivalent) every 7500 miles, and did the transmission fluid once. About once a year I'd smack the air filter against a fence a few times. Beyond that, it needed no maintenance to speak of (a wheel bearing, and the clutch master started leaking). At 250k miles it burned no oil and essentially drove and delivered the same fuel economy as it did when I bought it. Better, even, though it's hard to separate driving style honed over 10 years from vehicle performance.

At 250k I put a Honda K24 engine in at that point and drove it for another 3 years before moving overseas. Selling the original powertrain just about paid for the other engine I put in.

My current Insight has ~105k miles (170k km) and runs and drives much the same as my last one.

[Logic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I haven't owned an Insight from zero miles, personally. I follow Insight Central very closely, however, and this seems to be consensus. I imagine it's things like piston rings loosening up, bearing clearances, axle joints, etc. They're clearly designed to last, as a neglected and abused Insight engine is still good for 400,000 miles, and those which are cared for seem to last 6-700,000 before needing retirement - not because they fail catastrophically, but they get down on power.

My previous Insight, I owned from ~150k to ~250k on the stock engine. I changed the oil with Mobil 1 0w20 and a Walmart filter (FRAM or equivalent) every 7500 miles, and did the transmission fluid once. About once a year I'd smack the air filter against a fence a few times. Beyond that, it needed no maintenance to speak of (a wheel bearing, and the clutch master started leaking). At 250k miles it burned no oil and essentially drove and delivered the same fuel economy as it did when I bought it. Better, even, though it's hard to separate driving style honed over 10 years from vehicle performance.

At 250k I put a Honda K24 engine in at that point and drove it for another 3 years before moving overseas. Selling the original powertrain just about paid for the other engine I put in.

My current Insight has ~105k miles (170k km) and runs and drives much the same as my last one.

Wow.
Thx Ecky.

I've always liked the early Insight.


Is fitting new (improved?) batteries not an option?

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Logic

Wow.
Thx Ecky.

I've always liked the early Insight.


Is fitting new (improved?) batteries not an option?

I have a bunch of lithium batteries sitting on a shelf, waiting to go into this one. There's a thriving community, with active development of improvements. One can buy a kit in the US now from a mainstream hybrid battery supplier, that uses lithium batteries. There is also a plug-in hybrid option, with a few people reporting reliably 1500-2500 mile (10 gallon) tanks.

[Logic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I have a bunch of lithium batteries sitting on a shelf, waiting to go into this one. There's a thriving community, with active development of improvements. One can buy a kit in the US now from a mainstream hybrid battery supplier, that uses lithium batteries. There is also a plug-in hybrid option, with a few people reporting reliably 1500-2500 mile (10 gallon) tanks.

I'm envious!

Enjoy the tinkering.
I'd definitely go PHEV!

And a engine and er... lube mod or 2.