Break-in period

[Carolina Buckeye]

Don't know what the set milage is for the break-in period, but I know I've crossed 4k miles and for the past 3 or 4 fill ups, my mpg is getting a lot better. The truck is running smoother. Not that it was bad before, but just a noticeable difference in the way it drives. Being this is my first Toyota truck, I'm enjoying the hell out of it. My LTZ was a Cadillac on the road, this Taco feels like a truck, and I love it.

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[Compy386]

Seems to mirror my experience. I never thought my truck ran or shifted "bad" by any means, but just felt a little rough around the edges early on. I'm just under 7k now, but around the 4-5k mile mark, I feel like it "softened up" in a good way. Engine seems a little less spastic and gear shifts are just fine now. I've always gotten what I consider to be good fuel economy from it, but I generally don't drive it like I stole it... unlike some of my previous vehicles.

I've experienced this with motorcycles as well... it's way more pronounced on those since you're basically just sitting on top of the engine. Every brand-new bike I've had has felt very "tight" in the first 3-5k miles or so, and then they reach this point where the engine is noticeably smoother and clicks through the gears like butter. This Tacoma has been my first-ever brand new car/truck so I've tried to watch it like a hawk. I think I spent too much time worrying about every little behavior it had early on because it has been a great truck so far. I'm looking forward to many many more smooth miles with mine.

 

[EastonTaco]

This is my second taco, I don’t remember any break-in changes on my 2021 sport. I have to agree that at around 4k to 5k miles on my 2024 sport things seemed to smooth out a bit. I have noticed that my first shift with an automatic trans in the morning is still just a little rough, not bad, but not as smooth as subsequent shifts. I have gotten into the habit of easing into the first shift of the day, then go regularly from there. Overall this truck rides, drives, and handles markedly better than my 2021. I’m at 11k miles and very happy with this truck.

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Couple of comments, I just pushed 16K on my Taco, and I'd say that mine is feeling broken in by this point, but I want to provide a caveat to everyone in that engine break in is going to take much longer with synthetic oils than convention, so please keep that in mind. I'm also breaking in a new Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L in which I'm using the manufacturer's recommended Honda 10W-30 conventional based oil. I can say for sure that @ the first change @ 600 miles that Honda must still be using a break-in oil as they did many years ago (thinking the 90's) for Autos. None the less I'm @ 4K miles on that and I'm on my 2nd oil change now. I'll be flipping to Amsoil Synthetic next change which is around the 3-4K for me (mfg recommended change is every 8K which is too far for me). Bike is starting to feel broken in, mostly by this point.

Otherwise, I'm using the Kirkland 0W-20 synthetic on my Taco. I change every 5K or sooner. But for sure the engine is feeling like it's broke in by this point. Oil changes are clean by this point with no shavings or otherwise like I pointed out previously in another thread.

Again just my two cents here since all of this (oil speaking) is a very controversial topic for people.

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