NOOB ALERT - Tremor Break-in

[TimmyTheKid17]

Been seeing a lot of folks throughout the various threads talking about breaking in their tremors prior to towing. Never been mechanically inclined (dont judge, lol) so I figured I’d ask; is there a ‘best practice’ for break-in. Miles, fluid changes, etc? If so, what is the reasoning and/or benefit(s) behind it? Just want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to take care of Kongzilla.

PS - kongzilla has been decalred the name of my tremor. A combo of king kong (because its all black color scheme, massive, and strong) and godzilla as a nod to the 7.3L engine.

 

[Jrod250]

Prepare for a million different views on this. Who knows what’s actually the “best” method.
personally I’ve always followed the manufacturer recommendations.
and that goes for fluid changes as well. the manufacturer spends a lot of time and resources on these vehicles and the best procedures for use. Just my 2 cents

I follow page 320 in the owners manual

 

[36general]

I took it easy on her for first 1k miles.. Didn’t tow heavy, varied RPM in cruise, tried not to redline it, etc.. Changed oil and filter at 1K with Mobil 1 synthetic.. Now I’ll just follow recommended maintenance intervals to keep her healthy.. I’ve been a Mobil 1 guy forever, its always treated me well and I’ll stick with it in the 7.3 ??

 

[TimmyTheKid17]

So pretty much put 1,000 miles on it at varying speeds and then change the engine oil and air filter and then I’m good to go...?

 

[Jrod250]

And I don’t know if there is any truth to it or not, but apparently the oil from the factory has a break in additive. ??‍

 

[Sludgemonkey44]

I have to agree with @Jrod250. The best bet for a person new to these vehicles (Or anyone for that matter) is to read and follow the manufacturer guidelines from the provided manual. They give these manuals out for a reason and they are full of valuable information about maintenance, fluids, controls, functionality, towing, etc. I would trust the opinion of the manual over anything anyone recommends on here (including myself). Hope this helps and enjoy that Tremor! ???

 

[PapaRaptor]

So pretty much put 1,000 miles on it at varying speeds and then change the engine oil and air filter and then I’m good to go...?

Thats what I do, let everything wear in I allow a nice warm up to and don't put the 1000 miles on at one time. Let the engine go thru a complete cycles of warm up cool down. I did my first oil change at 1,500 miles right before a towing campaign with my 5er.

I don't know about the additive in the oil for break in. I heard the factory oil has less lubrication ability and that enhances the wear in process. But who knows lots of mis-information out there.

 

[Jrod250]

And these manufacturers( not the dealer) will do anything to avoid paying for repairs if they can find a reason not to. I have to get my camper out of storage in about a month. It’s stored 1 mile away from my house and I want to ensure I have the recommended 1000 miles on it before I tow it. I’d be willing to bet that the computer knows and stores data’s as soon as it senses a load and lights plugged in.

 

[TimmyTheKid17]

Great advice. I'm the nerd that reads a manual front to back before I do anything, so I'll just be sure to continue to do that with my Tremor.

 

[Apparition]

Anybody have a pdf of the 2021 manual? I see there’s one in Ford Pass but I’d like to have one on my computer.

 

[MoKan]

Follow Ford's advice. Make sure you get it warm before driving. All trips should get engine coolant to temperature-no short trips without a long warm up.

I will probably pull the oil around 800 miles.

I will also send the break-in oil and a sample of the fresh Castrol to Blackstone labs for analysis. The fresh sample is for a baseline for the next oil change.

Differential fluid might be good as well... I will have to defer to those with more experience than I.

 

[ECHO-24]

So pretty much put 1,000 miles on it at varying speeds and then change the engine oil and air filter and then I’m good to go...?

No need to change the air filter @ 1000 miles, unless it is dirty.

 

[Dissident]

Anybody have a pdf of the 2021 manual? I see there’s one in Ford Pass but I’d like to have one on my computer.

Ford.com has all the manuals in PDF

 

[PapaRaptor]

Keep in mind the owners manual gives you a recommended interval for service ( oil changes ) You can always perform the service earlier and more often. If you do your own it's not that expensive considering the cost of a new one. The only benefit of dealership Service is the record of it. You can record your own record of oil changes and keep a log of it. I have had more troubles with the "oil change monkeys" at dealerships. Mainly they don't wipe the excess oil and you get home only to find a puddle under your new truck or they use a wrench and torque down the drain plug and filter so tight. Plus the hassle of going there and waiting for it. Unless the dealership puts a real mechanic who cares about his work on your truck. I avoid oil changes there. Not all dealerships have minimum wage morons changing oil. Mine seems to, have these "lubrication specialist". No thanks,

The differential service is also a great idea. You can do that very easy as well. Get a $ 12.00 pump for the gear oil, drain it and replace the gear oil Probably faster than the oil change. Just need to research the proper viscosity of the gear lube, brands and how much you will need.

 

[Apparition]

Ford.com has all the manuals in PDF

I looked there before posting. It said there wasn’t one for the 2021. It was on the same page as the brochures.

 

[Apparition]

Keep in mind the owners manual gives you a recommended interval for service ( oil changes ) You can always perform the service earlier and more often. If you do your own it's not that expensive considering the cost of a new one. The only benefit of dealership Service is the record of it. You can record your own record of oil changes and keep a log of it. I have had more troubles with the "oil change monkeys" at dealerships. Mainly they don't wipe the excess oil and you get home only to find a puddle under your new truck or they use a wrench and torque down the drain plug and filter so tight. Plus the hassle of going there and waiting for it. Unless the dealership puts a real mechanic who cares about his work on your truck. I avoid oil changes there. Not all dealerships have minimum wage morons changing oil. Mine seems to, have these "lubrication specialist". No thanks,

The differential service is also a great idea. You can do that very easy as well. Get a $ 12.00 pump for the gear oil, drain it and replace the gear oil Probably faster than the oil change. Just need to research the proper viscosity of the gear lube, brands and how much you will need.

I use the Fuelly app to track fuel and all services. Type and brands of oil, which filters and when it was done.

 

[TimmyTheKid17]

I really should start to change my own oils and such. I’m not very mechanically inclined but I’m a pretty quick study. Are there any good tutorials or videos on the interwebs you would suggest so that I can learn how to do it myself?

 

[PapaRaptor]

I really should start to change my own oils and such. I’m not very mechanically inclined but I’m a pretty quick study. Are there any good tutorials or videos on the interwebs you would suggest so that I can learn how to do it myself?

Lots of YOUTUBE some are good some are funny

 

[Dissident]

https://owner.ford.com/tools/account/how-tos/owner-manuals.html?year=2021&make=Ford&model=F-350

I looked there before posting. It said there wasn’t one for the 2021. It was on the same page as the brochures.

 

[Guest2542]

I really should start to change my own oils and such. I’m not very mechanically inclined but I’m a pretty quick study. Are there any good tutorials or videos on the interwebs you would suggest so that I can learn how to do it myself?

Plenty on YT.