Hello, I am new to this site. I own a black Jeep Cherokee SRT-8 which will be coming via truck tomorrow. It has 28 miles from the dealership and I want to know how to properly break in the engine. What should or shouldn't I do and for how long? Please let me know so I do not destroy my engine.

The GC SRT-8 manual will tell you exactly what you need to do.

In short, for the first 500mi, soft accel from a stand still and a little more aggressive accel at cruising. Also keep below 65 - 70. From 500 to 1000, keep hard accel to a minimum, and speed under 85.

I don't have mine yet either, but I remember seeing a photo of the page in the manual that said this on another forum.

Exactly like Mega mentions. Take it easy the first 500 miles, then after that have at it. I can't wait for mine to come in, build date is 3/8. :D

The GC SRT-8 manual will tell you exactly what you need to do.

In short, for the first 500mi, soft accel from a stand still and a little more aggressive accel at cruising. Also keep below 65 - 70. From 500 to 1000, keep hard accel to a minimum, and speed under 85.

I don't have mine yet either, but I remember seeing a photo of the page in the manual that said this on another forum.

It's funny you say this. My manual says that for the first sixty miles, I shouldn't do highway speeds. At 60 to 300 miles I can drive highway speeds with periodic short bursts of hard acceleration, and then after 300 miles I can pretty much drive it any way I want given I don't do many 100+ mph runs. I would say that after a 1000 miles You can really start to have a go at it.

Intersesting:confused:

Well after searching about 15 minutes for that photo, I finally found it. You are right. I had thought 500mi, but ithe correct breakin time is 300mi. Here's the link:
http://www.***********/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=70&d=1138230328

So does "BigHemi" have it right?

The manual has it at 300 miles - then no restrictions. I read just about everything on this vehicle prior to getting delivery in January. The block is bored and honed with a torque plate attached (in place of the head) which gives a much more precise machining of the cylinder bores. Therefore, the rings need much less time to properly seat.

Don't baby these engines. Avoid full throttle burst of speed from a standing still when new. Highway driving is the best way to break them in, vary the throttle and speeds until 300 miles, then some burst of speed from a roll, after that give it hell! I broke mine in at the drag strip with 9 full bore runs from a stand still. I changed my oil after 500 miles and again at 1000 miles, just to be sure no contamination circulates through the engine. I also cut open my oil filters to check for any metal, none was found. Watch for the Smokies on the roads. Ha Ha At the drag strip you don't have to worry! GL Gene :D

I changed my oil after 500 miles and again at 1000 miles, just to be sure no contamination circulates through the engine. I also cut open my oil filters to check for any metal, none was found. Watch for the Smokies on the roads. Ha Ha At the drag strip you don't have to worry! GL Gene :D

I'm not to hip to some of the slang on this forum, can you tell me what a "Smokie" is? Also what oil and filter did you use?

haha, in the context of what he said, it means "Highway Patrol" aka Police

he could also be saying to look out for large talking bears that fight forest fires..."Only YOU can fight forest fires!"

I stopped by the dealer today to talk to the service manager. I wanted to get the reverse mirror tilt turned on. We got to talking about mods and how soon to do them. He agreed abou the 300 mile dreal in. I am at 540 now. I hope it's not that critical, when I test drove it (it had 12 miles) the salesman had me take on the highway and we did a short 80 mph run. I hope I don't have any long term issues. I plan on getting a full inspection and oil change at 2000 miles. Then I will switch to the normal service schedule.