NEW 2008 Dakota....Any opinions on break-in and Oil type?

wildakman · #1 01-10-2008, 10:01 AM

NEWBY HERE!!!!!!!!! I just traded in my 98 Ford pickup (Nascar edition) andbought a NEW 2008 DakotaSLT 3.7 V6....Does anyone have any opinions on a good break-in for this vehicle and whats the best Oil type?
I bought this after looking/driving for two weeks at every dealer I passed and did some research. I'm 6' 8" tall, so I couldnt get into everything and I didnt want a big truck. My estimation was that the chevys quality sucked, couldnt get into the Fords and the toyota's felt like vibration city. When I got into this Dodge, it just felt right and drove better than any truck I checked. So here I am!!!!!

Any help on the breakin and oil would be appreciated!

Patrick

Nicegy525 · #2 01-10-2008, 06:50 PM

First few hundred miles or so, variate the speeds by accelerating and slowing down. Shift through all the gears. This get the valves seated and allows the clearences to loosen up a bit. After say about 500 miles or so, change the oil to get any metal shavings out. After 1,000 miles drive it like ya stole it!

07QCDAK · #3 01-10-2008, 07:02 PM

I did not do this but I keep running across this guys website when someone asks about breaking in thier car or truck (http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm)... I did the easy driving for the first 300 then basically drove it like I would normally drive. 1st Oil change at 1000 miles,... maybe my next vehicle I'll do the above links break in,.. I should forward that website to myth busters to see if they would test it....

John

EDSHAM · #4 01-11-2008, 08:16 AM

My auto mechanics teacher in the seventies told us your car will always run like you broke it in. He suggested breaking them in hard and fast; claimed he always had done so with never a longevity problem. He had a sweet 1968 327cu Chevy El Camino that he had bought new. I've always followed his advice.
When I picked up my '85 Mustang GT Convertible (first ever new car) in Bremerhaven Germany, the first thing I did was put the top down and then read the owner's manual. They've always said drive at varying rpms and be gentle on the brakes. Well I drove from idle to redline in every gear the 400 milesback to Heilbronn in four hours with a couple of smoke stops. The brakes were squeeking the next day! I drove that GT in Germany for seven years and only got passed on the Autobahn once by a turbo BMW 745i but I did have to replace the brakes every two years.

Cirrusly_Fast · #5 01-13-2008, 12:31 PM

with the 08, mine told me when to change the oil, but I have the 4.7 V8 so this might be different. also when you open up the hood it should tell you the suggested type of oil. mine is 5w-20. I used Mobil 1.

also you might have to use a different oil filter than the 07's and before. I looked at getting the Fram TG16 which is what fit the dakotas from 07 and below, but now that dodge revamped the engines you might have to have a different filter. for my 08 V8, i have to use a bosch 3415 I believe. I have a post about it here.

then after you change your oil you have to turn the ignition to on (without starting the engine) and slowly press the gas pedal three times. this will reset the change oil warning until the next time you must change your oil.

wildakman · #6 01-14-2008, 09:21 AM

LOL......WTF.......... If I do that procedure to change the oil warning light, The injectors will flood the cylinders and possibly burn some valves!!!!

Thanks, but no thanks!

Can anybody else verify this procedure?

Nicegy525 · #7 01-14-2008, 11:59 AM

with the ignition on but not running, pressing the gas pedal will not send fuel through the injectors. its all electronic now.

Cirrusly_Fast · #8 01-14-2008, 05:47 PM

hey no worries, I only have an 08 and have done it already, and you asked for advice, next time I just let you figure that stuff out on your own.

[>:]

wildakman · #9 01-14-2008, 08:55 PM

Okay........CIRRUSLY..........Didnt mean to offend you!!! Its just that, coming from a former ford owner, what you mentioned would not have worked. Sorry, just not sure what works or not with the dodges.
I noticed that these new dakotas have a split driveshaft and a plastic manifold, has anyone ever had any trouble with either of them?

PAD

Cirrusly_Fast · #10 01-14-2008, 10:33 PM

I'm not so much offended as curious as to why you might ask these questions, get a true answer from the first person on the boards with an 2008 and then dismiss the answers you get. No worries though.