Miata Mailing List: August 1994, Message #125
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   From: mikef@mer-mail.ctron.com (Michael Friedman)
Subject: Re: Care and Feeding of my new baby
   Date: Thu, 4 Aug 1994 15:38:20 -0400

 > From: das@mda.ca (Darcy Semeniuk)
 > 1)  I've heard that you should change a new car's oil after ~750 miles
 >     to get rid of the junk (engine lube) & metal filings that are left 
 >     over from the manufacturing process and occur during the break-in
 >     period.  How true/useful is this?  

This couldn't hurt.  The figure I've always used is ~1000 miles.  I
change the oil every 3000 miles thereafter.  Cheap insurance.

 > 
 > 2)  How long is the break-in period and what should I limit the RPMs to
 >     during this period?

Mazda claims no breakin is required.  I have always used the following
on new cars (with execellent results):

1: Don't baby the engine.  Don't let it lug either.
2: Run the engine over it's entire RPM range, but don't
hold any one setting for more than a minute or two.
3: No racing or over-revving until after the first oil change.

 > 
 > 3)  I've got a hard top (In Canada, if you want ABS/LSD/SRS you have to
 >     either get a hard top or the leather package) that I plan on storing
 >     most of the time.  Do I need to do anything special, or can I just
 >     cover it up with a blanket and leave it in a corner in the garage?

My hardtop is sitting out on the deck with a few foam blocks under it
to protect the mounting points.  I figure if it can withstand the 
winter on the car, the summer on the deck should be a snap!  (besides,
I couldn't find a place for it in my shed)

Good luck with your new car.  May you avoid the path of the 
Prince of Darkness.  (I had to sneak in a Lucas reference)

Mike