Most casual drivers (and even some professionals) underestimate how important it is to “break-in” a new engine mindfully. Like a new pair of shoes, a new baseball glove, or even – if you want to extend the metaphor to ridiculous lengths – a new pet, the way you treat an engine during its first 1,000 to 3,000 miles of use can profoundly influence its performance and even the lifetime use you get out of your vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »