Break In on Road Trip - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Brownster · 11-10-2012, 06:27 PM

I take ownership this week on a ZL1 vert and wanted to drive it to Key West from where I live (2300 mi roundtrip).Would this be a bad way to break in the car?

ckaram · 11-10-2012, 06:33 PM

Do a search here for the owners manual (doesn't necessarily have to be ZL1). Better yet, here's the text from mine, a 2011 SS:

New Vehicle Break-In
Notice: Follow these
recommended guidelines during
the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi) of
driving this vehicle. Parts have a
break‐in period and performance
will be better in the long run.
. For the first
2 414 km (1,500 mi):
. Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops.
. Do not exceed
4,000 engine rpm.
. Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow.
. Do not drive above
160 km/h (100 mph).
. Avoid downshifting to brake
or slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4,000 rpm.
. Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine in high
gear at low speeds. With a
manual transmission, shift to
the next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break‐in period.
. Do not participate in
racing events, sport driving
schools, or similar activities
during this break‐in period.
. Check engine oil with
every refueling and add
if necessary. Oil and fuel
consumption may be higher
than normal during the first
2 414 km (1,500 mi).
. To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid
hard cornering for the first
322 km (200 mi). New tires do
not have maximum traction
and may tend to slip.
. New brake linings also need
a break‐in period. Avoid
making hard stops during
the first 322 km (200 mi).
This is recommended every
time brake linings are
replaced.
. Should the vehicle be used
for racing or competitive
driving (after break‐in), the
rear axle lubricant must be
replaced before hand.

Probably not terribly different for your 580 horse monster. Enjoy! The key is vary your speeds and gears if M6.

C586 · 11-10-2012, 06:45 PM

You can't cruise at one speed for break in. Guessing you want to set the cruise for your trip?? Not a good idea. It needs to be loaded up to seat the rings.

Brownster · 11-10-2012, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the input....the car is a manual and am on the fence about following owner's manual recommendations after reading posts that seem to reccomend otherwise.

SlingShot · 11-10-2012, 07:14 PM

Just drive it and you'll be just fine...

trewyn15 · 11-10-2012, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlingShot

Just drive it and you'll be just fine...

The break in period is suggested, but kind of strict for what it is in my opinion.

ckaram · 11-10-2012, 07:40 PM

Like said, just drive it. What you don't want to do is hop in and set the cruise for one speed for a thousand miles.

Don't use the cruise and vary the gears and you'll be fine. I can't think of a better way to get to know your new Z than a thousand mile road trip. Exit a lot and enjoy the on-ramp blast!

firecross91 · 11-10-2012, 08:10 PM

On my cruises over 200 miles I would up and downshift evry 20 miles or so. It is easier if you can take non interstate roads where you are forced to vary your speed and use the brakes and clutch.

shiner98 · 11-10-2012, 08:20 PM

Get the Xpel front end clear installed before you take you road trip though!

I'm taking mine home-home for Thanksgiving to show it to my mom and take her for a ride, about a 700mile round trip. Before I leave I'm going to get the front end clear Xpel installed and take the scenic route through all the small towns so I'm forced to vary speeds and gears for my break in.

Brownster · 11-10-2012, 08:29 PM

Am going to install catch can and clear bra of some sort....will take some secondary roads along the way to vary speeds and loads.

Hercules · 11-10-2012, 08:45 PM

The only other thing that I read is not to go above 80 mph in the ZL1 for the first 1500 miles, and that is only on the ZL1.
just a friendly heads up, make sure that the tires are good and warm if you play at all. I just had mine out today, 50 degrees, and played before they were good and warm, much to my surprise. Which is a great thing. Not very sticky.

11-10-2012, 06:27 PM	#1
Brownster Drives: 1966 GTO Convertible/ZL1 Vert Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NE N.C. Posts: 271	Break In on Road Trip I take ownership this week on a ZL1 vert and wanted to drive it to Key West from where I live (2300 mi roundtrip).Would this be a bad way to break in the car?

11-10-2012, 06:33 PM	#2
ckaram Drives: 2011 2SS RS, 1968 ragtop Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,850	Do a search here for the owners manual (doesn't necessarily have to be ZL1). Better yet, here's the text from mine, a 2011 SS: New Vehicle Break-In Notice: Follow these recommended guidelines during the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi) of driving this vehicle. Parts have a break‐in period and performance will be better in the long run. . For the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi): . Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops. . Do not exceed 4,000 engine rpm. . Avoid driving at any one constant speed, fast or slow. . Do not drive above 160 km/h (100 mph). . Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle when the engine speed will exceed 4,000 rpm. . Do not let the engine labor. Never lug the engine in high gear at low speeds. With a manual transmission, shift to the next lower gear. This rule applies at all times, not just during the break‐in period. . Do not participate in racing events, sport driving schools, or similar activities during this break‐in period. . Check engine oil with every refueling and add if necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may be higher than normal during the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi). . To break in new tires, drive at moderate speeds and avoid hard cornering for the first 322 km (200 mi). New tires do not have maximum traction and may tend to slip. . New brake linings also need a break‐in period. Avoid making hard stops during the first 322 km (200 mi). This is recommended every time brake linings are replaced. . Should the vehicle be used for racing or competitive driving (after break‐in), the rear axle lubricant must be replaced before hand. Probably not terribly different for your 580 horse monster. Enjoy! The key is vary your speeds and gears if M6. __________________ 1968 Camaro Convertible LS1, T56

11-10-2012, 07:14 PM	#5
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	Just drive it and you'll be just fine... __________________

11-10-2012, 07:40 PM	#7
ckaram Drives: 2011 2SS RS, 1968 ragtop Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,850	Like said, just drive it. What you don't want to do is hop in and set the cruise for one speed for a thousand miles. Don't use the cruise and vary the gears and you'll be fine. I can't think of a better way to get to know your new Z than a thousand mile road trip. Exit a lot and enjoy the on-ramp blast! __________________ 1968 Camaro Convertible LS1, T56

11-10-2012, 06:45 PM	#3
C586 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NY Posts: 1,117	You can't cruise at one speed for break in. Guessing you want to set the cruise for your trip?? Not a good idea. It needs to be loaded up to seat the rings.

11-10-2012, 07:06 PM	#4
Brownster Drives: 1966 GTO Convertible/ZL1 Vert Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NE N.C. Posts: 271	Thanks for the input....the car is a manual and am on the fence about following owner's manual recommendations after reading posts that seem to reccomend otherwise.

11-10-2012, 08:10 PM	#8
firecross91 Drives: ZL1 #1691 Black on black. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: WNY Posts: 522	On my cruises over 200 miles I would up and downshift evry 20 miles or so. It is easier if you can take non interstate roads where you are forced to vary your speed and use the brakes and clutch.

11-10-2012, 08:20 PM	#9
shiner98 Drives: 13 AshGray M6 ZL1 w/Nav/ECF/Sunroof Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Galveston, TX Posts: 76	Get the Xpel front end clear installed before you take you road trip though! I'm taking mine home-home for Thanksgiving to show it to my mom and take her for a ride, about a 700mile round trip. Before I leave I'm going to get the front end clear Xpel installed and take the scenic route through all the small towns so I'm forced to vary speeds and gears for my break in.

11-10-2012, 08:29 PM	#10
Brownster Drives: 1966 GTO Convertible/ZL1 Vert Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NE N.C. Posts: 271	Am going to install catch can and clear bra of some sort....will take some secondary roads along the way to vary speeds and loads.

11-10-2012, 08:45 PM	#11
Hercules Drives: 13 ZL1 1091, 04 Ram 2500, 12 CX9 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 559 View My Garage	The only other thing that I read is not to go above 80 mph in the ZL1 for the first 1500 miles, and that is only on the ZL1. just a friendly heads up, make sure that the tires are good and warm if you play at all. I just had mine out today, 50 degrees, and played before they were good and warm, much to my surprise. Which is a great thing. Not very sticky.