Engine break-in - still a concern or no?

[DDustiNN]

I will be geting a 2SS/RS auto, and it will be my DD. I drive about 22 miles to work, all city traffic, so that will be no problem in the beginning for the break-in. Then after a little while I'll switch to the freeway

So now for my question... the dealer I'm looking at is about 125 miles away. I'm assuming that taking the freeway home from the dealer won't be the best idea because of the constant speed... should I just double my travel time (not that I'll mind, of course!) and take city roads all the way home? Or is this not enough driving to be concerned about?

Just looking for opinions/advice.

Thanks!

[kanys]

The answer to your question is this is not really a concern anymore. The majority of car buyers will just follow what the manual says, which is usually to drive asy for the first 600 miles or so. This is pretty good advice, though I gaurantee you a substantial number of car buyers do not follow it. However most people on this site, myself included will follow some sort of break-in technique. The way I see it is that the engine is for the most part broken in at the factory, but the rest of the components still need to wear into place. Thus I will be taking everything slow and smooth the first 1000 miles - cornering, accelerating, braking, etc. As for your drive home a highway drive is perfectly ok as long as you VARY THE RPMs. Also DO NOT use cruise control. I have quite a drive from the dealership back to my house as well, and am going to add about 30 minutes to my trip to take country roads back as opposed to the interstate so I can mix up the speed more.

[UncleBenny]

You don't HAVE to go the exact same speed on the freeway. Just rev it up every once and a while then slow back down again(within reason). Taking the scenic route would probably be more fun anyway though.

[DDustiNN]

Cool thanks guys!

[Moose]

This topic has gone on since the beginning of time. (And NO HARM in asking!!!)

I'm "old school", so I like to pamper a new engine for the first 500mi. That being said, I believe todays engines are built to much higher tolerances than in the past, therefore, as long as you don't red line it, don't worry about it.

[CWI]

Originally Posted by kanys

The answer to your question is this is not really a concern anymore. The way I see it is that the engine is for the most part broken in at the factory, but the rest of the components still need to wear into place. .

I agree with most of what you said. I will be working in Colorado till the end of June. I should get my Camaro by then. That means I will go back to Oregon to pick it up. I will most likely stay there a couple days breaking it in with varying speeds and road conditions, then driving the 1100 miles back to Colorado.
Rings and bearings are pretty much broke in at the factory when they test the engines before they get put on the frame. Everything else takes care of itself. The tranny and rear gears will be polished in the first couple hundred miles.

[Redwolf20]

Taking mine from Colo to Cent Cali so that should be a good break-in run especially with a few mountain passes included.

[Camaro_Corvette]

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...hlight=breakin

[TomServo]

Originally Posted by DDustiNN

I will be geting a 2SS/RS auto, and it will be my DD. I drive about 22 miles to work, all city traffic, so that will be no problem in the beginning for the break-in. Then after a little while I'll switch to the freeway

So now for my question... the dealer I'm looking at is about 125 miles away. I'm assuming that taking the freeway home from the dealer won't be the best idea because of the constant speed... should I just double my travel time (not that I'll mind, of course!) and take city roads all the way home? Or is this not enough driving to be concerned about?

Just looking for opinions/advice.

Thanks!

Taken from page 2-21 of the Corvette Owners Manual:

New Vehicle Break-In
Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
• Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the first 500 miles (805 km).
• Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
• Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.

I'd guess break-in procedures will be identical since the both share the same motor, transmissions and other drive train components.

[Muscle Master]

Originally Posted by kanys

The answer to your question is this is not really a concern anymore. The majority of car buyers will just follow what the manual says, which is usually to drive asy for the first 600 miles or so. This is pretty good advice, though I gaurantee you a substantial number of car buyers do not follow it. However most people on this site, myself included will follow some sort of break-in technique. The way I see it is that the engine is for the most part broken in at the factory, but the rest of the components still need to wear into place. Thus I will be taking everything slow and smooth the first 1000 miles - cornering, accelerating, braking, etc. As for your drive home a highway drive is perfectly ok as long as you VARY THE RPMs. Also DO NOT use cruise control. I have quite a drive from the dealership back to my house as well, and am going to add about 30 minutes to my trip to take country roads back as opposed to the interstate so I can mix up the speed more.

+ 1,000

[kalel]

Originally Posted by TomServo

Taken from page 2-21 of the Corvette Owners Manual:

New Vehicle Break-In
Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
• Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the first 500 miles (805 km).
• Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
• Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.

I'd guess break-in procedures will be identical since the both share the same motor, transmissions and other drive train components.

That is good information. I will take me a long time to get to 500 miles. My daily commute is only two miles.

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

Mine is about 20 miles round trip max. So it will be about a month or so before broke in.

Steph and I are thinking of doing a little road trip around the area to break it in maybe a weekend when it gets here.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by kalel

That is good information. I will take me a long time to get to 500 miles. My daily commute is only two miles.

Same here. Work is only .5 miles from where I live. It'll take me 2 months to drive 500 miles.

[nonsensez9]

stay on the freeway, drop down to 4th and 5th gear once in a while