Failed Break-In - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

MattThomas08 · 12-01-2009, 02:54 PM

Just picked up my 1LT/RS a couple weeks ago and did a pretty terrible break-in on the car. I was an idiot and (somewhat) followed the manual on break-in. I didn't really get on it too many times and, due to work, had to drive it for long drives (5 hours) at around probably 500 miles.

After reading the article by Darin Morgan, http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39955, I'm realizing I made a mistake.

My question is, what do I do now? I'm at about 1600 miles, haven't had an oil change, and have another 5 hour drive ahead of me (this is the last one I'll be doing, as I've decided I'm keeping my other car as a daily driver and for trips).

What do you guys think? I've been looking over the forums for a few weeks and trying to learn from others. This is my first Chevy - I used to have a 94 4.6L Thunderbird and love my new car.

This is the only pic I have on this computer, but I'll put some others up later.

Thanks for any help you can give.

-Matt

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Name: IMG_0072.jpg
Views: 936
Size: 184.7 KB

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/mthomas/Pictures/MT/Car/IMG_0072.JPG[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Users/mthomas/Pictures/MT/Car/IMG_0072.JPG[/IMG]

tradosaurus · 12-01-2009, 03:06 PM

Hey, nice car.

If it was me I would first change the oil and oil filter.

Then I would do a hard break-in for 500 miles. There is no science to the hard break-in. My personal preference is to get to the speed limit as fast as possible (when not driving in city traffic). Find some on ramps to the interstate and let it rip.

Change the oil and oil filter again.

Then continue to enjoy your driving experience.

Xanthos · 12-01-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tradosaurus

Hey, nice car.

If it was me I would first change the oil and oil filter.

Then I would do a hard break-in for 500 miles. There is no science to the hard break-in. My personal preference is to get to the speed limit as fast as possible (when not driving in city traffic). Find some on ramps to the interstate and let it rip.

Change the oil and oil filter again.

Then continue to enjoy your driving experience.

Agreed. And while you're on your trip, keep the speed varied slightly the whole way and try to find some stretches where you can let your speed drop down a bit (50-55ish should be good) and then open it up to as fast as you feel safe doing. 80-85 should be easily attainable.
- X

Toxsan · 12-01-2009, 03:53 PM

Oil change and hard varied speed for sure. Try not to keep it in higher gear the whole time. Sucks for gas but better to not have it at the same rpms for that long. break it in like you wanna drive it hehe.

SSOOCH · 12-01-2009, 04:56 PM

I sure hope you guys break in your Women different than you guys break in a car. That Darin Guy is wrong. I don't care what anybody says.

"Just Beat the S*** out of it, that's what I do"!!

tradosaurus · 12-01-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

I sure hope you guys break in your Women different than you guys break in a car. That Darin Guy is wrong. I don't care what anybody says.

"Just Beat the S*** out of it, that's what I do"!!

SSOOCH, what's with all the negative vibes? Chill baby!

TJ91 · 12-01-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

I sure hope you guys break in your Women different than you guys break in a car. That Darin Guy is wrong. I don't care what anybody says.

"Just Beat the S*** out of it, that's what I do"!!

With the purple stick?

CamaroBAMF28 · 12-01-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

I sure hope you guys break in your Women different than you guys break in a car. That Darin Guy is wrong. I don't care what anybody says.

"Just Beat the S*** out of it, that's what I do"!!

i mean if your rich go ahead and beat the shit outta it. cuz if u do something dumb and crash it and total it then you can get another. but not all of us are as fortunate as others

Mr Smith · 12-01-2009, 05:57 PM

Dont think theres any such thing as a "failed break in" . Just delayed. Someone shoot some dyno numbers if you think im wrong..

Beauwulf · 12-01-2009, 06:06 PM

The only ting I would add to the normal "vary your speed" is to use the engine to decelerate as much as possible. Using the Tap shift if you have the auto to let the engine slow you down. Heat cycles help alot as well. Do shorter stints (say 100 miles) and take a 15 min break to allow for some cooling of the internals. Do about 6-700 miles like that and you should be pretty much back on track.

SSOOCH · 12-01-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroBAMF28

i mean if your rich go ahead and beat the shit outta it. cuz if u do something dumb and crash it and total it then you can get another. but not all of us are as fortunate as others

I think you missed my sarcasm. I don't beat the s*** out of mine. Never have, never will.

TJ91 · 12-01-2009, 06:33 PM

i thought he was talking about his wife

Anyways i did the same thing as the op. If you read darins thread, i told him about my situation and he said it was too late because its all about seating your rings. Anyways ive been driving her HARD ever since. Who knows, you could always return your car and start all over again.....with an SS

JDP Motorsports · 12-03-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

I sure hope you guys break in your Women different than you guys break in a car. That Darin Guy is wrong. I don't care what anybody says.

"Just Beat the S*** out of it, that's what I do"!!

AMEN!

chappy48 · 12-03-2009, 01:42 AM

At 1600 miles your break in is probably over. Nothing you can do that won't cost a ton money.

12-01-2009, 02:54 PM	#1
MattThomas08 Drives: 2010 Black 1LT/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 4	Failed Break-In Just picked up my 1LT/RS a couple weeks ago and did a pretty terrible break-in on the car. I was an idiot and (somewhat) followed the manual on break-in. I didn't really get on it too many times and, due to work, had to drive it for long drives (5 hours) at around probably 500 miles. After reading the article by Darin Morgan, http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39955, I'm realizing I made a mistake. My question is, what do I do now? I'm at about 1600 miles, haven't had an oil change, and have another 5 hour drive ahead of me (this is the last one I'll be doing, as I've decided I'm keeping my other car as a daily driver and for trips). What do you guys think? I've been looking over the forums for a few weeks and trying to learn from others. This is my first Chevy - I used to have a 94 4.6L Thunderbird and love my new car. This is the only pic I have on this computer, but I'll put some others up later. Thanks for any help you can give. -Matt [IMG]file:///C:/Users/mthomas/Pictures/MT/Car/IMG_0072.JPG[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Users/mthomas/Pictures/MT/Car/IMG_0072.JPG[/IMG]

12-01-2009, 03:53 PM	#4
Toxsan Drives: 2LT/RS Cyber Grey Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NW Houston Posts: 18	Oil change and hard varied speed for sure. Try not to keep it in higher gear the whole time. Sucks for gas but better to not have it at the same rpms for that long. break it in like you wanna drive it hehe. __________________

12-01-2009, 04:56 PM	#5
SSOOCH Camaro SL,UTs Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,357 View My Garage	I sure hope you guys break in your Women different than you guys break in a car. That Darin Guy is wrong. I don't care what anybody says. "Just Beat the S*** out of it, that's what I do"!! __________________

12-01-2009, 05:57 PM	#9
Mr Smith Born again Hot Rodder Drives: Black 1SS/RS LS3 M6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cartoon City, Nevada Posts: 680 View My Garage	Dont think theres any such thing as a "failed break in" . Just delayed. Someone shoot some dyno numbers if you think im wrong.. __________________ Black 1SS RS MT: Powder Coated Bow Ties, Blacked out windows, Debadged, 4 Pack gauge cluster. Pure perfection.

12-01-2009, 06:06 PM	#10
Beauwulf Drives: '10 LT RS A6 & '04 Acura RSX Type S Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,537	The only ting I would add to the normal "vary your speed" is to use the engine to decelerate as much as possible. Using the Tap shift if you have the auto to let the engine slow you down. Heat cycles help alot as well. Do shorter stints (say 100 miles) and take a 15 min break to allow for some cooling of the internals. Do about 6-700 miles like that and you should be pretty much back on track. __________________

12-01-2009, 03:06 PM	#2
tradosaurus Account Suspended Drives: 2010 F150 Lariat, Candy Red Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,279	Hey, nice car. If it was me I would first change the oil and oil filter. Then I would do a hard break-in for 500 miles. There is no science to the hard break-in. My personal preference is to get to the speed limit as fast as possible (when not driving in city traffic). Find some on ramps to the interstate and let it rip. Change the oil and oil filter again. Then continue to enjoy your driving experience.

12-01-2009, 06:33 PM	#12
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,035	i thought he was talking about his wife Anyways i did the same thing as the op. If you read darins thread, i told him about my situation and he said it was too late because its all about seating your rings. Anyways ive been driving her HARD ever since. Who knows, you could always return your car and start all over again.....with an SS

12-03-2009, 01:42 AM	#14
chappy48 Drives: 2010 Camaro Auto 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 878	At 1600 miles your break in is probably over. Nothing you can do that won't cost a ton money.

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