Alright, I think I figured out how I'm going to break this thing in!

[TotallyDavis]

When my 2012 arrives in a month, I've read all the threads and decided the best way to break it in. Let me know if you see any glaring errors here. I do actually have a bit of a problem in that it's an automatic, so not using engine deceleration will be tough.

It's a 2LT so it (thankfully) comes with standard oil: good.

I'll let it warm up at the dealer's lot for a few minutes, then take it for about 3-5 miles of easy driving, and then it's time to open it up!

There's a 60 mile stretch between my town and the next where I will accelerate up to 75 in Sport mode (highest I can do without becoming a ticket magnet) and then slow down to about 20 before opening it up again.

The only problem is how to slow down. I understand that 'engine deceleration' is bad, or letting the engine cycle down through the gears, but I also understand that simply coasting in an automatic will be the same thing. But I also read that it's not good to be rough on the new brakes either! So what a problem.

The perfect solution is to be totally ballsy and just shift to Neutral, but I just don't see myself taking the risk of accidentally hitting Reverse and obliterating my transmission on the first day of owning it.

So I suppose I'll just have to take it out on the brakes, using them to quickly slow back to 20 between each run.

Then once I'm in the next big city (after 60 miles) I'll get a non-synthetic oil change and go see a movie to let the engine cool.

Then it's 450 miles of the most acceleration I can put on the engine in Sport mode (over the next week or so obviously), followed by the car's first fully synthetic oil change and the transition to being driven in a semi-normal manner!

What do you think?

[SS-RS_clone]

I think driving it "normally" will be fine....

[GnyaTek]

Try not to overthink it.

I was going through the whole "plan it all out for the first many miles" break in plan as well initially. Then realized it was pretty silly.

I think that one of the best suggestions that I have seen on the many threads here related to this is: Don't set the cruise control for the first XXX miles (normally 1500ish) and vary your speeds. I also think that putting decent load on the engine by going through moderate to moderately heavy accelerations is a good thing (this being different from the "drive it like you stole it" method which tends toward more abuse than the concept of alternating heat and cool strains on the engine and seals).

I ended up just driving it and enjoying it, alternating between 5-10 MPH below speed limits to 5-10 over repeatedly.

If folks are truly concerned a bunch about shifting an auto into reverse accidentally instead of just into neutral ... I STRONGLY DISRECOMMEND doing anything other than driving it normally .... ever .... and I truly mean that.

[REDXIIIDave]

I think you are being overly careful. Newer engines don't require that. Just don't rev it out to redline every time, and you should be good. I don't have any experience with the V6, but my V8 has not been babied, and it just keeps getting better. I'm expecting full power after about 1500 miles ( probably will take another 2 months or so - I've had it for 67 days, and it has 1000 miles, 500 were on it when I bought it).

[REDXIIIDave]

Originally Posted by GnyaTek

Try not to overthink it.

I was going through the whole "plan it all out for the first many miles" break in plan as well initially. Then realized it was pretty silly.

I think that one of the best suggestions that I have seen on the many threads here related to this is: Don't set the cruise control for the first XXX miles (normally 1500ish) and vary your speeds. I also think that putting decent load on the engine by going through moderate to moderately heavy accelerations is a good thing (this being different from the "drive it like you stole it" method which tends toward more abuse than the concept of alternating heat and cool strains on the engine and seals).

I ended up just driving it and enjoying it, alternating between 5-10 MPH below speed limits to 5-10 over repeatedly.

If folks are truly concerned a bunch about shifting an auto into reverse accidentally instead of just into neutral ... I STRONGLY DISRECOMMEND doing anything other than driving it normally .... ever .... and I truly mean that.

Is "disrecommend" even a word?

[Camaro_krazee]

(after 60 miles) I'll get a non-synthetic oil change

is this true? an almost immediate oil change?

and...

Then it's 450 miles of the most acceleration I can put on the engine in Sport mode (over the next week or so obviously), followed by the car's first fully synthetic oil change

and again, so soon?

I think I will be reading the owners manual FIRST THING with this new car! Things sure sound different for breaking it in.

[Modern07]

Slightly different to my "break-in" process I'll give you that

I simply got the keys, drove it a few miles normally and then I've hammered it since

No oil changes yet either - 8,000 miles in - I'll change the oil when the computer says to

I fully believe that the days of having to "nanny" a new car over the first 500 miles are gone.

They go through so many tests before you get you hands on it that your pretty much wasting your time.

The same goes for frequent oil changes - not necessary these days - they wouldn't put the oil life monitor in it if it didn't work - GM don't want the engine to blow anymore than you do, after all, it will cost them to replace it not you.

I know not everyone will agree with me, and you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable, but if you ask me - the best break-in process in 2011 is to simply drive it like you stole it (without breaking the law!)

[The Stig]

I changed my oil when I picked her up from the dealer (free oil change) , I took a look at the pan after the tech had finished and you'd be shocked how much junk came out of that. Also, when decelerating just lay off the gas and slowly apply the break. "Engine decelerating" is more of a problem for manual drivers. As if I were to shift down to 4th and use the gear change as my means of slowing the car down.

[TotallyDavis]

Thanks steiger, I guess I don't necessarily have to hammer the brakes.

And as far as taking such precautions... it's a car you're going to own for many, many years. Is it really that big of a hassle to do a few things out of the ordinary to get it off to a great start?

And a couple of quick oil changes, plus some hard driving, seem to be a minor investment to make sure it will be fantastic for many years to come.

[CamaroKid300]

IMHO, I think you're going overboard.

Just drive it normal... just don't do hard accelerations for the first 500 miles or so (whatever the manual says).... then DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT.

I say don't change the oil until you are done with the 500-1000 mile break in.... and once you change the oil that time don't change again until your preferred mark (3000,5000,7000 miles, ect)


Don't over think it.

[Witwicky]

Or drive it off a cliff Thelma and Louise style. That'll show 'er