Engine break-in question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jgentry · 05-13-2011, 10:51 PM

The manual says to not drive long periods of time at the same speed. I have about 800 miles on my camaro (SS) and need to drive about 100 miles one way (returning later in the evening) tomorrow. Most of the drive is 65 mph. I was planning on setting the cruise and enjoying the drive. Will this cause any damage?

1BADLS3 · 05-13-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgentry

The manual says to not drive long periods of time at the same speed. I have about 800 miles on my camaro (SS) and need to drive about 100 miles one way (returning later in the evening) tomorrow. Most of the drive is 65 mph. I was planning on setting the cruise and enjoying the drive. Will this cause any damage?

It won't cause damage, but won't provide optimal conditions to continue seating the rings. I wouldn't set the cruise, but rather drive with the flow of traffic which usually has an ebb and flow. Mix up your speed a little bit and you'll be fine.

I can't remember the break-in period, but isn't it 500 miles? Or is it 1000?

jgentry · 05-13-2011, 11:00 PM

The highway I'm driving has very little traffic but I'll see what I can do. Break-in is around 1500 I think.

1BADLS3 · 05-13-2011, 11:04 PM

No worries either way. I've broken in cars by flogging the ever-living **** out of them, and also by babying them for the recommended period. Neither of those methods seem to have a noticeable difference on performance or longevity.

What I mean by mixing up your speed is, cruise a few miles under, then do the speed limit, maybe a few over if you're daring, then a few under. Keep yourself and the car entertained. But in the long run it shouldn't really matter unless you're obsessed with following the recommended procedure by the book's standards.

Padre · 05-13-2011, 11:10 PM

Don't cruise, as has been said, but just switch up gears to vary speed. That way you maintain speed but vary load on the motor, which is what the break-in needs.

No worries.

Padre

Dizzy82 · 05-13-2011, 11:34 PM

You want to vary your RPMs, don't hold at a constant level for extended periods of time. Manual or Auto? Either or, vary your speed and change gears to avoid being in an RPM range for too long. Absolutely no cruise control. Have a little fun, but don't redline it.

jgentry · 05-13-2011, 11:36 PM

Manual. I've been keeping it under 4000 rpm anyway.

rberns · 05-14-2011, 02:31 AM

only 1500 mile for a break in? i was thinking it would be like 3 to 4 thousdand. Once I get back home and get my car, I am taking a trip to be in a parade with my camaro and my dads challenger. It's a 200 mile round trip plus the small parade, so I am wondering how this will work with my break in time.

evan · 05-14-2011, 08:56 AM

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm is what tips I used to break in. My camaro ran better every day.

SSDan · 05-14-2011, 09:50 AM

Please don't take this as sarcasm - just drive the car and enjoy the nice trip. I love taking mine for long road trips. Very nice cruising car. If your right foot gets a little tired - use the cruise control thats what it for. Use it - just don't set it a 65 and leave it for 10 - 15 minutes constant. Use the steering wheel button to bump the speed up and down a few MPH while in cruise mode if you'd like.

Bottom line - modern engines are engineered to pretty tough standards and tolerances - including the LS3. Its not fragile and it won't seize up if you shift at overr 4K on the occasion or leave it at a certain PRPM for a little while.

Now go and drive that 100 miles with a smile - it'll be fun

05-13-2011, 10:51 PM	#1
jgentry Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS CGM Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 28	Engine break-in question The manual says to not drive long periods of time at the same speed. I have about 800 miles on my camaro (SS) and need to drive about 100 miles one way (returning later in the evening) tomorrow. Most of the drive is 65 mph. I was planning on setting the cruise and enjoying the drive. Will this cause any damage?

05-13-2011, 11:10 PM	#5
Padre Only drives on Sundays Drives: '16 2SS A8 NPP MRC NGray Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 2,500 View My Garage	Don't cruise, as has been said, but just switch up gears to vary speed. That way you maintain speed but vary load on the motor, which is what the break-in needs. No worries. Padre __________________ OLD HOTNESS: The "Heretic": '11 2SS/RS L99 A6 Black/Inferno. Build Journal, Videos D1SC GT9 JBA-LT = 720/680 \| 10.330 @ 133.61, 1.546 sixty... Camaro King at ECS V, Darlington. NEW HOTNESS: '16 2SS A8 NPP MRC. Bone Stock, 1/8th: 8.051 @ 89.44, 1.919

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05-13-2011, 11:00 PM	#3
jgentry Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS CGM Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 28	The highway I'm driving has very little traffic but I'll see what I can do. Break-in is around 1500 I think.

05-13-2011, 11:04 PM	#4
1BADLS3 Drives: Sold: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: United States Posts: 1,896	No worries either way. I've broken in cars by flogging the ever-living **** out of them, and also by babying them for the recommended period. Neither of those methods seem to have a noticeable difference on performance or longevity. What I mean by mixing up your speed is, cruise a few miles under, then do the speed limit, maybe a few over if you're daring, then a few under. Keep yourself and the car entertained. But in the long run it shouldn't really matter unless you're obsessed with following the recommended procedure by the book's standards.

05-13-2011, 11:34 PM	#6
Dizzy82 Drives: 2011 1LT/RS A6 RJT SuperCharged Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: 87114 Posts: 3,501 View My Garage	You want to vary your RPMs, don't hold at a constant level for extended periods of time. Manual or Auto? Either or, vary your speed and change gears to avoid being in an RPM range for too long. Absolutely no cruise control. Have a little fun, but don't redline it.

05-13-2011, 11:36 PM	#7
jgentry Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS CGM Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 28	Manual. I've been keeping it under 4000 rpm anyway.

05-14-2011, 02:31 AM	#8
rberns Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US Posts: 3,291 View My Garage	only 1500 mile for a break in? i was thinking it would be like 3 to 4 thousdand. Once I get back home and get my car, I am taking a trip to be in a parade with my camaro and my dads challenger. It's a 200 mile round trip plus the small parade, so I am wondering how this will work with my break in time.

05-14-2011, 08:56 AM	#9
evan ready... Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 765 View My Garage	http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm is what tips I used to break in. My camaro ran better every day.

05-14-2011, 09:50 AM	#10
SSDan Drives: 2016 1SS 6MT NPP Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lake Murray, SC Posts: 2,261 View My Garage	Please don't take this as sarcasm - just drive the car and enjoy the nice trip. I love taking mine for long road trips. Very nice cruising car. If your right foot gets a little tired - use the cruise control thats what it for. Use it - just don't set it a 65 and leave it for 10 - 15 minutes constant. Use the steering wheel button to bump the speed up and down a few MPH while in cruise mode if you'd like. Bottom line - modern engines are engineered to pretty tough standards and tolerances - including the LS3. Its not fragile and it won't seize up if you shift at overr 4K on the occasion or leave it at a certain PRPM for a little while. Now go and drive that 100 miles with a smile - it'll be fun