jim spitzer

Hey Guys, This is my 3rd corvette 2 used but this is my first new one. Is there any special way to do the break in on the motor? base model with 8 speed auto.

mpuzach

Refer to page 174 of your owner's manual. You'll find all of the straight scoop there.

SASprof

Vary the revs continuously. Max out the revs, within the recommended limits. Easy on the brakes.

dvilin

Good advice.

Foosh

Yes, varying the revs' continuously within the allowed break-in rpm range is very important. Since you have an A8, while freeway cruising, use the paddles to frequently go up and down the rpm range. If you leave it in auto-mode, it'll be running most of the time slightly above idle in 7th and 8th gear.

Steve_R

Huh? What does that have to do with engine break in?

As has been posted already just read and follow the instructions in the Owner's Manual.

Foosh

He did say "break-in."

plasboy

Obviously nothing directly but other systems on the car need break in too. Brakes, tires, cruise control, transmission and rear end all need a break in period.

Sandi587

We were told when we picked up ours to use the A8 in manual mode to keep it from going to 4 cylinder mode. He said it wasn't in the owners manual but that's what their mechanic recommended.

Foosh

Agreed, and that makes good sense.

Steve_R

No, they don't.

Foosh

From Section 9-18 (New Vehicle Break-in) of my 2014 owner's manual:

Follow these recommended guidelines for the first 1500 mi of driving this vehicle. Parts have a break-in period and performance will be better in the long run.

For the first 200 miles:

- To break in new tires drive at moderate speeds and avoid hard cornering for the first 200 mi

- New brake linings also need a break-in period. Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 mi. This is recommended every time brake linings are replaced.

For the first 500 miles:

- Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.

- Do not exceed 4000 rpm.

- Avoid driving at any one constant speed, fast or slow, including the use of cruise control.

- Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle when the engine speed will exceed 4000 rpm.

- Do not let the engine labor. Never lug the engine. With a manual transmission, shift to the next lower gear. This rule applies at all times, not just during the break-in period.

For the first 1500 mi:

- Do not participate in track events, sports driving schools, or similar activities for the first 1500 mi.

- Check engine oil with every refueling and add if necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may be higher than normal during the first 1500 mi.

jim spitzer

Good information, My salesman was a young guy and never even sold a corvette before, In fact mine was the first one he ever drove when he went to go gas it up.
Thats all ok, I like to see the young people try hard to do a good job.

Anyway I will now keep mine in the manual mode. I did it yesterday and was able to get the RPMs up and down. it now has 200 miles on it.
Thanks a lot

djnice

No full throttle starts. I assume means from a dead stop, but you can use full throttle. What do you guys think?


Doesn't redline show as 4500 for the first 500 miles? Keeping under 4000 is really hard to do. Anyone bump past accidently?

Rooster OG

Just do your best to follow the guidelines and don't stress about it. Enjoy your new ride!

JerryU

You're reading in what you want! Stay below the recommended ~4000 rpm for at least 500 miles! Helps engine , trans, differential gears etc.

All the valve springs won't break if you accidentally go over - but one might!!

Take a nice long drive, vary the rpm, stay out of 4 cylinder mode by using paddles and you'll be at 500 miles before you know it! Worse thing would be to baby the car with 2 mile trips and many starts going to the local store! Be sure to get the engine oil hot! FWIW

PS: We have fun on the Forum, so don't take the following comment seriously, BUT your last post sounds like one of my grand-kids asking if it would be OK to do something they already did! Keep in mind GM records anything that happens with the engine. If you go over the recommended rpm during break-in, they will void any engine warranty for the life of the car! Just kidding!

The system Does record engine rpm and if you exceed max rpm it will record and warranty may well be void. Only can happen with manual shifters like mine, downshifting to a lower gear that puts it past redline. Can't do that with an automatic since the computer is smarter than some of us!

speedlink

driver9

At odds with the Corvette owner's manual, this GM document re engine break in for LS3's purchased out of the crate says to

6) Warm it up
7) In the first 30 miles drive it at varying loads and conditions without wide open throttle or sustained high RPM accelerations.
8) Run 5 or 6 medium throttle (50%) accelerations to about 4000 rpm and back to idle (0% throttle) in gear.
9) Run 2 or 3 hard throttle (100%) accelerations to about 4000 rpm and back to idle (0% throttle) in gear.
10) Change the oil

Read the rest of the document for yourself. Apologies for its fuzzy condition. That's the way I found it. It's helpful to magnify it in an image viewer for best reading.

mksz51

Just drive it like a "normal" car - and don't beat on it. Don't use cruise control. It's that easy.

The_Gretz

I recently spoke to a GM engineer who has extremely in-depth knowledge of the LT1 and LT4 and asked him about break-in. His advice was to drive the cars reasonably for the first 500 miles and make sure the engine was warmed up before getting on the throttle. He said there was no reason not to have some fun and get on it a little at stop lights. He suggested changing the oil at 500-600 miles regardless of dry/wet sump and then not again until the recommended interval or the car's computer told you to change it. After the oil change, go have some fun!