Since I'm getting my 03' Z tomorrow I need to decide how I'm going to break her in. Clearly every manufacturer says take it easy for 500 miles or so. However, some of you have said your cars perform better and have no problems when you drive it normal to aggressive at the outset.

I find it hard to believe the manufacturers say what they say for no reason and that the opposite is really better. What is the general thought on this?

 

I've seen Z06s broken in soft and hard that both perform great. I honestly don't know what to tell you. :)

 

Broke mine in soft, but really don't know. I have heard arguments on both sides. :cheers:

 

Bought mine two weeks ago or so, have 1000 miles. I broke it in very gently for the first 500, minimal highway (and varied speed a lot, no lugging in 6th), no lugging around town if I could help it, mainly kept varying speed between 2000 and 3000 to 3500, didn't even go past 1/3 throttle the first 100 miles (boy was that hard). I progressively started dipping in a little more after 200 miles, but still not past half throttle, and not past 4500 RPMs. I did a little running up to 4500 and engine braking in 2nd gear at around 400. Avoid getting on it in the higher gears or up hills, that builds up a lot of heat.

Once I hit 500 I started giving it WOT in 1/2/3, but not redlining it (OK, maybe just a couple of times), and didn't bring it past 100 mph in 4th (didn't really floor it much in the higher gears).

At 900 or so changed the oil and filter. The oil looked brand new, no residue on the oil plug either. The car is good to go and now I am driving it fast, and it rocks.

Some of the reasoning to go slow during breakin is that the engine and is tight and if you are getting on it from the start it won't seat the rings correctly and burn oil a lot (it might not really hurt performance but it will affect durability in the long run). Also the drivetrain is tight so you want to let it settle in gently for a bit as well. I've done this style of breakin to hard core street bikes and other fast cars, and my bikes and cars have always run well.

One other thing - get it up on a lift after a few hundred miles and check to see if any of the CV joint covers or other parts of the differential are leaking - more than a few people have had this problem (see recent thread on leaking), and you don't want to let this go. One of the reasons I change the old/filter at 500 to 1000 miles is just to get under the car and check things out. I have a leaking CV cover and the dealer just ordered the part and will fix next week, so I have to baby the car a bit (actually I will probably park it tonight) until that gets fixed.

I think the myth of break it in hard to make it run strong is just that, a myth. After breakin drive it hard and it will rock and roll. Another thing I have heard is that if you go easy and let the gears and drivetrain settle in they'll be quieter in the long run too. I like hearing the engine and exhaust (what a beautiful sound!), not whining and clunking...

Anyway, I think this is your second Z06, right? So you probably know more than I do! Just spreading the good wisdom I've heard from tuners that make sense.

-- Gordie

Edit -- I confused you with someone else who is on their second Z06, sorry - sounds like it's your first. Also - congratulations, awesome car!



[Modified by jazzman, 1:34 AM 8/24/2002]

 

If you break it in hard, you aren't really breaking it in. If you listen to rational for having a break in, it is clear it shouldn't be hard.

 

Take is easy the first 500 miles. This is not to have items wear in, it is just in case something is not correct for the factory. Better to break at slow speeds vs high.