[Z06] break in period
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: FARMINGTON NM
break in period
the 500 mile break in period is hard to obey. The manuel says to try to limit speed to 55 mph. I understand not running 1/4 miles, hitting the rev limiter, and excessive breaking. why would mph matter? I'd think rpm would matter more than speed. What do you think?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Cumberland RI
Re: break in period (ER VETTE)
Don;t forget, your braking in the tranny and diff as well (tires too). I know it's hard!! Just get through it then let the fun begin.
I do think 55 is low. My M3 said < 100mph for the first 1200 miles.
:cheers:
I do think 55 is low. My M3 said < 100mph for the first 1200 miles.
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 421
From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL
Re: break in period (sirchman)
That 55 mph limit is simply unrealistic. In 6th gear, you'd be turning about 1800 rpm or so, and that kind of "babying" isn't necessary.
ER VETTE, it sounds like you have the right concept....don't abuse it during break in, but don't baby it either. Progressively loading and unloading the whole drivetrain, throughout the mph and rpm ranges, is the key to a good break in. On the gas, off the gas, brief bursts of throttle, back off, cruise, throttle again, etc etc etc.
If this sounds like "around town" driving (meaning no extremes like sitting in gridlock or blasting on an interstate) , you've got the right idea.
ER VETTE, it sounds like you have the right concept....don't abuse it during break in, but don't baby it either. Progressively loading and unloading the whole drivetrain, throughout the mph and rpm ranges, is the key to a good break in. On the gas, off the gas, brief bursts of throttle, back off, cruise, throttle again, etc etc etc.
If this sounds like "around town" driving (meaning no extremes like sitting in gridlock or blasting on an interstate) , you've got the right idea.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,270
Re: break in period (bpvette)
The 55 MPH "limit" in the owner's manual is unecessary and unrealistic. Just run with the flow of traffic. I'd also recommend against using sixth gear during normal cruising during the breakin period as this will load up the rings with more gas pressure than fifth. The point of the breakin is to keep ring loading well below maximum to allow the surfaces to "wear in" and seat for maximum ring sealing.
The same applies to the brakes, clutch, and gears in the drivetrain, especially the hypoid final drive. During the first 500 miles just drive the car "normally" with the flow of traffic, avoid WOT, and vary the speed and load as much as possible without demanding high torque at low engine speeds.
Duke
The same applies to the brakes, clutch, and gears in the drivetrain, especially the hypoid final drive. During the first 500 miles just drive the car "normally" with the flow of traffic, avoid WOT, and vary the speed and load as much as possible without demanding high torque at low engine speeds.
Duke
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs FL
Re: break in period (SWCDuke)
The 55 MPH "limit" in the owner's manual is unecessary and unrealistic. Just run with the flow of traffic. I'd also recommend against using sixth gear during normal cruising during the breakin period as this will load up the rings with more gas pressure than fifth. The point of the breakin is to keep ring loading well below maximum to allow the surfaces to "wear in" and seat for maximum ring sealing.
The same applies to the brakes, clutch, and gears in the drivetrain, especially the hypoid final drive. During the first 500 miles just drive the car "normally" with the flow of traffic, avoid WOT, and vary the speed and load as much as possible without demanding high torque at low engine speeds.
Duke
The same applies to the brakes, clutch, and gears in the drivetrain, especially the hypoid final drive. During the first 500 miles just drive the car "normally" with the flow of traffic, avoid WOT, and vary the speed and load as much as possible without demanding high torque at low engine speeds.
Duke
The only other thing I would add is that 500 miles is not a magic number. I would start nice and easy and slowly increase engine load and throttle openings.In other words, go easiest during the first 200 miles and slowly build so that you are not going all out until closer to 1000 miles. I would then (actually did) change the oil at 1000 miles and stay away from 100+mph runs, dyno pulls or drag strip launches until after the first oil change (at 1000 miles). Just my two cents.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 421
From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL
Re: break in period (Bertrand)
Duke and Bertrand have summed it up nicely....progressive "pushing", little by little, does the trick. And yes, 500 miles is not some holy number where you should go buckwild at 501. To me, it means that you've passed the point where you have to worry about "having a little fun, prudently". By 800 miles, I was hitting the fuel shutoff in 1st and 2nd every once in a while. At 1100 miles, I made a 155 mph run in 5th. At the while, I was keeping an eye on old temps. At first, the oil would routinely get to 245 degrees while running easy. But now, I've have to flog it to see 235. That indicates to me that friction is dropping.
My Z06, with 1300 miles, has used zero oil since consuming a half quart during the first 300-400 miles.
And again , don't forget about your poor brakes........they need seasoning and heat cycling and careful cool-down a lot more than that bulletproof LS6 does!!!
My Z06, with 1300 miles, has used zero oil since consuming a half quart during the first 300-400 miles.
And again , don't forget about your poor brakes........they need seasoning and heat cycling and careful cool-down a lot more than that bulletproof LS6 does!!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,555
Likes: 9
From: Indiana
Re: break in period (Bertrand)
The only other thing I would add is that 500 miles is not a magic number. I would start nice and easy and slowly increase engine load and throttle openings.
The whole idea is simply to take it easy at first and gradually push the car harder until you're up to full performance. Occasionally something fails on a new car, and you're better off if it happens at a moderate speed than while redlining in 4th ... A smooth and methodical breakin probably will result in a car with less drivetrain noise than one which was driven hard right out of the box.
