New C5 with questions:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Memphis CT
New C5 with questions:
I picked up my 03’ Torch Red with Black Top Roadster yesterday and have a few questions. Since the car was delivered over 30 miles to the dealership that I purchased it from and they forgot to include the owners’ manual, what do I need to know about driving the car/breaking it in now?
I read the post below about engine break-in, it was informative. However do they really recommend keeping it under 55 for the first 500? When I bought my Harley years ago, it was keep it below 55 for the first 50, then below 65 for the first 500 while varying the RPM’s. I was told I could go over 65 after the first 50, but not to hold it at any one speed and it was only for a short “burst”.
I was also told by a GM mechanic that the Mobil 1 should be replaced until the piston and rings seat; otherwise it will burn a lot of oil.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I read the post below about engine break-in, it was informative. However do they really recommend keeping it under 55 for the first 500? When I bought my Harley years ago, it was keep it below 55 for the first 50, then below 65 for the first 500 while varying the RPM’s. I was told I could go over 65 after the first 50, but not to hold it at any one speed and it was only for a short “burst”.
I was also told by a GM mechanic that the Mobil 1 should be replaced until the piston and rings seat; otherwise it will burn a lot of oil.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Elmhurst IL
Re: New C5 with questions: (CT Vette)
Two points:
1) No excuse for not having the owners manual on a new (or used) C5. It includes a nice leather case with a pen, penlight, post-it notes and a video. Go get that owners manual!
2) Regarding Break-in the manual reads(approximately): a)Keep your speed at 55 or below for the first 500 (very difficult). b) Don't drive at any one speed (fast or slow) for the first 500 miles (not so difficult) c)Don't make full throttle starts for teh first 500(almost impossible). and d) Avoid hard stops to let the brake linings brake in.
As far as lubrication goes, you will get as many opinions as responses here. You will hear about Redline, Royal Purple, Amsoil, 3000 miles, 7500 miles, etc, etc, etc.
There may be some logic to leaving original factory fill in the crankcase for some period of time in order to facilitate proper seating and break-in. Personally, I change mine about every 2500-3000 because it is not a daily driver and there may be some acid formations after many months of sitting after short drives. But frankly, the engineers at GM are pretty bright for the most part, and you likely would do your engine no harm by follwing the oil life instructions on your DIC (which will direct you to change the oil about every 7500 unless you beat the crap out of it_.
As always, my $0.02
1) No excuse for not having the owners manual on a new (or used) C5. It includes a nice leather case with a pen, penlight, post-it notes and a video. Go get that owners manual!
2) Regarding Break-in the manual reads(approximately): a)Keep your speed at 55 or below for the first 500 (very difficult). b) Don't drive at any one speed (fast or slow) for the first 500 miles (not so difficult) c)Don't make full throttle starts for teh first 500(almost impossible). and d) Avoid hard stops to let the brake linings brake in.
As far as lubrication goes, you will get as many opinions as responses here. You will hear about Redline, Royal Purple, Amsoil, 3000 miles, 7500 miles, etc, etc, etc.
There may be some logic to leaving original factory fill in the crankcase for some period of time in order to facilitate proper seating and break-in. Personally, I change mine about every 2500-3000 because it is not a daily driver and there may be some acid formations after many months of sitting after short drives. But frankly, the engineers at GM are pretty bright for the most part, and you likely would do your engine no harm by follwing the oil life instructions on your DIC (which will direct you to change the oil about every 7500 unless you beat the crap out of it_.
As always, my $0.02
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Memphis CT
Re: New C5 with questions: (MagRed2002)
Two points:
2) Regarding Break-in the manual reads(approximately): a)Keep your speed at 55 or below for the first 500 (very difficult). b) Don't drive at any one speed (fast or slow) for the first 500 miles (not so difficult) c)Don't make full throttle starts for teh first 500(almost impossible). and d) Avoid hard stops to let the brake linings brake in.
Personally, I change mine about every 2500-3000 because it is not a daily driver and there may be some acid formations after many months of sitting after short drives.
As always, my $0.02
2) Regarding Break-in the manual reads(approximately): a)Keep your speed at 55 or below for the first 500 (very difficult). b) Don't drive at any one speed (fast or slow) for the first 500 miles (not so difficult) c)Don't make full throttle starts for teh first 500(almost impossible). and d) Avoid hard stops to let the brake linings brake in.
Personally, I change mine about every 2500-3000 because it is not a daily driver and there may be some acid formations after many months of sitting after short drives.
As always, my $0.02
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Re: New C5 with questions: (CT Vette)
First of all, if the dealer doesn't immediately take an owners manual from another car and give to you, call Chevy's 800 number and tell them you want one immediately. Let me know if neither of these work. Regarding break-in use common sense. Some people say drive it slow for 300 to 500 miles and others say the faster you run 'em at first the faster they'll go. My opinion is to use common sense and don't run it hard for the first 300 to 500 miles. I usually change oil the first time at about 3,000 mi. That's just what I do.
Regards,
LWH
Regards,
LWH
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: New C5 with questions: (CT Vette)
CT Vette
Welcome to the forum. I agree with MAGRED2002. I also live in CT (Groton) and purchased my 02 ZO6 over the internet. The wife and I flew to Texas and drove her home. The trip was fantastic!! The first 100-200 miles she was very tight and I followed the recommended breakin guide lines. I could not do 55 mpg,(WAY TOO SLOW!!) but stayed between 60 and 70. The average fuel mileage was around 16 mpg. At 300-500 miles she started to loosen up, average MPG 20. I kicked it up to 70-80 MPH. At 800 miles and a full tank of gas she jumped right up to 30 mpg. It really started to run smooth and I felt confident about it being broken in. At about about 850 miles she had her first KILL as I roasted a new GT Mustang. I droped it into 3rd and ran it up to 140 (as my wife was beating my arm into bruises, telling me to slow down!!! :D ) and left the GT so far behind that it took him forever to catch back up!!!
I would say reasonable driving for the first 800-1000 miles will make it ready to ROCK!!! :thumbs: Keep her under 70 and below 5000 rpm for the first 500 miles and you will break her in right!!!.
Bill C
Welcome to the forum. I agree with MAGRED2002. I also live in CT (Groton) and purchased my 02 ZO6 over the internet. The wife and I flew to Texas and drove her home. The trip was fantastic!! The first 100-200 miles she was very tight and I followed the recommended breakin guide lines. I could not do 55 mpg,(WAY TOO SLOW!!) but stayed between 60 and 70. The average fuel mileage was around 16 mpg. At 300-500 miles she started to loosen up, average MPG 20. I kicked it up to 70-80 MPH. At 800 miles and a full tank of gas she jumped right up to 30 mpg. It really started to run smooth and I felt confident about it being broken in. At about about 850 miles she had her first KILL as I roasted a new GT Mustang. I droped it into 3rd and ran it up to 140 (as my wife was beating my arm into bruises, telling me to slow down!!! :D ) and left the GT so far behind that it took him forever to catch back up!!!
I would say reasonable driving for the first 800-1000 miles will make it ready to ROCK!!! :thumbs: Keep her under 70 and below 5000 rpm for the first 500 miles and you will break her in right!!!.
Bill C
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1
From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Re: New C5 with questions: (CT Vette)
The owner's manual is required to be given to the customer on all new car deliveries, it is actually issued a part number, and it is a FEDERAL requirement it must be inside the vehicle when it is shipped from the factory. I know of one GM plant that could not ship cars for three days due to a mixup on the plant receiving the required owner's manuals to be inserted into the cars.
Call the dealer and tell them to FedEx one to you today, if they don't coorperate, let the dealer know that if you receive a JD Powers survey, you will hit him hard, same with a GM follow-up survey. Dealers do not like this. If that fails to get the dealer off his butt, call the Customer's Help line and file a complaint. Then file a complaint with the state agency that oversees dealers.
The '03 came with a printed book and a VHS tape.
Call the dealer and tell them to FedEx one to you today, if they don't coorperate, let the dealer know that if you receive a JD Powers survey, you will hit him hard, same with a GM follow-up survey. Dealers do not like this. If that fails to get the dealer off his butt, call the Customer's Help line and file a complaint. Then file a complaint with the state agency that oversees dealers.
The '03 came with a printed book and a VHS tape.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Memphis CT
Re: New C5 with questions: (lwh)
Thanks all, I do have the owner's manual and video. I was just looking for some quick information not knowing when I would receive the owner's manual.
Working 70 miles away 6 days a week, it's hard to get some things done!
4 Days Old and 56 Miles - Damn, where are those street sweepers!
Working 70 miles away 6 days a week, it's hard to get some things done!
4 Days Old and 56 Miles - Damn, where are those street sweepers!