Break-in Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Break-in Question
I have a TPW of 10/16 
and am starting to wonder about how to break it in. I don't want this to turn into a "drive it like you stole it" vs. "baby it" thread.
I just want to know, when you talk about varying the speed, do you mean +/- 10 miles an hour? I was thinking of taking a couple little (100 mi.) jaunts using the feeder roads about 30% of the time to vary the speed. Do you think that would be good for the 1st 500? Or is bouncing between 55 and 80 the right idea?
and am starting to wonder about how to break it in. I don't want this to turn into a "drive it like you stole it" vs. "baby it" thread.I just want to know, when you talk about varying the speed, do you mean +/- 10 miles an hour? I was thinking of taking a couple little (100 mi.) jaunts using the feeder roads about 30% of the time to vary the speed. Do you think that would be good for the 1st 500? Or is bouncing between 55 and 80 the right idea?
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
Congrats on the new Vette. I just picked mine up last Friday at NCM and put 1800 miles getting back to Arizona. I asked them at the factory and again at the museum how to break in those first 500.. They said the main thing was to not stay at a consistent speed. Keep varying the speed and not do any power acceleration either. I took some back roads from Bowling Green to Nashville and varied the speed from 45 to 60. Once I hit highway 40 west I kept the speed between 50 and 65. Being passed by Winabago's and Volkswagon beetles was not one of the more pleasent memories of that portion. The main point they reiterated, was DO NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL for the first 500. I must have been told that 5 or 6 times in my walk through.
It was a tough thing to do. but once I hit five zero zero on the odometer, the beast inside was set free and even more enjoyable having been so delibrate in the previous 500.
What a joy and trill this car is to drive.
It was a tough thing to do. but once I hit five zero zero on the odometer, the beast inside was set free and even more enjoyable having been so delibrate in the previous 500.
What a joy and trill this car is to drive.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 20,166
Likes: 2
From: Spacecoast Florida
Bought my '06 Vert in Atlanta. Immediately drove it 520 miles back to Greensboro. manual says "not over 55". Hell.... show me somebody going 55 on I-85 thru Charlotte and I'll show you somebody who just OD'd on Prozac...
The best post I've seen on this was that you "heat/cool cycle" the drivetrain. Get it hot and let 'er cool.. Change gears often with some high RPM downshifts once everything is warmed up.
This will "work harden" the rings and gear teeth. Based on my tribology (study of friction) classes in college I believe this.
Dont need to drive it like you stole it. Just ride her hard for a short sprint and put her up wet.. I've got 1500 miles so far and I feel it getting stronger...
The best post I've seen on this was that you "heat/cool cycle" the drivetrain. Get it hot and let 'er cool.. Change gears often with some high RPM downshifts once everything is warmed up.
This will "work harden" the rings and gear teeth. Based on my tribology (study of friction) classes in college I believe this.
Dont need to drive it like you stole it. Just ride her hard for a short sprint and put her up wet.. I've got 1500 miles so far and I feel it getting stronger...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
Just stay off the cruise control and you'll automatically vary the speed sufficiently. I drove my first 300 miles on the freeway getting it home from the dealer and drove between 60 and 65 with a few brief visits to 55 and 70. You just want to avoid long stints at exactly the same speed, i.e., no cruise control. 
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Portland Area OR
Yep, Heat and Cool
While there is much controversy about just about everything else, the heat and cool model seems to hold up pretty well.
Just varying the speed is certainly enough, but if you are a compulsive over achiever, then stopping every now and then and shutting the engine down might get you those few extra "points". It would be best to give the drive train time to transition if you are travelling at highway speeds (i.e. don't just pull off and instantly shut it down).
Have fun.
Just varying the speed is certainly enough, but if you are a compulsive over achiever, then stopping every now and then and shutting the engine down might get you those few extra "points". It would be best to give the drive train time to transition if you are travelling at highway speeds (i.e. don't just pull off and instantly shut it down).
Have fun.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
St. Jude Donor '06
I have an '07 too and it just keeps getting stronger. I do drive mine pretty hard and I didn't pay much attention to the under 55 rule but I was careful to vary the speed for the first 500 miles.
This is my daily driver and it's now well broken in and I have to say the car uses no oil at all & just keeps getting stronger and more responsive.
I think these cars tend to fit the driver. If this is a week end car that's babied, then there's nothing wrong with breaking it in slowly.
Good Luck
Al
This is my daily driver and it's now well broken in and I have to say the car uses no oil at all & just keeps getting stronger and more responsive.
I think these cars tend to fit the driver. If this is a week end car that's babied, then there's nothing wrong with breaking it in slowly.
Good Luck
Al