Engine break-in procedure?
07-18-2008, 06:12 PM
#22
Race Director
I could follow EVERY ONE of the "guidelines" in first gear. But first gear only would not be a proper break in. The Owners Manual needs to be updated, instead of using phrasing and terminology from the 60's and trying to cover everything from Cobalts to Corvettes with the same words.
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07-18-2008, 07:47 PM
#24
Melting Slicks
I could follow EVERY ONE of the "guidelines" in first gear. But first gear only would not be a proper break in. The Owners Manual needs to be updated, instead of using phrasing and terminology from the 60's and trying to cover everything from Cobalts to Corvettes with the same words.
07-18-2008, 09:16 PM
#26
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Conroe Texas
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CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03,'04,'05,'07,08,'09,'10,’17
I've always wondered about that ? Evidently the ring and pinion need to be babied. I just try to keep it under 2500 rpm and take it easy while keeping speed under 60 mph. There will always be people who take pride in "driving it like they stole it" when new. It's been that way since we argued about how to break in our new C5's. However, you have nothing to lose by following the owner's manual. It was written by the people who built the car.
treating in right 
and at 500 miles 
07-18-2008, 11:04 PM
#29
Tech Contributor
I took the Natchez Trace for the first 450 miles home (except the 65 miles it took to get to the Natchez Trace). I pulled into every historical marker site (there are several) and slowed down enough to shift into first and go through the gears. I also slowed down and shifted into a lower gear every 20 miles or so to vary the RPM.
The speed limit on the Natchez Trace never gets above 50 mph if I remember correctly, so the nice thing about taking it is you don't really have really pissed off people on your bumper just because you are driving 50. My first day on the trace was a Friday. I bet we only saw 7 other cars before hitting Tupelo.
07-19-2008, 12:33 AM
#30
Race Director
I followed the "break in" proceedure. It was fun driving 55 back to Savannah from Atlanta . . . 
07-19-2008, 01:43 AM
#31
Racer
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Location: Mamaroneck New York
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Uh Ohhhhhhhhh
I pick up a new ZR1 on August 25th at the Museum and it's about a thousand miles back to Upstate New York.....Wonder ifn I sdhould take all the back roads back up
