Engine Break In - C7
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 211
From: Marana, Arizona
From the owner's manual
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Follow these recommended
guidelines during the first 2414 km
(1500 mi) of driving this vehicle.
Parts have a break-in period and
performance will be better in the
long run.
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
. To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid hard
cornering for the first 322 km
(200 mi).
. New brake linings also need a
break- in period. Avoid making
hard stops during the first
322 km (200 mi). This is
recommended every time brake
linings are replaced.
For the first 800 km (500 mi):
. Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops.
. Do not exceed 4000 rpm.
. Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
including the use of cruise
control.
. Avoid downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
. Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine. With a
manual transmission, shift to the
next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
For the first 2414 km (1500 mi):
. Do not participate in track
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during the
first 2414 km (1500 mi).
. Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may be
higher than normal during the
first 2414 km (1500 mi).
New Vehicle Break-In
Follow these recommended
guidelines during the first 2414 km
(1500 mi) of driving this vehicle.
Parts have a break-in period and
performance will be better in the
long run.
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
. To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid hard
cornering for the first 322 km
(200 mi).
. New brake linings also need a
break- in period. Avoid making
hard stops during the first
322 km (200 mi). This is
recommended every time brake
linings are replaced.
For the first 800 km (500 mi):
. Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops.
. Do not exceed 4000 rpm.
. Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
including the use of cruise
control.
. Avoid downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
. Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine. With a
manual transmission, shift to the
next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
For the first 2414 km (1500 mi):
. Do not participate in track
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during the
first 2414 km (1500 mi).
. Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may be
higher than normal during the
first 2414 km (1500 mi).
Last edited by VETJAZZ; Oct 18, 2014 at 11:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,477
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Set the cruise all you want, its not about speed, go up and down the top three gears every 10 min each and youll be fine. Someone will come along here and say its the other running gear componrnts that need the speed change, my opin is that is true , but happens normally enuf in driving to not worry about that. Its pretty much all about seating the rings.
Then again, i know automotive engineers that will tell you that on todays engines, unless you drag race them right off the lot, no break in is really necessary.
Then again, i know automotive engineers that will tell you that on todays engines, unless you drag race them right off the lot, no break in is really necessary.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,793
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
My car used some oil, 1/2 quart first 1,200 miles, has stabilized and at 1,900 miles no additional oil was used. (base car, M7) Don't forget to check your oil level at delivery so you have a base line to track oil use from.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
When I picked mine up in Aug in Missouri, the salesman said only to keep it below 3500 RPM the first 500 miles and to row through the top 3 gears periodically. In fact he pointed out(and it was true) that there was a temporary "red line" at the 3500 RPM mark and I saw it disappear as soon as I hit 500 miles. I never used the cruise but the roads were great and the weather perfect for the 800 mile trip home. I really have had no perceived oil loss I can determine. I'm easy on brakes anyway and the trip home was all interstate.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 211
From: Marana, Arizona
My A6, at 2000 rpm, cruises at 95 mph. I drove the 1,800 miles home from the museum over 3 days, no cruise, 1,500-1,800 rpm, no problem. I clicked off the 500 mile mark the first day, and the 1,500 mile mark the 3rd. Currently 6,500 miles with no issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,234
Likes: 4,358
From: Chirper Island
Vary the RPMs and the gears, don't accelerate or brake suddenly (unless you are avoiding a deer or a child, or a dear child), and you will be just fine. Check the oil at every fuel stop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 4,144
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
What they told me is to not put the car in Cruise control for the first 500 miles. Try to go up and down in speed, accelerate and decelerate and repeat. Try to use different gears - DO NOT use Eco (V-4) mode at all. Don't keep it at one constant RPM.
Aside from that, as soon as the yellow break in period bar disappears, you can use it as normal.
I did and I didn't see any problems.
What I would say is the clutch takes a long to to properly break in. It's really touchy and very sensitive at first.
Aside from that, as soon as the yellow break in period bar disappears, you can use it as normal.
I did and I didn't see any problems.
What I would say is the clutch takes a long to to properly break in. It's really touchy and very sensitive at first.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 231
Likes: 34
From: West Islip New York
My C7 is a 7 speed manual- I asked my salesman, a dedicated Vette guy about break in when I picked it up a few weeks ago, and I was told to drive it normally, no break in (I guess since its a manual)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Cliff notes: For the 1st 500 miles, vary speed, change gears, don't exceed 4000 revs and no WOT. Don't stomp on the brakes either
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
. To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid hard
cornering for the first 322 km
(200 mi).
. New brake linings also need a
break- in period. Avoid making
hard stops during the first
322 km (200 mi). This is
recommended every time brake
linings are replaced.
For the first 800 km (500 mi):
. Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops
Do not exceed 4000 rpm.
. Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
including the use of cruise
control.
. Avoid downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
. Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine. With a
manual transmission, shift to the
next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
For the first 2414 km (1500 mi):
. Do not participate in track
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during the
first 2414 km (1500 mi).
. Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may be
higher than normal during the
first 2414 km (1500 mi
. To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid hard
cornering for the first 322 km
(200 mi).
. New brake linings also need a
break- in period. Avoid making
hard stops during the first
322 km (200 mi). This is
recommended every time brake
linings are replaced.
For the first 800 km (500 mi):
. Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops
Do not exceed 4000 rpm.
. Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
including the use of cruise
control.
. Avoid downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
. Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine. With a
manual transmission, shift to the
next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
For the first 2414 km (1500 mi):
. Do not participate in track
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during the
first 2414 km (1500 mi).
. Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may be
higher than normal during the
first 2414 km (1500 mi
Last edited by KenHorse; Oct 20, 2014 at 06:06 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
You should listen to the engineers that designed your car, not a salesman.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,989
Likes: 12,385
From: NE South Carolina
I did the same thing and it makes sense. It takes time for the rings, rocker arms, lifters etc. to wear the slight high spots and lap in! Also the trans and rear end gears. I drove home and used 4th gear and all three overdrives (5th, 6th and 7th) to vary the engine speed. Fun to do. We just bought a BMW SUV and it limits the I6 to 4500 rpm for 1200 miles. Then it says gradually increase until you reach the 7000 rpm red line. Pretty sophisticated DI engine (double over head cams, 4 valves per cylinder and twin turbos -300 hp for 3 liters. That would be equivalent to 620 hp if 6.2 liters) and no doubt it has been machined to very tight tolerances.
