proper engine break-in
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 4
From: Garden City NY
proper engine break-in
So I will be taking delivery of my C7 about 150 mile away from home. My intention is to drive it home but, is that good idea, what is the proper break-in procedure? it is mostly highway going from NJ to Long Island NY so it could be stop and go all the way!
thanks
thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
From Corvette Blogger:
So you just took delivery of your new 2014 Corvette Stingray and now you got questions about how to properly break-in the 455/460 hp LT1 V8. With more Corvette Stingrays being delivered daily to their new owners, we’ve been asked the break-in procedure question more than a couple of times. So we’ve checked out the Owners Manual and have the recommended new vehicle break-in procedures straight from General Motors.
We’ve all seen the videos from some of the tuners showing new Stingrays on the dyno, doing burnouts, quarter mile runs and even a top speed run where the Stingray hits 175 mph with only 215 miles on the odometer. According to GM, these practices are not recommended until the Corvette Stingray goes through the break-in period.
GM has the following recommendations for 200, 500 and 1500 miles. They say that following these guidelines is recommended as parts have a break-in period and performance will be better in the long run.
For the first 200 Miles (322 km):
To break in new tires, drive at moderate speeds and avoid hard cornering for the first 200 miles (322 km).
New brake linings also need a break- in period. Avoid making hard stops during the first 200 miles (322 km). This is recommended every time brake linings are replaced.
r the first 500 Miles (800 km):
Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stop.
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 1500 miles (2414 km):
Do not participate in track events, sport driving schools, or similar activities during the first 1500 miles (2414 km).
Check engine oil with every refueling and add if necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may be higher than normal during the first 1500 miles (2414 km).
We’ve all seen the videos from some of the tuners showing new Stingrays on the dyno, doing burnouts, quarter mile runs and even a top speed run where the Stingray hits 175 mph with only 215 miles on the odometer. According to GM, these practices are not recommended until the Corvette Stingray goes through the break-in period.
GM has the following recommendations for 200, 500 and 1500 miles. They say that following these guidelines is recommended as parts have a break-in period and performance will be better in the long run.
For the first 200 Miles (322 km):
To break in new tires, drive at moderate speeds and avoid hard cornering for the first 200 miles (322 km).
New brake linings also need a break- in period. Avoid making hard stops during the first 200 miles (322 km). This is recommended every time brake linings are replaced.
r the first 500 Miles (800 km):
Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stop.
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 1500 miles (2414 km):
Do not participate in track events, sport driving schools, or similar activities during the first 1500 miles (2414 km).
Check engine oil with every refueling and add if necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may be higher than normal during the first 1500 miles (2414 km).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 4
From: Garden City NY
Gents,
what is considered a "high speed".
While I am on the parkway if I vary speed between 50 to 65 mph for about 100 miles then the final 50 miles will probably be in the 45 to 60 mph, is that good?
what is considered a "high speed".
While I am on the parkway if I vary speed between 50 to 65 mph for about 100 miles then the final 50 miles will probably be in the 45 to 60 mph, is that good?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1,549
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
Just drive the car like you're going to drive it, avoid beating the crap out of it for the first couple hundred miles and you'll be good to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
You want to avoid triple digit speeds until it is broken in; and just as important anywhere near full throttle starts or rpms over 4,000.
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
)
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
If one is taking delivery from the museum (if your car doesn't get swallowed up, haha), and driving back to Texas, what would be the suggested break in? Would it be best to take back roads instead of the major highways to get lots of varying speeds?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 228
From: Colorado Springs, CO/Augusta,GA Colorado
You can vary the speeds on the highway...ie pass on left and then back to right....drive speed limit some, under speed limit some, take hourly rest breaks after drinking plenty of water so those bath room stops are more frequent. That first 500 miles will go by pretty quickly.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 639
Likes: 17
From: DFW TX
If you are going to be on the highway, don't keep it in 1 gear.
Drop down to 4th or 5th or 6th in a manual or 4th/5th in manual mode on an auto. While your fuel mileage won't be great, you will get a varying range of RPM if you change your speeds slightly.
Drop down to 4th or 5th or 6th in a manual or 4th/5th in manual mode on an auto. While your fuel mileage won't be great, you will get a varying range of RPM if you change your speeds slightly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 228
From: Colorado Springs, CO/Augusta,GA Colorado
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
So the main concern is varying engine rpm's, not so much varying driving speed?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 126
Likes: 7
From: Macon Georgia
Love my C7
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 4
From: Garden City NY
I have had High Performance cars for over 50 years never had a slow one, broke all of them in the way I planned to drive them, which included getting on it every once and while. Old sand cast blocks back in the 60's were loose these babies are almost exact don't act the fool but enjoy your car. I agree not to track the car or go crazy on the stop and go. Again as always just my humble opinion.
Love my C7
Love my C7
thanks, that is what I have done in the past however, I never bought a car from a place that was so far from my home. So being on a highway for 100+ miles, is something new for me, it makes sense to just change the gear (RPM's) as that is really changing the speed of the engine.
thanks,
Joe