Break In

[chosin86]

Picking the new ride up tomorrow. Anyone have suggestions for break in process or period? (I’m used to breaking in precision rifles so at this point, I assume everything needs some kind of break in process) If I’m crazy, just let me know.

 

[df4801]

I don’t think it needs much.

I was told to vary speeds, limit high rpm, and no wide open throttle for the first 500 miles.

 

[chosin86]

I don’t think it needs much.

I was told to vary speeds, limit high rpm, and no wide open throttle for the first 500 miles.

I have a 200 mile drive home on the highway…hard to not hit high RPM. Guess I’ll baby it and stay in the slow lane.

 

[df4801]

I have a 200 mile drive home on the highway…hard to not hit high RPM. Guess I’ll baby it and stay in the slow lane.

Not sure I follow. I can go 80 mph and be at low rpm

 

[Cranbery]

I drove from Iowa to Miami, no problems. Just don't hard gas it, try to stay under 2.5k RPM i think is what the manual says. MPG will be shit for the first few thousand miles, it's normal. I went mostly 80 with blue cruise.

 

[WeinerMobile]

As said - varying RPM's and no high RPM's - Use the manual feature a few times to drop gears when your RPM is low at speed, the trucks have a feature to "unlock" at 1000 miles (may be 500); its like a magic trick; hit 1K on the clock and the tranny shifts better and the ride is smoother. Really not as important on these trucks as say a exotic sportscar or even a Vette or Mustang, but its a good practice to get into anyway.
I almost took my Gen2 Raptor back within the first 1K as the transmission felt like garbage but at 1000 it was like a new ride. Didn't notice it as much on my Tremor but was still noticeable.

 

[chosin86]

As said - varying RPM's and no high RPM's - Use the manual feature a few times to drop gears when your RPM is low at speed, the trucks have a feature to "unlock" at 1000 miles (may be 500); its like a magic trick; hit 1K on the clock and the tranny shifts better and the ride is smoother. Really not as important on these trucks as say a exotic sportscar or even a Vette or Mustang, but its a good practice to get into anyway.
I almost took my Gen2 Raptor back within the first 1K as the transmission felt like garbage but at 1000 it was like a new ride. Didn't notice it as much on my Tremor but was still noticeable.

You mean downshift to drop RPM correct?

 

[WeinerMobile]

Yes, on the highway or whenever you feel like its @ lower RPM's for the road, just pull the gearshift down into Manual and push the down arrow on the gearshift, it will downshift, give it a second or two, and go back to drive.

PS this was recommended to me when I picked up my C7 Corvette at the factory. It's a manual (last of them sadly) but the knowledge should be the same.

 

[Nomad]

As said - varying RPM's and no high RPM's - Use the manual feature a few times to drop gears when your RPM is low at speed, the trucks have a feature to "unlock" at 1000 miles (may be 500); its like a magic trick; hit 1K on the clock and the tranny shifts better and the ride is smoother. Really not as important on these trucks as say a exotic sportscar or even a Vette or Mustang, but its a good practice to get into anyway.
I almost took my Gen2 Raptor back within the first 1K as the transmission felt like garbage but at 1000 it was like a new ride. Didn't notice it as much on my Tremor but was still noticeable.

Chosin86, I did similar with my truck along with I did an oil change at 500 miles & then a second at 1,500… Prob excessive, but sounds like you & I may have done a lot PM in the past

PS- I want to say the manual says no towing for the first 2K.

 

[Bannerman]

Yes, on the highway or whenever you feel like its @ lower RPM's for the road, just pull the gearshift down into Manual and push the down arrow on the gearshift, it will downshift, give it a second or two, and go back to drive.

PS this was recommended to me when I picked up my C7 Corvette at the factory. It's a manual (last of them sadly) but the knowledge should be the same.

So just a couple seconds of different RPM is enough?

 

[WeinerMobile]

Probably a little longer lol, just don't go over the 2.5k on the tach. with the 10 speed you can probably drop 2 gears at 70/75MPH.

Its not particular on acceleration either, you can drop the pedal from a stop just let out if the rpm's go 2.5 ish. Start in second even.

Again, was told this from the Corvette factory and even my wife's AMG required it so it should translate. I did it with my 2020 Raptor and 2022 Tremor and no issues so far.

DO NOT TOW until 1K for sure.

 

[Fozzy]

I am the opposite, I drive it like I stole it from day one. I have had several trucks that have towed with less than 20 miles on them. No problems with any of them. No oil consumption , brake problems, no turbo problems, rear end or tranny trouble. Not even the dreaded cam phaser problem. Just enjoy the trucks from day one. I do like to change the oil at 2500 then 5000 then every 5K after that. If something really needs a special break in, they can control and limit it with software better than letting me do it.

 

[Escape Hatch]

Drive it like you stole it, embed those rings ASAP. I have always done this and the current car (460 whp mk7 GTI) does not burn a drop of oil at 66k miles.

 

[chosin86]

Chosin86, I did similar with my truck along with I did an oil change at 500 miles & then a second at 1,500… Prob excessive, but sounds like you & I may have done a lot PM in the past

PS- I want to say the manual says no towing for the first 2K.

PM is everything. There will definitely be now towing for the first 2k.

 

[D-Rock]

I am the opposite, I drive it like I stole it from day one. I have had several trucks that have towed with less than 20 miles on them. No problems with any of them. No oil consumption , brake problems, no turbo problems, rear end or tranny trouble. Not even the dreaded cam phaser problem. Just enjoy the trucks from day one. I do like to change the oil at 2500 then 5000 then every 5K after that. If something really needs a special break in, they can control and limit it with software better than letting me do it.

Have to agree with Fozzy here...I used to race motocross and always drove my bikes new or after refresh like I raced then from the first startup. I've done the same with my 6 banger ranger and 2 5.4 triton f150s. No issues with tranny or engine in rather either. As of today, my 08 FX4 f150 has 215k on it and I drive it everyday as I wait for my Tremor. I would also agree though, a few early oil changes and keeping an eye on levels for the first 2k or so is equally important.

 

[ChsTremor]

Never had a new truck but on my current motorcycle I followed the break in by the manual. It burns oil now.

That being said, I'm a little timid of putting the pedal to the floor on a $70k truck with only a few miles on it.
I've got a 1,200+ mile trip as soon as I pick it up. Will probably just drive like I always do and figure that will be a good mix of both theories.

 

[D-Rock]

Never had a new truck but on my current motorcycle I followed the break in by the manual. It burns oil now.

That being said, I'm a little timid of putting the pedal to the floor on a $70k truck with only a few miles on it.
I've got a 1,200+ mile trip as soon as I pick it up. Will probably just drive like I always do and figure that will be a good mix of both theories.

Okay let me clarify, I don't mean you should beat the snout out of it or drive it erratically on purpose, I'm just saying as you said yourself, just drive it like you would drive it everyday. At least that's my two cents.

 

[Bannerman]

Never had a new truck but on my current motorcycle I followed the break in by the manual. It burns oil now.

That being said, I'm a little timid of putting the pedal to the floor on a $70k truck with only a few miles on it.
I've got a 1,200+ mile trip as soon as I pick it up. Will probably just drive like I always do and figure that will be a good mix of both theories.

1100 miles for me, I plan to just take it easy on the way home, vary RPM, and I'll change the oil that first weekend. I always like to change oil after the first 1000 miles.

 

[WeinerMobile]

Owner's manual page 455:
BREAKING-IN Your vehicle requires a break-in period. For the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km), avoid driving at high speeds, heavy braking, aggressive shifting or using your vehicle to tow. During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics.

@Fozzy there is a whole thread on the corvette forums using this method (it's even named after somebody just can't think of the name now) that essentially motors the shit out of the C7's hard and many say the car break in better and faster that way.

Regardless its under warranty so either way you're covered lol.

 

[Texican]

Never had a new truck but on my current motorcycle I followed the break in by the manual. It burns oil now.

That being said, I'm a little timid of putting the pedal to the floor on a $70k truck with only a few miles on it.
I've got a 1,200+ mile trip as soon as I pick it up. Will probably just drive like I always do and figure that will be a good mix of both theories.

I have a 1500 mile trip home. Going to drive normally.