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Break in driving home on freeway

64Chevy

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So I think I have secured a deal on a new 18 GT350 (9.1 miles as it sits). I have about a 150 mile trip home from the dealer. I've read the break-in threads here, and from other sources on the web, and the general consensus is no WOT, no redline, but also don't baby it. But driving on a freeway I would guess I'd shift every 2 minutes or so, and vary my speed on the freeway within a 15 mph range? Also try to load it in various ways on the hills? Any other suggestions?
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honeybadger

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technically the manual states "no extended wide open throttle." You're going to get wildly different opinions on this.

As for me, I hit redline leaving the dealership parking lot (was warmed up).
 
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64Chevy

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Yep, thanks, I get the opinions are all over the map. I'm looking more for suggestions on how to manage break-in on the freeway (if there was a back road way home I wouldn't be asking--but I can't really slow to 10mph, speed up to 90mph, etc.).
 

honeybadger

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Guess that's more or less what I meant, though. It depends on what school of thought you're in (hard, gradual build-up of load, or easy). Sounds like you're in the gradual build-up of load category. If so, your plan sounds fine. Varying the RPMs and engine braking are considered to be most efficient.

At the end of the day, these engines are so advanced and well-engineered that the idea of "break in" conditions are kind of obsolete. Just do whatever is most comfortable for you and makes you happiest on your drive home.
 

nastang87xx

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Autocrossed mine at 200 miles. Did over 15 runs. Doesn't overly consume oil. No strange valvetrain noises. Transmission potato chip crisp. Questions?



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honeybadger

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….and then the valve spring went "pop". Lol I kid!
Haha - fair enough. Can you imagine if that spring had been in there for 20K miles? After all the track abuse, I'd be seriously impressed!
 

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I know there are different schools of thought on how to break in the engine on this car but I went with the recommendation of the GT350 supplement manual which states “drive your vehicle at least 100 miles before performing extended wide open throttle maneuvers and at least 1000 miles before performance or competition conditions”.

For the first hundred miles I drove the car I did not let the RPM go higher then 5000RPM. After that I started driving it harder with 8250RPM pulls. I haven’t tracked the car yet but I have done some canyon drives as well as other around town drives where I am winding out the engine (high RPM and downshift braking). I now have 4800 miles on the car with no oil consumption issues (we will see if it holds, LOL)

If I was you, during the drive home I would vary the RPMs and do some mild engine braking (all the while keeping the RPM <5000RPM) for the first 100 miles. After that I would open it up and experience the world of 8250RPM.
 
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64Chevy

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The engine braking as an engine load was not something I had thought of. Thanks.

S
 
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galaxy

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I’d argue the elephant in the room is your definition of a “trip”, and 150 miles isn’t that. For 150 miles, I think this conversation isn’t unwarranted. Juuuusssst drive the dang thing. Now, if you had a 7-800 mile trip home, then this conversation might be warranted.
 

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64Chevy

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What about the first oil change (when and with what)? I do all of my own work, so it isn't a cost issue. But I've read different milage, and different full synthetic vs partial synthetic arguments (at least for the Coyote). I don't want to discuss oil brands (we are close enough to the rabbit hole as it is)
 

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I did my first oil change at 1300 miles ( I do my own oil changes). I use the recommended Motorcraft oil and filter. RockAuto has the best price on the Motorcraft oil.
 

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