[2022csilv]

Do I have to drive this thing cautiously for a period of time? Should I open it up (full throttle) here and there in the first 500 miles? Suggestions?/

[Carzzy]

Keep your RPM's under 4000 and vary your speed for the first 500 miles. I would not do any full throttle take offs for the first 500 miles.

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by Carzzy

Keep your RPM's under 4000 and vary your speed for the first 500 miles. I would not do any full throttle take offs for the first 500 miles.

This! Give it at least 500 miles of easy driving (I would even recommend changing the oil and diff fluid at 500 miles), after that you can drive a bit more aggressively, technically the manual considers the break in period to be 1,500 miles, but most people consider the first 500 to be the most critical...

[ariZona28]

Hot DAMN that is a beautiful car. The more I see that Riverside Blue the more I like it. Good luck keeping your foot out of it for 500 miles even if it's the right thing to do.

[JTS]

I have my very good friend, that has been ,building Engines, Performance and Daily Drivers for over 50 plus years, I've had and helped him build my engines , I called him and suggested,1 st 400 miles ,4k rpm max accel and decel , 80 mph , very speed , 500 miles up 5k rpm accel decel an 80 mph . At 1k miles you can pull to 6k , after 12 to 13 hundred, you good . Or follow the OM. Oil change and Diff 5 to 700 miles .
I followed his or OM suggestions, but all up to the individual.

[Silveradoss573]

Owners manual pages 191 and 192....check it out

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

I recommend you do your own separate research since most people on here aren't automotive engine engineers or performance engine builders, but it's important to get some good runs in early in the engine's life to seat the rings. The heat and pressure are needed to properly seat the rings. The process performance engine builders use is essentially: Set it in manual mode, start in 3rd gear @ 2000 rpm. Roll into near wide-open throttle to 4875 rpm (75% of the 6500 rpm redline), then engine brake (stay in 3rd gear) back down to 2000 rpm. Do this a few times, drive around and let it cool down, then do it again.

Again, I recommend you research this technique before you do it. It's what I do with my new cars, but again, don't take only my word for it.

Whatever you do, don't baby the thing for 1,500 miles.

Change the oil at 1,000 miles and then go off the oil life counter after that. I'd suggest doing the rear differential with OEM fluid at 1k miles, too. I waited and did my rear diff fist change at around 4k miles at my 2nd oil change.

[LT4Greg]

Go with the recommendations in your owners manual. It’s not rocket science.

[DangerZL1]

I’d go with the recommended break in too. It’s not just the engine that’s breaking in. The ring and pinion need to be heat cycled too. My MPG went from about 12.5 when new to 16 Avg after a few weeks. This shows how tight a new engine is.

[Gunkk]

Start at step 6 (1-5 were done at the factory). Skip step #10 and do the 1st oil change at 500 miles.

Wait until 1500 to take it to the track, then do a proper prep per the track prep guide. Also, the tires will try to kill you in rain. Warm dry pavement is your friend.

[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

Welcome to the ZL1 Club! WOW!!! I didn't follow any of the above break in routines! I hope nothing comes back and haunts me! At 180 miles, 90 of which were from driving back in a rain storm from the dealer on December 14th 2022 when I bought mine. Shortly after, I began ripping her apart and started my mod process, added long tube headers, secondary CAT delete, exhaust mid-pipe/x-pipe, Corsa Xtreme NPP, throttle body, intake, new coil packs, gauges, valve covers, plugs, wires, and just ended my mods by adding a DSX Flex Fuel kit and a few other goodies! Tuning process during my mods, with 378 miles on the odometer, I started the process that included a total of 5 different computer flashes, which required doing pulls from 2000rpm to 5500rpm/6500rpm. My tuner confirmed his changes are tweaked best they can be and she's good as is, and yes, she’s a BEAST! I have 570 miles on her now and I love cruising around through our busy town now that the weather is nice, tons of people walking around the stores and the restaurants and coffee shops, and almost all of them turn their head and look when I'm passing by! This is a dream car to have and I feel very fortunate I have one! Have fun with yours!!! Attached is the fastest I've been on (4) wheels... It was a 7th gear pull, she was smooth as glass during the entire pull (in Mexico) I had to back off cause I was a bit un-nerved at that speed!

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by Silveradoss573

Owners manual pages 191 and 192....check it out

I did and page 192 does not talk about changing engine oil at 500 and 1500 miles. Can you point me to the documentation regarding this?

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Start at step 6 (1-5 were done at the factory). Skip step #10 and do the 1st oil change at 500 miles.

Wait until 1500 to take it to the track, then do a proper prep per the track prep guide. Also, the tires will try to kill you in rain. Warm dry pavement is your friend.

Thanks where did you find this detailed steps?

[JSH]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Thanks where did you find this detailed steps?

My engine was modified and dyno'd several times three years ago with 375 miles. It doesn't consume any 5W30 oil and has no issues.