[CarFlow1]

Although I am aware of there being other posts related to the break in period. I just thought I'd share my brief experience on the ZL1's break-in process so far.

Man, it is really tempting and more difficult than I thought to restrain from pushing it to the limit. By the way, there is a scent that comes from the car after a drive. Is this normal during the break-in period?

[BlaqWhole]

For a good amount of miles there will be certain scents you'll get. This is a car with an engine and trans and exhaust that is all brand new. So coatings will burn off, fluids going thru for the first few times will have a scent, the exhaust will have a scent, the cats will give off a scent. It is normal for a brand new car.

Lots of people have different views on break-in. I say follow it as closely as possible. Why? Because OnStar and other monitors are paying attention. If you don't follow it and something blows, they will pull up the diagnostic report and void the warranty. So just do yourself a favor and follow it. With that said, a few >80 MPH runs and a few >4000 RPM pulls won't harm it. Going WOT a few times after 1000 miles won't hurt it either. I think it is actually good for the engine to get up to those speeds during break in a few times. But don't go beating on it. Better safe than sorry.

[unavailablezl1]

Originally Posted by BlaqWhole

For a good amount of miles there will be certain scents you'll get. This is a car with an engine and trans and exhaust that is all brand new. So coatings will burn off, fluids going thru for the first few times will have a scent, the exhaust will have a scent, the cats will give off a scent. It is normal for a brand new car.

Lots of people have different views on break-in. I say follow it as closely as possible. Why? Because OnStar and other monitors are paying attention. If you don't follow it and something blows, they will pull up the diagnostic report and void the warranty. So just do yourself a favor and follow it. With that said, a few >80 MPH runs and a few >4000 RPM pulls won't harm it. Going WOT a few times after 1000 miles won't hurt it either. I think it is actually good for the engine to get up to those speeds during break in a few times. But don't go beating on it. Better safe than sorry.

Here is my report card...

[bucknut2006]

Was at the drag strip and the car saw the dyno in the first 500 miles. The car is way too fun!

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by CarFlow1

By the way, there is a scent that comes from the car after a drive. Is this normal during the break-in period?

If you have an m6, you'll smell the clutch after driving for the first 1500-2000 miles.

[CarFlow1]

Originally Posted by hawk02

If you have an m6, you'll smell the clutch after driving for the first 1500-2000 miles.

I have an A10 but this probably applies to it as well. It doesn't smell bad at all, it smells like speed lol. But, I think its just the oils burning it would be nice if that scent remained constant as it would be a neat reminder to the driver of power is under the hood.

[stkshft]

You are correct OP, keeping this beast under 4k RPM/80 MPH is a lot to ask for when it is just begging to roar.

Here is a quick PDR clip of how I have been driving mine during break-in - https://youtu.be/zWaKx66cG_Y

[gblaue]

Originally Posted by hawk02

If you have an m6, you'll smell the clutch after driving for the first 1500-2000 miles.

My clutch didn't smell.

[sengli]

So far no clutch smell from my new car. Just normal burning off smells from hot exhaust pipes etc. How did you get that report card?

[Cgocifer]

Originally Posted by unavailablezl1

Here is my report card...

Where do you get that report?

[kwav8r]

Originally Posted by CarFlow1

By the way, there is a scent that comes from the car after a drive. Is this normal during the break-in period?

Yes, the new car smell also extends to the outside of the car as well. Hard to describe but it's a ~metallic/composite smell. I've only put 1,400 miles on mine and I still get a healthy smell from it, especially after it's in the garage. I think it smells like awesome!

[Stephen12ZL1]

I smell/smelled the typical paint burning, new brakes, new tires, and light coolant smell during the first 1500 miles. After my first track session, the smells were more intense. At 2100 miles now, little odor comes from the beast unless a bunch of WOT runs have occurred.

[Infern0]

Originally Posted by CarFlow1

Although I am aware of there being other posts related to the break in period. I just thought I'd share my brief experience on the ZL1's break-in process so far.

Man, it is really tempting and more difficult than I thought to restrain from pushing it to the limit. By the way, there is a scent that comes from the car after a drive. Is this normal during the break-in period?

I love that smell. Enjoy it as it goes away after a while and you won't smell it again until you push the car even further - like a track event. Even then you only get it that one extra time.

Originally Posted by BlaqWhole

For a good amount of miles there will be certain scents you'll get. This is a car with an engine and trans and exhaust that is all brand new. So coatings will burn off, fluids going thru for the first few times will have a scent, the exhaust will have a scent, the cats will give off a scent. It is normal for a brand new car.

Lots of people have different views on break-in. I say follow it as closely as possible. Why? Because OnStar and other monitors are paying attention. If you don't follow it and something blows, they will pull up the diagnostic report and void the warranty. So just do yourself a favor and follow it. With that said, a few >80 MPH runs and a few >4000 RPM pulls won't harm it. Going WOT a few times after 1000 miles won't hurt it either. I think it is actually good for the engine to get up to those speeds during break in a few times. But don't go beating on it. Better safe than sorry.

Don't want to reignite this debate but this is 100% false. While it has been proven that On-Star is making money off of all of the data they collect by selling it to third parties such as manufacturers, insurers, etc, this data is anonymized prior and attribution is removed.

If there has been an instance of this occuring, I would love to read about it. It would be a fascinating case study - especially in comparison with the new GDPR regulations that begin in May 2018.