I've recently got a new silverado rcsb with the 4.8L and was wondering what exactly is the proper way to break in these trucks? I've heard about going easy on it for the first 500 miles and i've also heard people say to beat on it for the first 500 miles... i've got almost 300 miles and i have to say, i've floored it just a couple times but I feel kinda bad about flooring it now. I'm just worried that me flooring it the few times under the 500 miles will hurt the engines performance later on.

 

Its goin to go or its goin to blow ..... Warrenty is a wonderful thing.


I have always been told break em in like your gonna drive em

 

I mostly took it easy on my truck for it's first 500 miles, then I got on the highway with it and laid into it for a 500 mile road trip... ever since then it hasn't had an easy day

 

If ya think about the break in period two things come to mind. When you test drove it were you always nice to it and every truck you drove. 2nd what good does it do to shape an engine under 2000 rpm then floor it and suddenly expose it to high stress, high temp conditions>? run up the rpm scale slowly but surely

 

Drive it like you stole it!!!

James

 

I read an interesting article about a break-in procedure that included many WOT runs and hard driving. This type of procedure was intended for high horsepower applications so doing it on a stock motor shouldn't be any worse. My vote is to break it in like you are going to drive it.

 

I don't know about how many miles and what not, but I would change the oil at 500 or so with regular oil. I did mine at 400 and it had little metal shavings with regular oil, non-synthic. You never know how long that oil had been in there from the factory. Then again at 2500, no shavings. After that every 2500 for me. that is just my 2 cents, I like to stay on the conservative side. Also it is my understanding that the engines are broke in at the factory, well spin tested to see if anything is wrong with them. If they are the slightest bit out they pull the whole motor and drop in a new one.

 

Most race engines are built with loser so that you don't have to "wear them in". At least that is how my friend has his circle track motor built. That is another reason why race motors don't last that long.

 

Hey guys,, check out www.mototuneusa.com
This guy has a little more in depth theory as to running 'em hard during break in,, and to me it makes sense. I believe the article is called " Break In Secrets" This is a motorcycle site,, but as he states, this applies to all 4 stroke engines. When you get to the site,, scroll down towards the bottom of the page on the left and you'll see the article.
Hope this helps !!

JT