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Old 01-17-2017, 09:53 AM   #1
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Tow Vehicle Break In Period

How closely do you follow the recommended break-in that is documented in an owners manual?

For example, while considering and reading up on something like a new GMC/Chevy 1500, they recommend staying at 55 mph or less, and not towing for the first 500 miles, and then when you start towing to not exceed 50 mph for the first 500 miles, along with no full throttle starts during those first 500 miles of towing.

I suspect it's not an exact science, but as I mentioned above - just wondering how many people try to follow those guidelines.
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:30 AM   #2
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It's pretty easy to follow Ford's recommendations except the admonition against towing for the first 1,000 miles. They say "avoid driving too fast" for the first 1,000 miles and wait at least 1,000 miles to tow a trailer. I have premonitions of the truck I recently ordered getting delivered 2 days before a camping trip.

I'm going to try to stick to that, though, because these days the computer can tell when you connect a trailer and that would probably be detectable by a dealer, though I don't know if it would report the odometer reading at the time. No sense in giving them any excuse to shirk their warranty responsibilities.
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:33 AM   #3
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I have had 4- F-250 diesels. Immediately starting towing a trailer with our business. Drive easy for first 1000ish. These trucks are tough. Never had an issue.
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:35 AM   #4
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I believe it is important to vary load and speed for the first while. No constant (engine) speed runs, rather a variety of loads and throttle settings.

Also no upper range rpm, and no lugging it.
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:40 AM   #5
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They run them in pretty good on the dyno at the plant. Only thing I ever do is change oil around 1500 miles.
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:46 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaLevel View Post
How closely do you follow the recommended break-in that is documented in an owners manual?

For example, while considering and reading up on something like a new GMC/Chevy 1500, they recommend staying at 55 mph or less, and not towing for the first 500 miles, and then when you start towing to not exceed 50 mph for the first 500 miles, along with no full throttle starts during those first 500 miles of towing.

I suspect it's not an exact science, but as I mentioned above - just wondering how many people try to follow those guidelines.
I'll speak for GM and for myself, as a "GM factory rep". You do want to follow the recommendations relatively closely. For example, with my own recent purchase, I drove it solo on a couple (purposefully) two lane trips down-state, where top speed it 60 and regular traffic situations and towns require varying speeds.

Then when 500 miles were up, I arranged a couple relatively local camping trips on similar roads, for the same reasons.

There are a number of mechanical and software reasons for these recommendations, and they are worth your following.
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:55 AM   #7
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I bought my truck used with 8,000 miles on it.
I started towing at 10,000 miles.
I didn't exceed 55 mph for a couple of years.
Not sure if I did any full throttle starts in that time, but AI might have.
Never really gave it any thought.
The truck has 57,000 miles now.
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Old 01-17-2017, 11:06 AM   #8
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Bought my 2016 GMC Crewcab 2500HD 4x4 Duramax in May when our 17 yr old Suburban had the computer totally die. We had to leave our AS near Valdosta GA and limp home. Bought our new GMC through Costco, and had to wait several days for it to be trucked into Atlanta. We broke it in according to the rules, and then drove down to Valdosta to pick up our stranded AS (left it in a secure campground hooked to AC). We just had 500 miles on it when we hooked up the AS, then pulled it on the interstate at varying speeds. Not easy, but we got back home safely. If you are going to keep your tow vehicle why not do it right?
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Old 01-17-2017, 11:22 AM   #9
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Nissan and Toyota used to have a 500 mile break-in that said you had to tow at 35 mpg for 500 miles to insure the rear end didn't fail.
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Old 01-17-2017, 11:35 AM   #10
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We broke in a 15 Sierra 1500 recently. We hooked up to our 14 Classic after 600 miles and towed it home 500 miles, with guidance from our salesman, a truck guy. As others have said, vary speed and don't overload. 23000 miles later, with 12000 under tow, running perfectly. Good luck.
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Old 01-17-2017, 12:51 PM   #11
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Why would you not follow the factory break-in instructions?

Ford, and I'm sure others, says no cruise control for the first 500 miles (feature is disabled) and no towing for the first 1000.

Is that so complicated?
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Old 01-17-2017, 12:53 PM   #12
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We bought our 2015 Duramax in Albuquerque while on vacation. Didn't have the opportunity to follow any break in process. Hooked the AS up in the parking lot after the dealer adjusted my hitchgear. We rolled out for Grand Canyon and I set the cruise control for 60 and watched everyone pass us. 29k miles later I couldn't be happier with the truck.
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Old 01-17-2017, 01:45 PM   #13
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The workings of the engine need a chance to work in. Just do it according to the manual; there is a reason for that.
Usually the original oil needs changing about 500 -1000 miles It used to be a special break in oil which is why they don't want the engine loaded too heavily. I also changed the oil in the rear Diif for Synthetic oil with the anti-slip pack at the first recommended change. Have kept synthetic in it for 14 years and gears still look new when it gets opened up every 50,000 km (30,000 miles). I also change the tranny oil every 50K Km. it usually doesn't need it but it's cheap insurance.
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Old 01-17-2017, 01:49 PM   #14
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Why would you not follow the factory break-in instructions? ...
Is that so complicated?
Yeah, I can't figure. Life is much easier if you just follow guidelines that are there for your own well being.

But in this crowd it sounds more like, "My truck says it can pull 4500 lbs. Can I pull a 6000 lb trailer?" "How fast do you drive in a 55 zone?" "The tires say max weight load at 45 psi, so how much air should I put in them?" etc,...
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Old 01-17-2017, 04:20 PM   #15
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315,000 miles on one, 223,000 on the other, still in the family and still going strong. Oil change at 1500 miles, nothing else.
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Old 01-17-2017, 04:32 PM   #16
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What you do to your engine and transmission in the first 1000 or so miles will have a direct impact on how long and how strong your engine will be for the rest of its life.

Vary RPM's, don't use cruise and don't overstress the motor by towing with it. I also strongly suggest doing an oil change with in the first 1000 miles to get rid of the assembly lube and an oil filter that could be clogged with metal/plastic bits, assembly lube and going into bypass mode.

Don't forget your transmission and differentials. If you're towing a lot you will need to adjust your maintenance schedule to the severe part of the schedule.

Pay a little attention now and pay a whole lot less later on.
Fluids are cheap!
Cheers
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Old 01-17-2017, 04:49 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaLevel View Post
How closely do you follow the recommended break-in that is documented in an owners manual?

For example, while considering and reading up on something like a new GMC/Chevy 1500, they recommend staying at 55 mph or less, and not towing for the first 500 miles, and then when you start towing to not exceed 50 mph for the first 500 miles, along with no full throttle starts during those first 500 miles of towing.

I suspect it's not an exact science, but as I mentioned above - just wondering how many people try to follow those guidelines.
Follow the Mfr's recommendations. EVERY new vehicle needs a break-in period.
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Old 01-17-2017, 04:53 PM   #18
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They run them in pretty good on the dyno at the plant. Only thing I ever do is change oil around 1500 miles.
After a break-in period of about 2000 Km.. I change ALL the fluids in the vehicle. OILS, TRANS FLUID, DIFF. FLUIDS, EVERYTHING except the coolant.
I used synthetic Mobile One in the engine, and whatever the Mfr. recommends for the rest. seems to work.
This is recorded in the vehicle log book that I keep for each vehicle. Cheap insurance!
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Old 01-17-2017, 05:14 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by Isuzusweet View Post
... Vary RPM's, don't use cruise and don't overstress the motor by towing with it.

Cheers
Tony
A couple people have mentioned not using cruise control. What if you're varying your speed that way... a couple miles at 50, bump it up to 52, bump it down to 48, etc. Any problem with doing it that way, or does that accomplish the same thing?
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Old 01-17-2017, 06:47 PM   #20
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Tow Vehicle Break In Period

Drive it like you plan on driving from day one.Vary your speed for the first 1000 miles.Do not change oil early as the oil more than likely has break in additives for your new engine.Follow manufacturers maintenance schedule.


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