New Truck

[retired rob]

How much or what do I need to do to break in my new diesel Chevy 2500 before I get serious with pulling my 5vr ? I'm figuring on putting 500 miles or more on it around town and highway. My trailer is a bit less than 8000 lbs so it not that big of a problem. DW is in a hurry to get the traveling started. Me too!!

[xrated]

That info is usually specific from the manufacturer. I'd check the manual that came with your truck for specific info on break in before towing. It seems to me that the folks that made the truck would probably have the best suggestions on how to break it in!

[engine103]

May not agree with me but I've was told long ago to break it in the way your going to drive it, and that's what Iv'e always done. 2004 2500HD Duramax 236,000 miles so far and still running strong avg. mpg 17 and that includes towing trailer with farm tractor and several trips moving cars from Oklahoma to Oregon. Jim E. OKC

[GBB]

500 miles is plenty. Diesels Are happiest when theres a load on them...hookup and go.

[retired rob]

Sounds good to me. Thanks. I'm at the age where speed isn't a real issue.

[Bob_C]

If this old truck gives up and I have no option while traveling, I'd slide a new under the pin and keep on keep'n on....

[Elisavaet]

I have around 6,400 on my 2019 Duramax. The owners manual states:

New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will
perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
. Keep the vehicle speed at
88 km/h (55 mph) or less for
the first 805 km (500 mi).
. Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the first 805 km (500 mi).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
. Avoid making hard stops for
the first 322 km (200 mi) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
. Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. See Trailer Towing
0 279 for the trailer towing
capabilities of the vehicle
and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.

[grindstone01]

I asked the dealer the same question when I bought my 18 DRW Chevy. At first the dealer said to just start hauling the RV with no break in required. When I talked to the service manager and explained the RV was 16k in weight, he thought a 500 mile break in would be best. I ended up with 1k miles before I hooked up the RV. I have also heard that break in miles are best done at different speeds and it's best not to use cruise control or any steady speed or constant load.

[Pete1985]

Have fun with your new toy.

[retired rob]

New truck update.
Taking a trip to the west coast and have no issues what so ever. Put her in 5th and set the cruise control to 66 mph and roll along!
Headwind most of the way west, getting 11.5 mpg or better. No oil usage and def usage does not seem excessive.
Real happy so far.
This truck pull my 5th wheel very nicely.

[grindstone01]

Originally Posted by retired rob

New truck update.
Taking a trip to the west coast and have no issues what so ever. Put her in 5th and set the cruise control to 66 mph and roll along!
Headwind most of the way west, getting 11.5 mpg or better. No oil usage and def usage does not seem excessive.
Real happy so far.
This truck pull my 5th wheel very nicely.

With the Allison trans, put the gear in "D" (6th gear) and hit the tow button at the end of the gear shift. The Allison knows what to do from there. Also turn on the exhaust brake after every start and leave it on. I run cruise control if on flat roads and will play with the +/- button going over overpasses. 11.5 MPG is pretty good, but playing with the cruise, I can squeak 12 sometimes at 60 mph. I get about 4k miles on a DEF tank pulling our 14k fifth wheel. Consider adding a lower grill to protect the trans cooler.

[Roadglide54]

I put 500 miles like you suggested on 2018 duramax. I hooked up to 22 k lb gvw toyhualer took easy another 500 miles , never useing the curse.16 k miles latter pulling heavy with no troubles.

[carl2591]

I think it's interesting the owners manual recommend to NOT do hard braking the first some many miles.. In almost every brake pad replacement box there is a, shall we say installation manual, that states..

New brakes pads need to be "bedded" in to cure the resins for maximum braking performance. they recommend you do three to four stops from 45 mph to 5 constituting a HARD stop, speed back up to 45 and do again.. for three to 4 times, then to drive with braking for at least 5-10 mins to all the pads to cool.

I do this every time I chance pad on my cars, truck or RV trailer..

https://brakeperformance.com/bedding-in-rotors.php

Originally Posted by Elisavaet

I have around 6,400 on my 2019 Duramax. The owners manual states:

[Redapple]

I towed my trailer home with less than 100 miles on my truck. Got over 6k now runs beautiful. Towed three times with it since Nov. last year.