500 miles under 50 mph

[TBammer]

Sooo, I posted in an other thread about the new 2500 HD I just bought. Great truck, nice truck, could not ask for a better truck. Buuuut, I'm reading the break in requirements and it says drive 500 miles without towing. No problem, not my first new vehicle and I expected such an instruction.

It's the next part that got me, the manual says to then not exceed 50 mph for the first 500 miles of towing. :E Going to be some slow paced trips. Are they kidding (rhetorical, I know they are not)? That's my rant. Thoughts? Comments?

[classicdude]

I hereby offer my services... leave it with me and I would be delighted to break it in for you! And I promise I won't exceed 50 mph! 🙂

[mkirsch]

The reality here based on what's been said so far is that the odds of you having issues due to not properly breaking in the drivetrain on your new truck are slim.

It is most likely that the instructions in the owners manuals are just CYA from the manufacturer to absolve them of responsibility for that odd early failure that could have been prevented with proper break-in.

What YOU have to answer is, are you willing to take that chance, however small it may be?

[Dadoffourgirls]

TBammer - I have taken next week off as vacation. I will come get your truck this weekend, finish putting the 500 miles on it, and be willing to tow my trailer up north with your truck and not exceed 500 miles. I will then return the truck for you ready for Labor Day weekend.

Just let me know what time works!

[deltabravo]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
... because you were too stupid to break it in the way they tell you...

Not a very nice comment.

[Lessmore]

taken wrote:

Lessmore wrote:

taken wrote:
All the replies will be anecdotal. One person saying they always do what the manual says and has no issue proves nothing. Just like one person posting they never do what the manual says and never have issues. It's all opinion.

Following what the manufacturer's manual says...is not opinion...it's direct instruction from the company engineers who developed and tested the machine.

The OP was asking for an OPINION on whether to follow the recommendation or not. No one is questioning if the recommendation is there or not. LOL. Try again...

I see.

[Muddydogs]

Talk to any mechanic that has had to deal with the engineers and they will tell you they know very little. I'm dealing with them right now due to a fan clutch issue in my Ram and have to say I haven't found one engineer that can understand simple english but after having dealt with engineers off and on through my life I didn't expect anything different.

Always gets me when guys say follow the manual but then turn around and don't follow the manual when it suits them, reminds me of the Glock pistol manual saying to not shoot reloads or cast lead bullets but hardly anyone follows that warning.

I would do the 500 mile break in without towing then drive it like a stole it which has worked just fine for me so far.

[taken]

It's so cute that so many guys think that things go right because of what they do, not realizing that the same result would have come about if they didn't go that route...

[SoCalDesertRid1]

TBammer wrote:
I did some research and learned a lot about gearsets in the differential, and how they harden during the break in period through repeated heating and cooling, which causes metallurgical changes to the castings. The concern is that early on they heat up from the friction as the gears mesh and surfaces harden. If the oil overheats the process is corrupted and can compromise the strength of the parts. The speed shops all recommend changing the rear end oil after the break in. As someone who wants a truck to last, I will be following the experts recommendation. I was just a little taken aback by the information. Learn something new everyday.

So the plan is to take it out last twice a day for 15-20 mile drives of varying speed, without prolonged high speeds. Just means taking a long way around to work and home, which should do the trick until the mileage is hit,

That is a very good plan indeed. You are wise, grasshopper. 🙂

The whole break-in process and reasons why were explained to me after I had the gears changed in one of my F350's several years ago. Their explanation sounded alot like what you found. I did what they said to a T and the gears have never given me a problem, some 12 years later.

It amazes me that someone would spend $50,000-$80,000 on a new truck and NOT do what the manual says about properly breaking it in. I guess when you're super rich and have money to burn, you don't worry about burning it up!

Some of these guy here have trucks that cost almost as much as my house.

I'm a poor guy. Everything I own is old, but I take really good care of my stuff, so I don't have to spend big money fixing stupid sh1t that I broke because I was a moron...

[TBammer]

I did some research and learned a lot about gearsets in the differential, and how they harden during the break in period through repeated heating and cooling, which causes metallurgical changes to the castings. The concern is that early on they heat up from the friction as the gears mesh and surfaces harden. If the oil overheats the process is corrupted and can compromise the strength of the parts. The speed shops all recommend changing the rear end oil after the break in. As someone who wants a truck to last, I will be following the experts recommendation. I was just a little taken aback by the information. Learn something new everyday.

So the plan is to take it out last twice a day for 15-20 mile drives of varying speed, without prolonged high speeds. Just means taking a long way around to work and home, which should do the trick until the mileage is hit,

[3oaks]

DownTheAvenue wrote:

taken wrote:
The break in period is for the gearset and not the engine. I would head the 500 miles without towing recommendation. I would ignore the under 50MPH though once you begin towing...

I would follow the owner's manual. The engineers who designed and built your truck know what is best, not someone with a keyboard and an internet connection.

That covers it. Excellent! 😉

[KD4UPL]

When I bought my '05 Chevy new I drove it 4 hours home from the dealer on the interstate at 75 MPH. Then I hooked it to the boat and went to the lake. When I got home I decided to read the manual. Whoops.
I've got 213,000 miles on it with no engine, transmission, or rear end problems at all. In fact it's been by far the most trouble free vehicle I've ever owned.

[n0arp]

We bought our truck and (first fifth wheel - since traded because it was a lemon) trailer at the same time. We ran about 300mi on the truck before hauling our 6k TT 100mi to the dealer, then picked up the new 10k 5er and drove 100mi back. Both hauls were at 65mph on I35.

Swapped all fluids to full synthetic at 4k miles and 8k on the truck now, over half of that towing. No issues so far.

That being said, I'd follow their recommendations. Better safe than sorry.

[CarnationSailor]

I followed the owner's manual and didn't tow above 50 mph for the first 500 miles, but contrary to the advice on this thread, I favored interstates over secondary roads. My thinking was that those wanting to go faster could get around me more easily and much safer on an interstate than on a two-lane road where they would have to hang it out there against oncoming traffic.

[Housted]

We bought our TV when we were out of town with the 5er.(got such a deal we could not turn it down) We were only able to put about 250 mi. before heading home with the 5er. I just took it easy and kept it under 55 all the way home. Have not had any trouble with it since.

Housted

[taken]

DownTheAvenue wrote:

taken wrote:
The break in period is for the gearset and not the engine. I would head the 500 miles without towing recommendation. I would ignore the under 50MPH though once you begin towing...

I would follow the owner's manual. The engineers who designed and built your truck know what is best, not someone with a keyboard and an internet connection.

I wonder why he asked us?