Got a new Silverado Classic

[HaroldCallahan]

Picked up 2007 Silverado Classic extended cab 4x4 worktruck with 4.8 last nite. I am very impressed with it.

 

The dealer service manager told me it is best to drive it hard from the very start. Said something about if you drive it hard it will run better, something about programming the computer, etc. That is something I have never done before, in the past I have always driven my new vehicles real gently during the first 500 miles or so, avoiding hard acceleration, speed over 55 etc for first 500 miles.

 

Anyway, I had a 35 mile drive home on the interstate and went ahead and took it up to 75 or 80. I did vary the speed though. My 11 year old boy was with me and wondered if it had much power, so I did floor it or come close at I think about 50 or 55 mph. Transmission downshifted and it has power.

 

Now I read the manual and it says keep it under 55 which is what I always have done in the past.

 

Why would the dealer say something opposite of the manual ???

 

Also I am thinking that there are other part other than the motor to consider. Like differential, wheel bearing etc. Transmission and transfer case.

 

I doubt that my drive home could have harmed much, but I do wonder what is realy best for the long term - to drive it hard at first or take it easy ??? And why would dealer contradict the GM manual ???

 

Any thoughts on this appreciated.

[redvett]

do what the owners manual says not what the service managers opinion is. He just works there but GM has much more experience in there products and reccomends a slow easy break-in.

Works for me.

[asilverblazer]

There is a dfference between driving hard, and driving fast. The lower speed limit has to do with the differential I believe. I really don't think any particular break in method is goning to make a big difference in performance. They dummy proof them so much now.

[95Sierra2500]

Since it's brand new, the computer hasn't learned the engine yet (all engines have slight differences in how they perform, each computer must adapt). So I would recommend taking it easy and NOT driving it hard/fast since you're just asking to cause problems.

[TEE]

Drive it like ya' stole it!

[FSTDL]

Why would chevrolet tell you to break it in if it didn't need it.I have always done as the owners manual said.There is a lot going on with gears,seals,servos,solinoids,etc.Let it all have a chance to seat in.

Why would some ding a ling know more than the manufacture.

This is unless your not planning on keeping the trucklong

[sc4808]

Drive it like ya' stole it!

 

 

I would be willing to bet that the truck has been test driven a few times before you took delivery and that it was pounded on like most. People just naturally want to "see what she will do" so, so much for taking it easy on it.

 

I am not fast driver by nature but every vehicle I have ever bought new (at least 15 and counting) I have driven it just like the one I just traded in and have had no problems to date.

[HaroldCallahan]

I am taking it easy from now on. I really was not too hard on it. But I should not have listened to the dealer.

 

This pretty much confirms what I have always thought about dealers. I must have let my guard down in my advanced age.

 

My Ford Ranger that this truck is replacing has never been back to the dealer and it has 165,000 trouble free miles. I did all the maintenance on it, I am hoping for the same from this Silverado. My wife's Yukon XL has about 11,000 miles and no problems yet.

 

When do you guys suggest first oil change ? I have usually done it on my other vehicles at either 500 or 1000 and use dino oil until at least 10,000.

 

Also, I am not going to tow. But may ocassionally take a couple dirt bikes in the back and drive in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. This truck does not have an auxillary trans cooler. Do I need a trans cooler, or if I use tow mode and keep it in 3 instead of drive when loaded with the dirt bikes in the mountains will that be good enough ?

 

Also, if I install a cooler myself is there any chance of warranty issues ?

[michigan2500hd]

I am taking it easy from now on.  I really was not too hard on it.  But I should not have listened to the dealer.

 

This pretty much confirms what I have always thought about dealers.  I must have let my guard down in my advanced age.

 

My Ford Ranger that this truck is replacing has never been back to the dealer and it has 165,000 trouble free miles.  I did all the maintenance on it, I am hoping for the same from this Silverado.  My wife's Yukon XL has about 11,000 miles and no problems yet.

 

When do you guys suggest first oil change ?  I have usually done it on my other vehicles at either 500 or 1000 and use dino oil until at least 10,000.

 

Also, I am not going to tow.  But may ocassionally take a couple dirt bikes in the back and drive in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  This truck does not have an auxillary trans cooler.  Do I need a trans cooler, or if I use tow mode and keep it in 3 instead of drive when loaded with the dirt bikes in the mountains will that be good enough ?

 

Also, if I install a cooler myself is there any chance of warranty issues ?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

The dirt bikes shouldnt make much of a difference, they dont weigh that much. You should only have to use tow/haul mode if you are pulling at least half of your rated towing weight or if the trans is shifting to often. As for the first oil change i usually do it after the first 1000 miles. I would only add the trans cooler if you plan on towing.