REMINDER: Chevrolet Recommends a 1,500-mile Break-in Period for All Z06 and Z51 Corvettes BEFORE Track Use

Bringing home a new Z06 is exciting. But before you dominate at your next local track day (or do a crazy burnout), make sure to follow the break-in procedure.

It is said that passing the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination is one of the most difficult tasks in the world. Fewer than 300 people have passed this exam in the last 45 years. But you want to know what is even more difficult? Taking delivery of a brand spanking new C8 Z06 and not being able to rip it right up to redline or take it to a racetrack. But you can’t. At least not right away. Chevrolet is very clear about the break-in procedure. And as tempting as it may be to ignore it, you better not. If you do, bad things can happen to your new car.

Emelia Hartford recently took delivery of her stunning Amplify Orange 3LZ Z06. She posted a video of her unwrapping and first drive of the car to her YouTube channel. She is clearly very excited to take delivery. And who wouldn’t be? But her enthusiasm is just a bit dampened by having to follow the break-in procedure. She states in the video that Chevrolet called her to specifically remind her that the break-in period is 1,500 miles for track use. As most folks in our community know, torque is limited in low gears and you should not exceed 4,000 rpm for the first 500 miles. But Chevrolet recommends you drive a full 1,500 miles before taking the car to the track. This is clearly spelled out on page 189 of the Owner’s Manual.

To download the full 2023 Corvette Owner’s Manual, click HERE.

Break-In Procedure

Page 189 is probably the most important page in the entire manual for new Corvette owners. On that page, the tiered break-in procedure is laid out. For the first 200 miles avoid hard cornering and hard stops to break-in both the tires and brakes. Keep this in mind as you should follow this every time you replace the tires or brakes. For the first 500 miles, avoid full-throttle starts, try to vary engine speeds, don’t lug the engine, and don’t exceed 4,000 rpm. And until you reach 1,500 miles do not take it to the track, and check engine oil every time you refuel. Oil and fuel consumption will likely be higher during this first 1,500 miles.

Future Care

Most of the items listed in the break-in section are good to be followed for the life of the car especially if you plan to track it. You are going to want to keep a close eye on your oil at all times and change it more frequently if your Z06 is going to be a track rat. You should never lug the engine even after the break-in period. But we do encourage you to run this LT6-powered beast to redline as many times as humanly possible (safely of course) while you own it. Afterall, that is the point of this machine. It is blessed with incredible performance and an absolute gem of an engine. Break that baby in properly and then let her sing.

Exercising Restraint

In the video, you can see the struggle that Hartford has with keeping this incredible performance machine bottled up. Especially after such a long wait for one of these C8 Z06 cars. When the day finally comes that you have it, you want to jump on it immediately. But Hartford does her best to try to comply with what Chevrolet recommends. But if you know anything about her, you can be sure that at 1,500.1 miles she is going to be pushing this Z06 harder than almost anyone else out there. And we can’t wait to see it. For now, much like Hartford, all we can do is wait.

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