[Rickii]

I just got a CTS 2,8L manual. After my first week-end I was told that you should not drive faster then 70 kmh for the first 800 km. I went faster sooner like 180kmh after 100km. I did not floor it drastically or anything but I definitively went faster then 70 kmh...Does anyone know if I actually damaged the car.

 

[dkozloski]

Everything is fine. Don't worry! Be happy!

 

[rydr2]

I just got a CTS 2,8L manual. After my first week-end I was told that you should not drive faster then 70 kmh for the first 800 km. I went faster sooner like 180kmh after 100km. I did not floor it drastically or anything but I definitively went faster then 70 kmh...Does anyone know if I actually damaged the car.

Drive it like you stole it.

 

[Boston.CTS06]

Did I see , read , somewhere that they run each engine outside the car for a period of time at high rpm's

 

[skepticman]

This is what's in my owner's manual on page 2-22:

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle

New Vehicle Break-In

Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines for the first 500 miles (805 km):
• Do not drive at any one speed — fast or slow.
• Do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
• Do not make full-throttle starts; also refrain from using the full throttle while driving.
If these procedures are not followed, your engine, axle, or other parts could be damaged.
Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this break-in guideline every time you get new linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing a Trailer on page 4-40 for more information.

 

[MikeB066]

It is funny that you ask, I was really worried about behaving during my break in period, so as soon as I hit 3,000 miles I was at the dealer asking for an oil change and check up. The service guy looked at me a little funny and said something along the lines of, "Son, we don't service these until they have hit 6,000 miles because they have platinum plugs, synthetic oil, etc." My CTS is my baby, so I insisted that they should change the oil and make sure everything was to spec. He looked at me like I was a little crazy, and maybe I am, but this is my precious we are talking about. Anyway, they had me in and out with an oil change and check up in less than an hour, way better service than I had ever gotten used to with my other cars, and I went back to being happy.

The moral of the story? The impression I got from the service guy I talked to is that the new designs are well put together, run smoother, better, and nicer than cars five years younger so a lot of the paranoia about getting through the break in period is a thing of the past.

That being said, I dropped the coin to get my car serviced at 3,000 miles just because I am taking no chances. But according to my Cadillac dealer, I am throwing my money away. They were perfectly happy to accept it mind you, but they thought I was being pretty silly.

Some people just do not understand the relationship of a new car to a person!

 

[1500cc]

I'm undecided on this. On one hand, manufacturing tolerances are so much better nowadays that extensive break-in periods should not be required. Also there's an old adage that says, "break 'em in fast and they'll stay fast; break 'em in slow and they'll stay slow". And I've seen the scientific explanation that supports that.

On the other hand there's cars like the Evo that if you don't go easy during break-in, you're almost guaranteed to have oil burning issues.

So I guess I split the difference. I drive it like I would drive any car, and that includes the odd WOT burst (once warmed up, natch) and the occasional cruise beyond the speed limits.