Plan for break-in of 1.4T

[RichieRocket]

So according this guy, we should do the following:

1. Change the oil, since they ship with synthetic, to petroleum.
2. Find a stretch of road to run it through 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
3. Accelerate full throttle and then brake fairly hard to decelerate, rinse-repeat.
4. Change the oil again at 20 miles to remove excess shavings, etc.
5. Switch back to synthetic after 1500 miles.

I'm trying to consolidate the information he gave.
Does this sound right?

D Rod, if you read the entire article, including the dyno runs, I don't think he's saying go full throttle right off the bat. Here's what I plan to do:

Leave the dealer and drive moderately about 5 miles to a lesser used highway here in my area. By then the engine will be up to proper operating temp...watch for any traffic.
1) do three (3) runs in 3rd gear at 1/2 throttle from 2500 to 4000 rpm, cruising in between runs for a few miles to let the engine temps equalize
2) do three runs in 3rd gear at 3/4 throttle from 2500 to 5000 rpm, cruising in between runs
3) do three runs in 3rd gear at full throttle from 2000 to 6000 rpm, again letting things equalize in between runs
4) get the oil changed to dino oil

Going to 6000 rpm in 3rd, you will be way over breaking the speed limit, so you need to be extremely careful with any other traffic and cops

You can do it in 2nd but then the bursts are shorter...

 

[Masi992]

Your friend must not sleep with all that driving..impressive

He's a sales rep for a pharma company. Drives LOTS!!

 

[Masi992]

D Rod, if you read the entire article, including the dyno runs, I don't think he's saying go full throttle right off the bat. Here's what I plan to do:

Leave the dealer and drive moderately about 5 miles to a lesser used highway here in my area. By then the engine will be up to proper operating temp...watch for any traffic.
1) do three (3) runs in 3rd gear at 1/2 throttle from 2500 to 4000 rpm, cruising in between runs for a few miles to let the engine temps equalize
2) do three runs in 3rd gear at 3/4 throttle from 2500 to 5000 rpm, cruising in between runs
3) do three runs in 3rd gear at full throttle from 2000 to 6000 rpm, again letting things equalize in between runs
4) get the oil changed to dino oil

Going to 6000 rpm in 3rd, you will be way over breaking the speed limit, so you need to be extremely careful with any other traffic and cops

You can do it in 2nd but then the bursts are shorter...

Agreed. I wouldn't drive until it's at temp (5-7mins). Also engine braking is just as important as the accelerations! BTW no need to do a cool down on the road as he states it later in the "driving" method.

I'm pretty sure the Sonic is dino juice from the factory. Can anyone confirm?

 

[speedog]

I'm pretty sure the Sonic is dino juice from the factory. Can anyone confirm?

The salesperson I got my Sonic from here in Calgary said that all GM vehicles now come with a synthetic oil blend (some organic?), eh.

 

[AxelRipper]

I can virtually guarantee that the engine is shipped with synthetic. If it was shipped with something other than that, we'd be testing on it here in Pontiac, and we sure don't have anything other than Dexos on tap down here.

 

[TravsSonic]

The only thing I personally worry about breaking in is the clutch, and I just drive a much city as I can for 100-150 miles.

I think your gonna be floored when i show you these pics. I took them the other night after i got my old clutch assembly back from Clutch Masters. 100-150 miles will NOT break in these clutches. The pics i'm gonna show you is of a clutch with 5.5k miles on it, and 14 drag launches (some in the 4k range). These clutches assemblies are junk, not because the surface area thats contacting isn't enough. Its because the surface area thats available isn't being used AT ALL.

Cruze/Sonic 1.4 turbo Clutch Assembly Pics


Oh and I agree with this break in process. vrooomm vrroommmmm

 

[Masi992]

I can virtually guarantee that the engine is shipped with synthetic. If it was shipped with something other than that, we'd be testing on it here in Pontiac, and we sure don't have anything other than Dexos on tap down here.

There we have it. Syn fill from the factory. Glad this has been confirmed, finally!!!

 

[Masi992]

I think your gonna be floored when i show you these pics. I took them the other night after i got my old clutch assembly back from Clutch Masters. 100-150 miles will NOT break in these clutches. The pics i'm gonna show you is of a clutch with 5.5k miles on it, and 14 drag launches (some in the 4k range). These clutches assemblies are junk, not because the surface area thats contacting isn't enough. Its because the surface area thats available isn't being used AT ALL.

Cruze/Sonic 1.4 turbo Clutch Assembly Pics


Oh and I agree with this break in process. vrooomm vrroommmmm

Ok. As a dumb dumb, could you explain what I'm looking at here? Why do you think it's not fully engaging? design issue?

We should probably take this over to your clutch thread..

 

[TravsSonic]

Ok. As a dumb dumb, could you explain what I'm looking at here? Why do you think it's not fully engaging? design issue?

We should probably take this over to your clutch thread..

went ahead and made a thread for this topic. I highlighted a couple of the pics to make it a little easier to spot the problem areas.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t639/#post5462

 

[D Rod]

Tryin to get thread back on track.
I think we have a solid confirmation of it shipping with synthetic.
Changed my course of action with Richie's suggestions:

1) Change the oil, since they ship with synthetic, to petroleum.
2) Do three (3) runs in 3rd gear at 1/2 throttle from 2500 to 4000 rpm, allow engine braking in between
3) Do three runs in 3rd gear at 3/4 throttle from 2500 to 5000 rpm, allow engine braking in between
4) Do three runs in 3rd gear at full throttle from 2000 to 6000 rpm, allow engine braking in between
5) Change the oil again (Dino) at ~20 miles to remove excess shavings, etc., after break in
6) (Optional?)Switch back to synthetic after 1500 miles.

So what would be the best dino juice to switch to for this?

 

[Masi992]

So what would be the best dino juice to switch to for this?

What ever cheap stuff you wanna use. Remember it's only in the engine for 200miles or so. No need to change it at 20miles. Take it too at least 150mi if not more.

Remember to change your filter, "after" break in oil change.