Break in recommendations for 5.3L GM

[V1]

If you ask 5 car people how to break in an engine, you will always get 6 opinions. They all probably have some validity, but I believe that with most production vehicles, you can’t really mess anything up if you’re using some level of common sense. Even for those folks who plan to drive their cars to the bitter end will find everything else falling apart before the engine finally quits.

Im no expert of anything, but I’ve gathered that there may be more to break-ins than just massaging an engine into its own existence. Like smooth wear-in of transmission, transfer case, and rear diff internals.

 

[bullwinkle]

Wow-$82,000 dollars? That’s more than every vehicle I’ve ever owned COMBINED! As well as the purchase price of my house! No wonder GM (& Ford) don’t want to build cars anymore! I’m with ^, engine braking downhill & reasonable driving is the best way to break in a new engine.

 

[JavierH19]

You don't understand-according to BITOG is should have blown up already.

No one says it will blow up. The concern is more accelerated wear in the long run like low oil pressure and severe consumption.

 

[JavierH19]

Your in Texas right? How many 8,000 foot mountain passes do you tow REGULARLY?

Come back after at least 250k not just 45k.

 

[wpod]

Bottom line let it get to operating temps before wide open throttle and don't hold wot for long periods of time. . Take it easy for a few hundred miles. Change all the fluids sooner that later. enjoy.

 

[wpod]

.

I seriously wonder if my break in and early oil change did a little something negative and led to oil consumption for me? Wish I had left that factory fill in there till 5,000 miles and didn’t take that early trip. But who knows?

No. no and more no. I worked in a fleet type operation the vehicles would be loaded and put into service instantly and employees do not care about break in voodoo, you just had a lemon of a vehicle. leaving the filthy factory fill doesn't do a thing.

 

[wpod]

I like to get some engine braking happening during break in.

Not more than 3,000 rpm on deceleration, on a warm engine, but I feel it helps seat the rings.

The rings will with out any voodoo will seat.

 

[doublebase]

No. no and more no. I worked in a fleet type operation the vehicles would be loaded and put into service instantly and employees do not care about break in voodoo, you just had a lemon of a vehicle. leaving the filthy factory fill doesn't do a thing.

I worked for a fleet too. Same thing. We’d end up dumping most of them at 100,000 miles anyway. Occasionally we’d keep a few and push them to 150,000 miles or so, never anything above that.

We were running 5w30 conventional in just about everything for 7,500 miles. And we would also carry 5w20 for the Fords. Same thing, 7,500 mile changes.

We did lose some motors on occasion but it was more because of defect. A burnt valve here, a collapsed lifter there, rod knock, piston slap. Saw a few people miss their services and come in with 13,000 miles on conventional. That sort of thing.

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

I’m sorry, but GM discontinued putting in steering wheel locks due to the chip shortage? What is this the 1960’s again?

For theft reasons I wouldn’t want a vehicle without a steering wheel lock.

Hopefully they at least substituted the electronic steering wheel lock for a mechanical one, but I just researched it and didn’t find anything confirming that.

GM even created an actual RPO code for vehicles without the steering wheel lock. That’s a pretty big deal. If these in fact have no steering wheel lock whatsoever, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if insurance companies begin forcing higher rates.
View attachment 90395

What's the RPO code? I dunno, with all the electronics I don't see anyone hot wiring this. And if they can get through the other safeguards, I bet they could remote disable the steering wheel lock too

 

[RhondaHonda]

Of note for anyone with the new generation Yukon/Tahoe/Suburban with the 5.3. My wife’s makes a gurgling sound at times, sounds like it’s coming from behind the glovebox area. I’m wondering if there’s air trapped in the cooling system somewhere but curious if anyone else has heard this?

 

[cpayne5]

I'm seeing that smaller intervals are recommended with the cylinder deactivation feature. By the way, does your 22 have a four flat towing light hookup? I know it has the seven pin. Hoping it has four flat for our small trailer too.

How was your order process for the '22? You're one of the lucky ones.

Just checked and ours has the 4 pin connector along with the 7 pin.

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

Just checked and ours has the 4 pin connector along with the 7 pin.

Thanks, how convenient! One other random question - if you've used the USB ports. Do they charge at a decent rate? Older cars barely keep a charge and require use of a cigarette lighter charger.

 

[cpayne5]

Thanks, how convenient! One other random question - if you've used the USB ports. Do they charge at a decent rate? Older cars barely keep a charge and require use of a cigarette lighter charger.

My Android phones "charge rapidly". Just as fast as wall wart fast chargers. There is also a wireless charger in the front console. We've only used that once when we had a visiting family member with an iphone and no charger. Seemed to work fine for him.

The 2022s infotainment is Android based, so I never use Android Auto anymore. Google Maps is built in and you can download the popular streaming apps, too. I only connect my phone via Blueooth for calls.

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

My Android phones "charge rapidly". Just as fast as wall wart fast chargers. There is also a wireless charger in the front console. We've only used that once when we had a visiting family member with an iphone and no charger. Seemed to work fine for him.

The 2022s infotainment is Android based, so I never use Android Auto anymore. Google Maps is built in and you can download the popular streaming apps, too. I only connect my phone via Blueooth for calls.

That's good to hear. Coming from 2013 Uconnect as our most advanced in-car system to date, so this will be a welcome upgrade!

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

Not to go too far off-forum, but any recommendations on good GM forums for the Yukon/Suburban/Tahoe/Escalade? Experience is pretty much limited to Miata.net

 

[cpayne5]

That's good to hear. Coming from 2013 Uconnect as our most advanced in-car system to date, so this will be a welcome upgrade!

It works great. I prefer the 2022 system over the 2021. Love having Google Maps integrated.

Not to go too far off-forum, but any recommendations on good GM forums for the Yukon/Suburban/Tahoe/Escalade? Experience is pretty much limited to Miata.net

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/categories/2021-tahoe-yukon-escalade-models.147/

There are a couple Facebook groups for this generation, too. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2098942210225719

There's a guy who frequents both who posts nothing but doom and gloom regarding lifter failures (and supposed design flaws). Ignore him and your experience on either will be fine. lol

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

Thanks! Keeping a positive outlook.

 

[Blinker]

What's the RPO code? I dunno, with all the electronics I don't see anyone hot wiring this. And if they can get through the other safeguards, I bet they could remote disable the steering wheel lock too

Apparently the RPO code for steering column lock delete is R7N. You can probably call your dealer and have them tell you if your truck has it or not.

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

Apparently the RPO code for steering column lock delete is R7N. You can probably call your dealer and have them tell you if your truck has it or not.

The window sticker says that it doesn't have it.

CREDIT - NOT EQUIPPED W/ HEATED -25.00
STEERING WHEEL;
INCLUDES LATER RETROFIT
CREDIT - NOT EQUIPPED WITH -50.00
4-WAY LUMBAR; EQUIPPED WITH
2-WAY LUMBAR
CREDIT - NOT EQUIPPED WITH -50.00
STEERING COLUMN LOCK

Looks like the "later retrofit" may just apply to the heated steering wheel ... wonder if it's possible to retrofit with the steering column lock at a later time. This'll be a big discussion point in about 50 years when these vehicles cross the Barrett Jackson stage.

 

[Blinker]

The window sticker says that it doesn't have it.

CREDIT - NOT EQUIPPED W/ HEATED -25.00
STEERING WHEEL;
INCLUDES LATER RETROFIT
CREDIT - NOT EQUIPPED WITH -50.00
4-WAY LUMBAR; EQUIPPED WITH
2-WAY LUMBAR
CREDIT - NOT EQUIPPED WITH -50.00
STEERING COLUMN LOCK

Looks like the "later retrofit" may just apply to the heated steering wheel ... wonder if it's possible to retrofit with the steering column lock at a later time. This'll be a big discussion point in about 50 years when these vehicles cross the Barrett Jackson stage.

You’re right about that! I don’t think a steering wheel lock is required under federal law if the vehicle has an engine immobilizer (which your truck has). It was just an extra protection system, and just like you said if the thieves can bypass all the electronic computer systems, they can bypass the electronic steering wheel lock.

Just be happy you don’t own a 2016-2018 Silverado/Sierra. Thieves have found a way to just swap the computer under the hood and drive off.

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/c...olen/287-1ebe1575-0540-4527-9b32-eef4264d61be