Hi All,
I picked up my new truck last weekend, a 06 Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab, Long Bed. What is considered to be the normal break-in period for the Duramax and should it be babied during that period? I want to tow my camper (7000Lbs) on a hunting trip in mid Oct, how many miles do you think it needs to have before I start towing with the truck. This is my first diesel vehicle (other than my John Deere), I know that your supposed to baby gas engines for about the first 500 miles or so.
Thanks for the help/Advice

They say the same....about 500. But since you are not towing that much weight, I say put as many as you can before your trip, then tow away.

Best article I have found to explain, in layman's terms, how to go about breaking in a modern diesel:
http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?Breaking%20in%20a%20Diesel%20Engine

You definitely do not want to baby the engine (gas or diesel), nor over do it.

Drive is like you stole it :ro)

As you see, there tend to be two camps on breaking it in: (1) follow the instructions in the manual (drive it like an old lady for the first 500); and (2) drive it like you stole it.

I'm not sure which, if either, is better. Do some research, pick one, and good luck.

I fall in to the drive it softly for the first 500, change fluids, drive it harder for the next 300, then hammer it as you like after that. To each his own.

Bill

break it in like you are going to drive it!!!

I test drive like I stole it, so yours has probably been beat on by someone already unless the mileage was under 5.

I test drive like I stole it, so yours has probably been beat on by someone already unless the mileage was under 5.

A truly excellent reason to demand a truck with almost no miles. If I order a vehicle, part of the contract is always that the vehicle will not be used for test drives, demos, etc.

Bill

Follow manufacturers instructions. Likely only they have enough "experience" to know. Further more if they stake a warranty on it that is better then what you would get from others, which without enough experience amounts to only an opinion.