Corvette C8 software watchdog will force you to meet engine break-in limits

When you take delivery of a new car like the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette, the temptation to put the pedal to the ground right on the dealership’s lot is very powerful. But it can be disastrous for a new engine.

No worries if this new car is a C8 Generation Corvette – GM has a nifty way of making sure you’re following the engine break-in procedure.

The C8 comes with a V8 that puts out 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, but you can’t use all of that at first. As the Detroit Free Press gears, for the first 500 miles you’re limited to 330 lb-ft in first and second gears. The speed limit is also reduced to 4000 rpm.

In ancient times, a buyer read the owner’s manual and understood the need to relax for a certain number of kilometers. It was very important back then to let all the moving parts familiarize themselves with each other before pushing for peak power.

Mike Kociba, GM’s assistant chief small-block engine engineer, agrees. From the free press:

People were really rolling the dice when they opened the engine too early 10 or 20 years ago

And while improved technology and materials mean engines are more durable today, you still shouldn’t leave the dealership’s lot with the engine slamming from the rev limiter. So, the Corvette has software that limits engine power until you hit 500 miles on the odometer. Ford’s powertrain engineering director Joel Beltramo believes these electronic controls will protect owners, preventing damage from too much fun too soon. From the Freep:

Our engine workmanship and tolerances are now so good, and the software controls that monitor temperature increases are so effective that even if you were to briefly go full throttle 10 minutes after leaving a dealership, the engine will protect itself by the cooling. so as not to harm the life of the engine.

Should you be doing this all the time before the engine is completely broken in? No. That is why we recommend that owners refer to their vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Once owners cross that 500 mile threshold, all they need to do is restart the car to unlock the vehicle’s full power and the 6,600 RPM cap.

Although the Corvette has this nifty built-in safety, owners are still encouraged to read their manuals. Corvette Blogger published the full Corvette break-in procedure directly from the owner’s manual.

So far, the Corvette is the only vehicle in the GM lineup with this technology. Honestly, I think most cars with a specific break-in procedure should have something like this. I wonder how many problems a good break-in prevents in modern cars.