We recently reported on this barely-used 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing that’s for sale in Florida and we noticed something peculiar about the vehicle’s digital gauge cluster that we had previously overlooked: the tachometer showed a redline of 4,500 RPM as opposed to the regular 6,500 RPM redline. Having looked into it, it turns out the super sedan’s instrument panel shows a lower redline until the 500 mile break-in period is completed.
It’s our understanding that this is a first for any production GM vehicle powered by the supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8. Notably, the CT5-V Blackwing application sees the highest output from the blown Small Block with a rating of 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque compared to the 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque in the Chevrolet C7 Corvette Z06 and Chevy Camaro ZL1, or the 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque in the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V.
Edit: It’s worth clarifying that this is actually a moving redline that’s based on engine temperature, a feature found on some other GM vehicles, including Corvette models. Once the break-in mileage has been reached, the tachometer will display a 6,500 RPM redline. However, upon vehicle startups thereafter, the redline adjusts dynamically based on engine temperature, and will reach 6,500 RPM once the engine reaches operating temperature.
Additionally, when the vehicle engine is less than 158°F (70°C) – or if the vehicle odometer value is less than 500 miles (805 kilometers) the shift indications are not displayed.
If GM ever discovered that a different temperature point or mileage break-in was optimal for the vehicle’s performance or lifespan, it’s theoretically feasible for The General to introduce revise these features since the Global B electronic architecture that serves as the central nervous system of the CT5-V Blackwing allows for such updates. And, since Global B enables over-the-air (OTA) updates, among other things, such an update could be performed without even taking the vehicle to the dealership.
Nevertheless, the break-in procedure for the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing – as per the owner’s manual – is as follows:
- Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
- Do not exceed 4000 engine rpm.
- Avoid driving at any one constant speed, fast or slow.
- Do not drive above 129 km/h (80 mph).
- Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle when the engine speed will exceed 4000 rpm.
- Do not let the engine labor. Never lug the engine in high gear at low speeds. With a manual transmission, shift to the next lower gear. This rule applies at all times, not just during the break-in period.
- Do not participate in racing events, sport driving schools, or similar activities during this break-in period.
- Check engine oil with every refueling and add if necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may be higher than normal during the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi).
- To break in new tires, drive at moderate speeds and avoid hard cornering for the first 322 km (200 mi). New tires do not have maximum traction and may tend to slip.
- New brake linings also need a break-in period. Avoid making hard stops during the first 322 km (200 mi). This is recommended every time brake linings are replaced.
- Should the vehicle be used for racing or competitive driving (after break-in), the rear axle lubricant must be replaced beforehand.
While it may be a challenge to abide by the restricted usage laid out in the above break-in procedure, doing so will keep the vehicle’s warranty in-tact and should increase the likelihood of a long, trouble-free life.
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Comments
Most of these points seem like sensible advice…though the 80mph limit (1,800rpm?) is kinda random.
At least GM finally updated it, most platforms still say 55 MPH for the first 500 miles in the manual, something that’s been unchanged since at least the 80’s. I doubt anybody follows that advice.
It’s to wear in driveline components like the differential, and also legal butt-covering since new brakes and tires don’t stop as well for the first 100-200 miles.
The corvette redline until 500 miles is reached is 3500 if I remember right. After that if cold it is 3500 and ramps up as the engine heats up. Are you sure the BW is any different? I’d imagine when cold the tach displays a lower redline just like the vet. You really don’t want to WOT a cold engine.
I have a regular V-series CT-5 and it was the same. 4500rpm red-line until 500miles. Same when it is cold, starts at 4500rpm and bumps as the engine warms to operating temperature.
It should be known that cold engines are always run at low speeds. The rest of the vehicle also has to “run in for 500 miles” and later you should only give full throttle after 50 miles at the earliest because then the oil is also warm and the components are tempered. With a cold engine, I would generally freeze the speed at 4000 rpm and only enable it in an emergency. This should be documented so that one can check who is destroying engines.
But let’s be honest, why full throttle and also race track when you can cruise calmly and serenely on the country road with a beautiful V8!
Note: I don’t like race tracks, full throttle and exhaust pops like with the silly small car turbos!
GM has had this feature on performance applications since at least 2014. It is a visual tachometer thing only, the engine will still wind to redline and have full power.
The C8 Corvette has a torque limiter for the first 500 miles.
Never heard of a torque limiter Sam. Whats that?
Modern ECUs are constantly computing engine output torque (roughly proportional to fueling). Driveline components have torque limits, particularly automatic transmissions during a shift. Torque is also limited during a traction control event.
In fact, on GM vehicles for the last ~10 years, your pedal position commands torque, so the Corvette torque limiter is basically a pedal position limit.
The C8 corvette limits engine torque output in the lower gears which I believe is 1st, 2nd and 3rd only for the first 500 miles by electronically controlling the throttle body opening . If one could see a tuning graph that shows throttle body opening percentages, WOT (wide open throttle) in the lower gears may register a 50 or 60 % throttle opening versus 100 percent thus reducing torque load for the dual clutch transmission (DCT). Once your in the higher gears there is no torque reduction taking place.
In my experience, the worst offenders are the dealership sales guys. I test drove an LT1 with five miles on it and the sales guy was urging me to go WOT. I refused to do it.
My CT5 Premium Luxury 3.0 Twin Turbo also did this.
This practice was a common one back in the 60’s. My father bought a new Pontiac every two years and had to follow the same break in period.
On a different note, anyone out there know where I can get an EGR delete kit for a 2004 1/2 Kodiak? Also a larger radiator. It doesn’t take much for my truck to get to and over 200 degrees.
Thanks
This makes sense. And stay with the same brand, type, weight of engine oil throughout the life of the engine and recommend same to next owner. Following this and with proper driving techniques you can get 500+K out of an engine before anything needed to block and heads guts.