Denver driving and the Rockies

[Xabu]

Excited to be picking up my Telluride in Denver this week. Heading home to WA and was curious if any owners in the Denver area have recommendations on heading west? I've poured over maps and know the major routes, but wanted to be conscientious of the 600 mile break-in and not stressing it out too much on the maiden voyage.

4-5 Days to get home (1,600-2,000 miles):

• Would I-70 be the worst choice?
• Head south and loop all the away around and up through Moab or Zion NP?
• Head North enjoy Wyoming and Montana?

 

[ksyrah]

Excited to be picking up my Telluride in Denver this week. Heading home to WA and was curious if any owners in the Denver area have recommendations on heading west? I've poured over maps and know the major routes, but wanted to be conscientious of the 600 mile break-in and not stressing it out too much on the maiden voyage.

4-5 Days to get home (1,600-2,000 miles):

• Would I-70 be the worst choice?
• Head south and loop all the away around and up through Moab or Zion NP?
• Head North enjoy Wyoming and Montana?

My 2 cents..... North and then West would avoid the higher passes and should have less traffic once you are North of Cheyenne. Anecdotally, I-70 and I-80 will have a lot more semi's then I-90. More history that way if you are into that. But, rural roads in the Telly are a blast.

 

[Wiluride]

If it were me... I'd just find the most scenic route possible and not worry much about break-in...

All you really need to do is try to not drive at the same RPM for long periods and don't like drag race.

 

[DCTellEX]

Hey all! I'm picking my Telluride up on 5/2.... what is this 600 mile break in? Not trying to hijack here so obviously answer the OP first, but I'm hoping to understand the concerns!

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[Nightsky93]

Hey all! I'm picking my Telluride up on 5/2.... what is this 600 mile break in? Not trying to hijack here so obviously answer the OP first, but I'm hoping to understand the concerns!

-Do not race the engine.
-While driving, keep your engine speed between 2000 rpm and 4000 rpm.
-Do not maintain a single speed for long periods of time, either fast or slow. Varying engine speed is needed to properly break-in the engine.
-Avoid hard stops, except in emergencies, to allow the brakes to seat properly.
-Don't tow a trailer during the first 1200 miles (2000km) of operation

 

[Xabu]

Hey all! I'm picking my Telluride up on 5/2.... what is this 600 mile break in? Not trying to hijack here so obviously answer the OP first, but I'm hoping to understand the concerns!

The owners manual speaks of a 600 mile break in period and provides guidance around the rpms. I believe @Nightsky93 may have quoted the actual manual. My big question was how hard is it to remain within these restrictions driving through the Rockies. Based on the feedback I’m going to be stopping at the scenic views and taking pictures for the first 600 miles

 

[Wiluride]

The owners manual speaks of a 600 mile break in period and provides guidance around the rpms. I believe @Nightsky93 may have quoted the actual manual. My big question was how hard is it to remain within these restrictions driving through the Rockies. Based on the feedback I’m going to be stopping at the scenic views and taking pictures for the first 600 miles

IMHO it'll be easy.

Driving interstate highway is probably the trickiest to do without ending up at the same RPM for a long time.

I personally stuck to mostly 2 lane blacktop roads during my first 500 miles.

If your comfortable driving with the shifter to the left and manually selecting the gear you want, that is one good way to insure your not always driving at the same RPM. Of course I would let it automatically shift part of the time too, just to make sure the transmission gets exercise too... Sport mode is also a good choice because it tends to stay in the individual gears over a wider RPM range than Comfort or Eco modes.

I haven't driven in mountain areas in many years, but I seriously doubt that the Telluride would struggle much in the mountains.

 

[Christi]

Excited to be picking up my Telluride in Denver this week. Heading home to WA and was curious if any owners in the Denver area have recommendations on heading west? I've poured over maps and know the major routes, but wanted to be conscientious of the 600 mile break-in and not stressing it out too much on the maiden voyage.

4-5 Days to get home (1,600-2,000 miles):

• Would I-70 be the worst choice?
• Head south and loop all the away around and up through Moab or Zion NP?
• Head North enjoy Wyoming and Montana?

I haven't had the pleasure of breaking in a new car yet but have driven that area a lot. I would probably avoid taking 70 as you would be getting those RPMs up right out of Denver. And the Semi traffic is very heavy in that area. Once you cross into Utah, it is a beautiful stretch of road where I learned my Dodge Dakota had a governor that shut the engine off at 120 mph. Very easy to speed there without realizing you are. I do love my Utah mountains. Would be a great drive if not for breaking in. I am debating that route for my summer road trip.

I would head to Wyoming. 287 from Denver area to Laramie might be a nice freeway alternative. Haven't driven 287 in a decade so not totally sure.

Congrats on getting your ride and happy safe travels.

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