Question: How seriously should I take the fact that Polaris in the user manual says to "Avoid Downshifting" with less than 500 miles?

I would hope Polaris is saying don't downshift to use engine-braking during the 500 mile break-in period.

Around 2007-8, I read a post about break-in procedures being necessary or not and chose to follow the author's idea that with modern production tolerances being much tighter than they were years ago, most existing break-in procedures were just holdovers from the traditional break-in procedures and have just broken-in my vehicles since by treating them like I stole them and operated them with respect while still stretching them through their entire range of operation.

Quote from EnjoyLifeToday

Question: How seriously should I take the fact that Polaris in the user manual says to "Avoid Downshifting" with less than 500 miles? Anyone have thoughts on this? 2020 R Manual Transmission, brand new.

I have a habit of down shifting from previous vehicles.

On my first Slingshot --- 2015 got it home late Feb 2015 ... In Mar started driving it like I stole it. and a week later was in for 'first' service. Another story, but my second Slingshot was a 2016 picked on a Wed am in Sept and 'first' service was on Saturday with almost 1,500 miles. Those both had the GM 2.4 Ecotec engine and the 2016 now has 80,000+ miles and runs like a champ. I would not be afraid to push your new toy a little. ENJOY.

Just make sure to do the 500 mile service and you should be good.

I believe the reference is to aggressive downshifting to slow the vehicle with the engine/drivetrain, creating a sudden spike in rpm's. I don't think normal downshifting as the vehicle slows is an issue.

C;mon man! You've had this thing for over 12 hours. Show us a pic!

And welcome to the party.

Quote from SlingLow

I believe the reference is to aggressive downshifting to slow the vehicle with the engine/drivetrain, creating a sudden spike in rpm's. I don't think normal downshifting as the vehicle slows is an issue.

C;mon man! You've had this thing for over 12 hours. Show us a pic!

And welcome to the party.

Yeap, I would agree with this, besides the new Autodrive downshifts when coming to a stop and there is nothing that the driver can do to control that.

Quote from EnjoyLifeToday

...No customization's yet. Taking it in next week for the first set of customizing.

Enjoy your first (and only) week of not spending too much money on it!!

If you have spare cash, lots of us can help give ideas how to part with it. Welcome, enjoy the ride.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Polaris Slingshot Forum mobile app

We’re just like the government - we like to spend other people’s money (OPM)...

Quote from EnjoyLifeToday

Question: How seriously should I take the fact that Polaris in the user manual says to "Avoid Downshifting" with less than 500 miles? Anyone have thoughts on this? 2020 R Manual Transmission, brand new.

I have a habit of down shifting from previous vehicles.

I do not recall having any issues with down shifting the SlingShot when new, but that was nearly five and a half years ago?

Bill

Quote from EnjoyLifeToday

This is it, right after it was offloaded from the truck yesterday. No customization's yet. Taking it in next week for the first set of customizing.

The first thing I usually tell the new guys is get lots of seat time in before going to crazy with the mods. Lots of fun things we can do with this great machine --- my 'mod' of choice is "gas" cause driving it is the most fun.

Drive it like it belongs to your brother-in-law.

Quote from EnjoyLifeToday

I agree i am not going to get carried away. I like it a lot already the way it is.

I assure you, we will remember you said this.