New Car Bedding In Info / Help Please

[320i24v]

Hello guys!

Just got word from the dealer that the car has received a VIN number and that it will be sent to transport soon so hopefully I won't have a too long time to wait.

Kindly ask you to advise on the bedding in "ritual" as I want to take good care of the diesel engine.

I was told that I am not allowed for the first 1500 km to exceed a third of the engine's speed or revs ; does this mean that I am not allowed to exceed 70 kmh and 1666 RPMs?

Kindly help me as this sounds a bit weird.

Also, can I drive it for five hours continuously to get a 500 km off from the first drive (for example)?

Thank you!

 

[Andy]

You'll get varied views here but 'running in' isn't the big deal it was.

I collected mine on Saturday and a few times I nudged the ton, but the motor was cruising, the rev counter was barely over 3000 RPM. Drove it no differently from any of the other new cars I've drove back up the motorway and never had a problem with any of them.

The more important thing imo is that your engine is up to the normal running temperature before you place any stresses on it, drive it in an appropriate gear so its not labouring and sit back and enjoy.

 

[ma9mwah]

This is the advice SEAT give. So on the diesels with a redline of ~5000 don't take it to more than 3333rpm (which in 6th gear is anywhere from 167kmh - 194kmh depending which TDI engine/gearbox)

I think the main one is making sure you let the engine warm up and don't labour it at very low RPM.

Running in the engine
A new vehicle should be run in over a distance of 1500 km (1000 miles). For
the first 1000 km (600 miles) the engine speed should not exceed 2/3 of
the maximum permissible engine speed. In doing so, do not accelerate at
full throttle and do not drive with a trailer! From 1000 to 1500 km (600 to
1000 miles) you can gradually increase the engine rpm and road speed.

During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the engine is
greater than later on when all the moving parts have bedded down.

How the vehicle is driven for the first 1500 km (1000 miles) influences the
future engine performance. Subsequently, also drive at a moderate rate, especially
when the engine is still cold: this will lead to less engine wear and
tear and will prolong its useful life.

You should also avoid driving with the engine speed too low. Change down
to a lower gear when the engine no longer runs “smoothly”. If the engine
revs too much, cut fuel injection to protect the engine.[/QUOTE]

 

[320i24v]

Thank you very much!
So does this mean that I am not allowed to go any higher that 3333 RPMs and it is not dependent to the speed or time the engine it runs.

I am asking this because I would like to know if it is OK to take the car for a long drive once received so that I can run the 1500 km distance in 2-3 or 4 days?

 

[Ant]

There's nothing wrong with long drives early on, just take it steady and don't work it too hard until it has a few miles on and you're confident that everything is working as it should. If there are any manufacturing faults in the engine or running gear, they'll probably make themselves apparent in those first couple of days.

As for the rpm, you are correct in saying that the recommended maximum is not dependent on speed or time, but as a general rule (even beyond the running-in period), you shouldn't work an engine hard until it has warmed up. If you're getting a diesel, you'll find that there is rarely any need to be above 3000rpm anyway - maximum torque is available much lower than that.

As others have said - running in isn't as important as it used to be, but if you can do it in a couple of days, it would be silly not to.

 

[Mk1Cortina1964]

320i 24v "I am asking this because I would like to know if it is OK to take the car for a long drive once received so that I can run the 1500 km distance in 2-3 or 4 days?"

I asked a similar question and was similarly reassured that as long as I keep it under 100mph in
6th I would not be exceeding two-thirds of the max engine speed! The key of course is not to "boy-racer" it from the lights etc - that can come later if you are so inclined!

I am driving for 6+ continuous hours down to Cornwall within a week of receiving my car (fingers crossed) so cannot avoid the situation you ask, but people here have been reassuring that it won't be a problem.
Enjoy

 

[Spuddo]

I've had 14-15 new cars, run them all in using exactly the same technique and never had even the smallest issue.

Once it's warm you can do what you like with it. Obviously don't rev it to the red line in every gear all day long and don't practice your Santa Pod launch technique but really once it's warm it'll be fine.

 

[gaffer1986]

Longer drives are better for break in because the engine is up to temp so it's a more gently way of braking it in. With my new 1.4 TSI Leon I avoided 6000 rpm for the first few hundred miles and tried to stick below 4000 rpm most of the time but did give it a bit of stick a few times, couldn't resist it.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

 

[smurf123]

i always run mine in for approx 1000 miles about the same way that seat recomend always have done this but you will not get full mpg till its done about 5000-6000 miles

 

[gaffer1986]

Can't say I noticed any improvement of mpg in my last car over a whole 65k miles. Had mine for a month now and done 3000 miles, mpg seems the same as the very first day.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

 

[320i24v]

Thank you guys for all your help! Really useful information.
Will make sure to let it warm-up, will not rev it above 3000 rpm over the first 1000 miles and will try to finish with the bedding in process in a 2-3 days period.
Now, fingers crossed it will leave the factory this week and will receive as soon as possible.

 

[shadak]

Couple of questions on the running in please. Ony the 1.8 petrol, is the 2/3 from 8k rpm or 6k rpm ? Also should I turn of start/stop during the first 1000 miles?
Also the manual says the revs shouldnt go too low either, with DSG the D mode uses low rpm often. Should I switch to manual or Sport for the first 1000 miles to make sure?

Thanks !

 

[320i24v]

Couple of questions on the running in please. Ony the 1.8 petrol, is the 2/3 from 8k rpm or 6k rpm ? Also should I turn of start/stop during the first 1000 miles?
Also the manual says the revs shouldnt go too low either, with DSG the D mode uses low rpm often. Should I switch to manual or Sport for the first 1000 miles to make sure?

Thanks !

Hello,

You should run it at the maximum of 2/3 out of the total RPMs (and not take into considerations the ones in the red area) and engine speed.
In my case I can rev the engine till 5000 rpm because it is a diesel, so the max for me would be around 3333 RPMs.
Also, it is good to hit those RPMs only after the car has been properly warmed up!

In your case, as I guess that you have 6500 RPMs you should not exceed 4333 RPMs for the first 1000 - 1500 miles.

I would like to know if you guys respect the change gear signals as I have been driving my car in city rush hour traffic, running at 50 MPH in 6th gear (as the car asked) and changing gear at 2000 RPMs at the MAX.

Everyobody told me that I will clog the DPF with this driving style and that I need to change gears at at least 2800 - 3000 RPMs. Even for changing from 1st to 2nd.

Is this true?
What are your opinions on this?

 

[shadak]

Thanks for the confirmation.
I went to 6.5k couple of times in S mode, hopefully it wont be so bad for the engine

 

[320i24v]

Thanks for the confirmation.
I went to 6.5k couple of times in S mode, hopefully it wont be so bad for the engine

Nobody can confirm this. Just make sure the car is properly warmed up and try to let your engine's internals bed in.

 

[Mk1Cortina1964]

"Marry in haste - repent at leisure" - same thing applies to running in your engine.

 

[WeeG]

The fastest cars get there arse kicked from birth

 

[betty_swollox]

The fastest cars get there arse kicked from birth

lol class

 

[sootytorques]

Had 80 mph out of my 1.2 TSI last night with just 30 miles on the clock !!!engine was properly warm, does not harm at all.

 

[G.P]

Had 80 mph out of my 1.2 TSI last night with just 30 miles on the clock !!!engine was properly warm, does not harm at all.

Unless you chat with a VAG R&D engine technician..