new car running in

[Smee]

hello all

spent most of the day having a look around thought i best post about my car lol

i got my hands on a brand new seat ibiza cupra last wednesday. didnt drive it much as i took the show car (fiat brava) to mod nats.

other than the fact it sound like a diesel tractor i am loving it responsive and amazing quick compared to the 1.6 fiat

the dealer told me that the engine have been run in before they are sold, but the guys on SCC reckon i should be taking it super slow for first 1000 miles.. i havent cained it yet i think 3500rpm is max i been up (except the one time i left the lights and wheel spun cos of drain cover)

what do u guys thnk of all the running in business and would i caused any damage??

also i am thinking of getting a momo seat sports strut brace soon would u reckomend one of these

thanks

smee

 

[Numenor]

There was a thread I read somewhere that actually said the opposite, that running the car hard was better on the long run! But im no expert so I dunno, I got my car yesterday and just drove normally not worrying wether I went over 3500 revs or not!

 

[sssstew]

yes correct, dont granny it around, once up to temp drive as normal using the range. for alot more info and our thoughts on running in TDI's have a look in the TDI FAQ pinned to the top of the TDI section.

 

[muddyboots]

Well I've never felt happy with the "cane it from day 1" view, I just ran mine carefully to start with, no undue labouring and no excessive revs for the first few hundred miles.

Was running like new when I got rid at just under 80k miles.

BTW the performance and economy will keep improving over MANY miles.

 

[dmjw01]

I'd agree that you shouldn't "cane it" from new, but you definitely shouldn't baby it either. For the first 1000 miles, 3500 RPM sounds like a sensible upper limit once the engine's warm. Do give it plenty of boost right from the start though - it's very important that you get the piston rings pushed out against the cylinder walls, and boost will do that.

 

[gazjones]

think its best to drive is carefully for first 1k and dont loads the engine to much reving should be ok but not with lots of load!

 

[sssstew]

courtesy and demonstrators dont get that benefit and yet people are willing to buy them. driven hard from the start has given me no probs and also Ians old sooty was the same. once up to temp i dont see the problem.

 

[dmjw01]

think its best to drive is carefully for first 1k and dont loads the engine to much reving should be ok but not with lots of load!

Then you don't understand what's actually happening when you're running the engine in. During break-in, it's absolutely critical to get the piston rings pushed out hard against the cylinder walls so that they wear away some of the hone pattern and make a good seal. This can only happen by getting enough cylinder pressure, which pushes the rings outwards. If you fail to do this, you can get an oil glaze forming in the cylinder hone pattern which means you'll never get a good seal. At worst, this can mean oil consumption and poor compression. Treating the engine too gently in the first few thousand miles could be the worst thing you'll ever do to it.

 

[gazjones]

Then you don't understand what's actually happening when you're running the engine in. During break-in, it's absolutely critical to get the piston rings pushed out hard against the cylinder walls so that they wear away some of the hone pattern and make a good seal. This can only happen by getting enough cylinder pressure, which pushes the rings outwards. If you fail to do this, you can get an oil glaze forming in the cylinder hone pattern which means you'll never get a good seal. At worst, this can mean oil consumption and poor compression. Treating the engine too gently in the first few thousand miles could be the worst thing you'll ever do to it.

fair point but ive read books and everytihing saying you shouldnt drive it hard till its settled in a bit, im not saying drive it slow but dont rage the hell out of it!

 

[dmjw01]

fair point but ive read books and everytihing saying you shouldnt drive it hard till its settled in a bit, im not saying drive it slow but dont rage the hell out of it!

I don't think we're disagreeing on that. I'm not talking about driving it "hard" - just make sure you get the turbo giving a decent amount of boost from time to time. You could easily do it by changing your speed on the motorway... accelerating from 70 to 80 with a decent push on the throttle every now and then would do the trick. Nothing too dramatic.

 

[gazjones]

ow yea agreed there needs a bit of pushing to bed it in cant granny it in though!