Running in a new engine ?

[pompeydave]

Evening everyone,
got my new Ibiza 110 FR yesterday and very pleased with it , have one question about running in the engine .
Does anybody actually do it these days ? Or just drive like you want to ?.
Seat manual gives lots of info about using low throttle for 1st 600miles etc. I must say the engine feels tight at the moment and I’m sure the salesman‘s 95bhp demo was quicker but it had a few thousand miles on. Can anybody share experiences from new like myself as this is my 1st new car I’ve owned , usually have 20,000 + on.
thanks guys

 

[SRGTD]

@pompeydave; I tend to drive a new car ‘normally’ (but then my normal may not be the same as other people’s normal ?) and just take a few common sense precautions;

• for the first few hundred miles (600 miles / 1,000 kms) avoid labouring the engine or red lining it, vary the engine revs frequently / change gear frequently so the engine isn’t running at the same rpm for prolonged periods.
• always let the engine oil get up to optimum operating temperature before driving enthusiastically - not just when the car’s new but always.
• bed the brakes in and avoid hard braking for the first 200-300 miles unless it’s necessary in an emergency situation.
• bear in mind that the tyres may still have some of the mold release agent on the tread from the tyre manufacturing process making the tread slippery, therefore traction may be compromised for the first 100 miles or so until any residual release agent has been scrubbed off the tread.
• check fluid levels regularly as a new engine may use some oil during the first few thousand miles. Also, it’s not uncommon for there to be air locks in the cooling system. If there are any then they should be purged over time, resulting in a drop in coolant level in the cooling system expansion tank.

Enjoy your new car ??.

 

[rafletcher]

Running in is really a thing of the past, along with the (full of metal bits) “running in” oil change at 1000 miles. Modern engines are made to such accurate tolerances it really isnt necessary, but people (including me ?) tend not to rag a car straight out of the box.

 

[pompeydave]

Thanks guys , I’m doing a lot of town driving so revs are all over the place at the moment but I guess that’s ok.
just taking it easy but so far mpg is excellent , exactly what I am after after chopping in the 200bhp Astra.

 

[NicoleFRSport]

I stuck to relaxed driving for the first 500 miles say no more than 3k revs then after that drive as normal. Not sure if it's needed really but I feel like all the drive train needs bedding in a little before going full revs.

 

[SRGTD]

I stuck to relaxed driving for the first 500 miles say no more than 3k revs then after that drive as normal. Not sure if it's needed really but I feel like all the drive train needs bedding in a little before going full revs.

Unless it’s a lease car, then drive it like you stole it from day one ?.

 

[pompeydave]

Unless it’s a lease car, then drive it like you stole it from day one ?.

no it’s a privately purchased car ….but yes I get what you mean lol

 

[Woody_72]

I think the worst thing you can do to a new engine is driving at the same revs all the time. Stay well away from the rev limiter but otherwise drive it vigorously.

 

[pompeydave]

I think the worst thing you can do to a new engine is driving at the same revs all the time. Stay well away from the rev limiter but otherwise drive it vigorously.

Yep will do , I’m driving around town at the moment so all types of revs but not redline revs .

 

[KXL]

Just drive it like you would everyday, just keep it to within 4k rpms and try not to put your foot flat at all for the first 6-800 miles. After that, once the engine is warmed up, you do not have to worry. I'm having this same 'fun' with a similar 1.0TFSI 110 that only has 550miles so far. At least I have the MHEV helping me fill the gaps between 1-2k rpms in a larger car.

 

[pompeydave]

Thanks KXL sound advice , yes a little electric wouldn’t go amiss lol

 

[Lev80]

Same here, Got the FR 110 DSG got 220km on it so far, driving it like a 90 yo. My problem is that I need to do a stretch of motor way to get to town and that means the revs quite steady during that stretch.
Not sure if its a good idea to change a gear 1 down and up on the motor way, afraid to over-rev it.

 

[Firaxis]

I actually think with modern PPF / DPF cars (especially performance models) it does more harm than good treating it with padded gloves. Ford Focus ST lit up like an Xmas tree because it was clogged up due to me driving around like a slug, same happened to a Kia Stinger and the same happened with my Cupra 300. They need long drives or a bit of extended spirited driving from time to time..

However that doesn't mean ragging it past the red line when cold as soon as its been delivered.. I had a company BMW with 130,000 miles on the clock by the time it left and because it wasn't technically mine I just ran it however I felt. Didn't skip a beat, more than can be said for my over nannied personal cars.

 

[KXL]

Same here, Got the FR 110 DSG got 220km on it so far, driving it like a 90 yo. My problem is that I need to do a stretch of motor way to get to town and that means the revs quite steady during that stretch.
Not sure if its a good idea to change a gear 1 down and up on the motor way, afraid to over-rev it.

I did a trip to Scotland and back to London when it was still at 600 miles (3 days later it has 1500 miles), so whenever I was coming to a roundabout, I engine braked a little, getting the revs up to around 4k, and when accelerating out, brought it up to 3k ish before upshifting (on paddles). Apparently not good for new-ish engine to just keep to same revs for long periods of time. I don't think you should keep it one gear lower, just maybe shift down when slowing and change up a bit later than normal when re-accelerating.

 

[Lev80]

I did a trip to Scotland and back to London when it was still at 600 miles (3 days later it has 1500 miles), so whenever I was coming to a roundabout, I engine braked a little, getting the revs up to around 4k, and when accelerating out, brought it up to 3k ish before upshifting (on paddles). Apparently not good for new-ish engine to just keep to same revs for long periods of time. I don't think you should keep it one gear lower, just maybe shift down when slowing and change up a bit later than normal when re-accelerating.

My highway trips are around 15 to 20 min then town driving mostly then 15 to 20 min highway drive back , So its not terribly long trips but still good to know more about this matter.