Running in to Cornwall from Suffolk!

[Mk1Cortina1964]

Being an old-timer, I was brought up on treating new engines with kid gloves for the first 500miles or they would break!

Looking at the dates for delivery that I have been given, I will need to drive my new 1.2TSi SE manual from home in Suffolk to Sennen Cove in Cornwall in two days (120 miles + 320 miles) after only doing about 100 local miles prior to this.

Any tips about how to drive to achieve the best running in results - e.g. isn't a steady 70mph for hours on end bad for running in a new engine? - I seem to recollect a variety of speeds is recommended, and not to exceed 60mph, but it is going to take all day to get there at a constant 70 (barring hold-ups)!

Any advice welcome.

Bernard.

 

[ma9mwah]

from the manual

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.

 

[Mk1Cortina1964]

Thanks - very useful.

All I need to know now is the maximum recommended engine speed on a 1.2 petrol and then do the maths! Any offers where the red line is from someone who has their car please?

 

[ma9mwah]

I would say ~6k red line, so if you keep it to below 3.5-4k to start off with you'll be fine

 

[Fred99]

I would say ~6k red line, so if you keep it to below 3.5-4k to start off with you'll be fine

The 1.2 TSI runs at about 27mph per 1000 rpm in top gear so if you follow the guide figures, at 3500 rpm you can cruise at 95mph!

Have a good trip.

 

[Mk1Cortina1964]

Many thanks for that - all makes sense.

I don't think I've ever done 4000 rpm anyway (no traffic lights in rural Suffolk; also too many sugar beet lorries and suicidal pheasants, deer and hares!), and a nice (legal) cruise westward down the motorways in 6th should be no problem at all.

 

[Mk1Cortina1964]

Thanks Fred99 - here is the place we are going to be staying at - our cottage is right across the road from the life-boat station at 1 minute 1 second. Hope the weather improves by then!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xKEPYHFstaI

Bernard.

 

[Andy]

Things have come on a bit Bernard from the Mk1 Cortina *pauses to reflect* an iconic range.

Common sense will see you good, dont thrash it, dont let the engine labour, think of the 1st 1k miles as an extended driving test

Thereafter the most important thing for any engine longevity imo is to let the engine fully warm up to the normal temp before putting any stresses on it.

Enjoy the car and the trip, take a paddle just incase tho


Collecting mine on Saturday, seems like time has stood still for ages, nearly there.

 

[sootytorques]

3 years ago bought 2 new hyundai i30 diesel's, one was driven like a ***** & the other driven fairly hard from day one, car driven like ***** used more oil, worse mpg & performance no where near as good.
When gently driven car got changed for new ibiza 1.2 tsi, picked up from dealer & done a 300 mile round trip, exceeded 70 mph & no porblems & no oil used, now upto 4500 miles.
New cars dont really need running in.