Yeah, I've read that link before (needs an edit by someone with an eye for web design as its a hideous page). I've done this, more or less, with all my new bikes since 1997. Broken in hard (as they say) with an early oil change.
Like I said, very controversial topic, but there's a lot of evidence which would suggest being gentle with a new engine isn't the best approach. It is up to the person who's shelling out the cash to decide how they want to run in (or not) their new vehicle.
just not thrashing it or max revs too much at first
CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high load for a long time, there is a risk of heat building up in the engine compartment after the engine has been switched off; this could cause engine damage. For this reason, you should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you switch it off.
However I'd be inclined to just take it easy for the last few minutes of your journey to save yourself the hassle of leaving the car idling for 2 mins.
Yes you should, in some situations. See page 146 of the manual (here) which says:
CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high load for a long time, there is a risk of heat building up in the engine compartment after the engine has been switched off; this could cause engine damage. For this reason, you should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you switch it off.
However I'd be inclined to just take it easy for the last few minutes of your journey to save yourself the hassle of leaving the car idling for 2 mins.
This Is what I do,run the last few mins with the turbo off boost, the air rushing through helps to cool it down (off boost its not compressing the air so it's not generating huge amounts off heat and the circulating oil and water is cooling it down towards the same temperature as the rest of the engine) and when you stop the turbo will have cooled down a lot and the oil in the turbo won't cook in a red hot turbo and leave behind small canonised deposits on the bearing etc
Although Don't now 100% if that's still the case with modern oils if it does still cook the oil, but it always used to be one of the reasons for letting the turbo cool down, was because if you just stopped the engine and didn't let it tick over or run the engine off boost for a couple of mins, the oil sitting inside the hot turbo would carbonise inside the turbo bearing and oil seals and eventually damage them
I remember when we had turbo cars,things like cosworth's, renult turbos etc, after a run, the turbo's would glow cherry red from the heat
I always run the last few minutes of any journey off-boost but when I get where I'm going, leave the car running with the bonnet up and the heating set to high temp (air con off), for a couple of minutes. If the fans come on during that time I leave it running until they've stopped.
I'm not sure if:
A) this might actually heat the engine up more and actually cause damage, and
B) I have some sort of obsessive compulsive type disorder that only men in white coats can help me with ("You leave the bonnet up?! Really???!!!! Take him away for shock treatment!")
I really want to take care of this car, as all of us do, and just want to give it the best chance of surviving for a good, long time!
I always run the last few minutes of any journey off-boost but when I get where I'm going, leave the car running with the bonnet up and the heating set to high temp (air con off), for a couple of minutes. If the fans come on during that time I leave it running until they've stopped.
I'm not sure if:
A) this might actually heat the engine up more and actually cause damage, and
B) I have some sort of obsessive compulsive type disorder that only men in white coats can help me with ("You leave the bonnet up?! Really???!!!! Take him away for shock treatment!")
I really want to take care of this car, as all of us do, and just want to give it the best chance of surviving for a good, long time!
I'd leave the bonnet down if the fans were running, that way the air is pulled or pushed round the engine (I'm not sure if the fans push or pull on the leon).
With the bonnet open, it's a bit like trying to cool the inside of the car using the air con, but having all the windows open.
just my opinion though
Seems like sound, bro-science type advice lol. Seriously, that does sound right, especially as the fans on my MK2 Cupra pull the air from the front grill over the engine. Really hard to hear the damn things with the bonnet down though!