Taking a slightly more disciplined approach.....
Chapter and verse from Wolfsburg states....
Booklet 3.2 Tips and Maintenance Page 13. Running in.
Up to 1000km
Do not drive faster than 3/4 of top speed.
Do not use full throttle.
Avoid high engine speeds.
Do not tow a trailer
From 1000-1500km
Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed or engine speed(rpm)
it also states:
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.
For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil consumption reduced.
Tyres and Brake pads
New tyres should be run in carefully in the first 500km.
New brake pads should be run in carefully in the first 200 - 300km.
I firmly believe an initial running period as described above is best. All the bits of the car are constructed to very high engineering tolerances, but there will be small variations. By allowing the engine to 'bed - in' it allows the engine to do the final fine tuning itself.
So take it easy for the first 750 miles then head for the Nurburgring. Once run - in the car is many times tougher than what the average driver can throw at it.
I have heard (don't know where) that the FSI engine management system 'learns' how the car is driven and optimise's settings accordingly. Anybody know if this is true?
