Running in a GTi

[Hartside]

Just been reading on an American site about running in their new GTi's

Does anyone run their new car in as per the handbook/manufacturers instructions? I've always been of the opinion that as long as you aren't revving the nuts off it for the first 500 miles then it's ok. I then gradually ramp up the revs between 500 - 1000 miles. I've done it this way with 6 new cars now and they have all been just fine. The thing I avoid like the plague is labouring the engine at low revs

I changed my opinion on run in when I visited a couple of car plants and seen them coming off the production line. They don't treat them gently and it was onto a rolling road where they were run up to max speed in every gear while all the system checks were done.

Also remember sitting at Calais a good few years back waiting to get on the ferry and they were loading a bunch of 15 brand new Citroens at a time onto the ferry before us. The drivers were racing each other from the compound down to the ferry, full revs, tyre smoke the lot! - then along comes the new buyer and treats it with kid gloves!

[Ess_Three]

I've never really run any car in I've bought.
you use common sense - you don't thrash it when cold, you don't sit on the limiter or labour it, take it easy whilst the tyres bed in and you make sure nothing is going to fall off...and cool it down at the end of a blast.
Other than thet, just use it.

If it breaks, the dealer will fix it.

[Snoopy]

Depends how long your going to keep it how it gets treated in its early years.

[Duncreflex]

I've had my GTI a week and got 400 miles on it. They've been steady miles, less than 3000 revs. The next 500 will continue to be steady, but I’ll progressively vary the revs a wee bit more. After 1000 I'll feel a lot more comfortable giving it some welly. 

I can’t say this is a tried & tested method as this is the first new car I’ve owned. However so far so good.

[H12]

I've had my GTI a week and got 400 miles on it. They've been steady miles, less than 3000 revs. The next 500 will continue to be steady, but I’ll progressively vary the revs a wee bit more. After 1000 I'll feel a lot more comfortable giving it some welly. 

I can’t say this is a tried & tested method as this is the first new car I’ve owned. However so far so good.

I've been doing the same. Just crept over the 400 mile mark and am giving it a little more stick every now and then and will carry on like this for the next few hundred fun filled miles.. Working out about 32 - 33 mpg which I'm more than happy with seeing as the engine is still pretty tight. Had to put in a bit of oil as well but the dealer told me to expect this so no probs 

[Snoopy]

^ Thats normal so for once they have not lied 

[H12]

^ Thats normal so for once they have not lied 

Ha ha.. still haven't got the letter confirming the free service though so don't give them too much of a compliment