Running In

[charv94]

In terms of running in the car,

Is it advisable to keep off the motorways doing long stints.

Ie, i hope to pick the car up on the 1st april ish. But i also wish to go see my grandparents before i turn 21. its like 2 and a half hours down the motorway to hampshire.

Is shoving it into 6th and doing the normal relaxed drive bad for the engine, obviously it'll be constant revs??
In a method to reduce the effects could i just change gear down and up, and maybe vary speed a little?

or would it be bad news to take this journey?

Anyone just ignored the ruling of running in? or are there shock stories of people not running in and facing the consequences?

[SRGTD]

There'll be differing opinions on whether it's necessary to run in a new car nowadays; some would advise driving it like you stole it  , while others would suggest driving it normally, varying your speed and engine revs frequently and don't over-rev the engine. I've always done the latter, and have never had any issues with high oil consumption or engine reliability. I'd try and avoid sitting on a motorway at a steady speed though.

Is there an alternative route you can take on A and B roads? If so, that'll enable you to enjoy your new car on a more interesting route with 'twisty bits', and enable you to appreciate the car's handling, rather than just sitting on a motorway.

[Gnasher]

If I were you (and I did this to mine and it runs sweet as a nut and uses no oil) I'd keep the revs varied and not to rev over 4000rpm up to 500 miles and 5000rpm up to 1000 miles.

Also, don't use full throttle too much (and definitely not for the first 500 miles)

Basically nice and steady for 500 miles and then slowly increase the amount of revs/throttle you let yourself use for the next 1000 after that.

[BigD]

From the manual

"Running-in

http://www.vw-manual.co.uk/img/content/book.pngFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings →http://www.vw-manual.co.uk/img/content/qv_warnung.pngIntroduction 

Please follow the regulations concerning running-in new parts.

Running in a new engine

Any new engine has to be run in during the first 1,500 kilometres. 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.

The style of driving during the first 1,500 kilometres will also affect the engine quality. Even after this time – and especially with a cold engine – drive the vehicle at moderate speeds in order to reduce engine wear and to increase the mileage that the engine can cover. Do not drive at engine speeds that are too low. Always shift down gear if the engine is not running smoothly. The following applies up to 1,000 kilometres:

·         Do not depress the accelerator fully.

·         Do not drive the vehicle at more than 2/3 of the top engine speed.

·         Do not drive with a trailer attached.

From 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres, gradually increase driving performance to top speed and highest engine speed."

[fredgroves]

From 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres, gradually increase driving performance to top speed and highest engine speed."

I'm using this as evidence in my next court appearance..... VW told me to do it m'laud!

[JB GTI]

From 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres, gradually increase driving performance to top speed and highest engine speed."

I'm using this as evidence in my next court appearance..... VW told me to do it m'laud!

 

[charv94]

There'll be differing opinions on whether it's necessary to run in a new car nowadays; some would advise driving it like you stole it  , while others would suggest driving it normally, varying your speed and engine revs frequently and don't over-rev the engine. I've always done the latter, and have never had any issues with high oil consumption or engine reliability. I'd try and avoid sitting on a motorway at a steady speed though.

Is there an alternative route you can take on A and B roads? If so, that'll enable you to enjoy your new car on a more interesting route with 'twisty bits', and enable you to appreciate the car's handling, rather than just sitting on a motorway.

Ill have a look but its about 150 miles on the motorway. i could just do lots of speed variations, convinced saw someone in a gti do it, i sat at 75, he'd overtake, 5 mins later, still sat at 75, id over take him. did it the whole journey!!

The one benefit of the trip is it quickly takes a chunk out of the running in mileage!!

[charv94]

AA says its an hour longer, same mileage. Not sure I'm prepared to do that.

[p3asa]

I picked up my GTD and drove the 400 miles home all on motorway.
Going via A and B roads would have been too painful 
I just varied the revs, up and down the gears 3rd, 4th, 5th start again.
It was a bit of a pain but the car hasn't used a bit of oil and feels fine.

[mcmaddy]

AA says its an hour longer, same mileage. Not sure I'm prepared to do that.

So why bother asking the question? People have advised the best course of action from personal experiences.