How many miles for running in?

[mcmaddy]

How many miles do people who run a new car in normally give it? 500 miles? 1000 miles? Or do people not run cars in any more?

[Jan DR]

I was told that it is not needed with the current engines. Just ALWAYS wait till the oil reached 90° before going high in rpm.
I recently bought a new GTI CS and I just didn't use the launch control before it had 1000 KM...

(but don't use it now anymore, I really don't like the launch control on this 2 wheel drive car: the wheelspin is terrible and you just can feel that it's bad for the car).

[Jackie Treehorn]

As an overall thing its best to ease any car into its first few hundred miles mainly for the brake pads,discs and tyres, which all need to bed in.  But without babying it, just moderate driving across various gears and speeds when warmed up.  500 miles should do it, then relatively normal after that, but avoid red line (but that's a given for most people anyway).

Production engines don't really need to be run in these days.   

[mcmaddy]

Thanks for the replies.

[Hertsman]

Read varying responses and in the end decided to just go with how feel should treat the R and so at near 2 k I am now not applying my own limits and just driving naturally and to the conditions.

Though the caveat is that do let the engine oil get to at least 90 degree as mentioned above (have selected just 5 and most useful driving data so can cycle through them quite quickly. The performance gauges are nice to show to friends but in reality never use them)

The engine does feel 'looser' than the first 500 miles at least.

The GTD significantly loosened up as the miles crept on and would say that applied to at least 10 k

Must say that loving the R its best car personally driven, its a joy really.

[GeoBog]

It says in the manual: 1000 km

[Talk-torque]

I don't have a rigid schedule, but just try to ensure that the engine doesn't slog, or over rev, for the first 1,000 miles. I start with a loose limit of around 3-4,000 rpm for the first 500 miles, with only part throttle opening, and then gradually increase the revs and throttle over the next 500, when the engine should be fit for anything. Not letting the engine revs drop is as important as over revving, though, so I keep it spinning at 2000 rpm plus. As said above, oil temperature is important, but I just start the engine and wait for the revs to drop back, before driving off, then take it easy for a mile, or so. I do this even with a fully run in engine.

I know the official line is that modern engines don't need running in, but I believe you end up with a better engine by giving it a chance to bed in. It won't wreck itself, if you don't, but, if you do, it will use less oil and might even produce a bit more power. Also, again as said above, other parts of the car, such as the brakes and tyres, benefit from a little gentle treatment for a few miles.

In a few words, don't stress the car for the first 1,000 miles.

[Talk-torque]

It says in the manual: 1000 km

From the Manual:

"Running-in

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings →Introduction 
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.
If your vehicle has been approved for towing a trailer: do not travel with a trailer.
From 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres, gradually increase driving performance to top speed and highest engine speed.

Running in new tyres and brake pads
New tyres and replacing tyres  → Information about wheels and tyres  
Information on the brakes  → Information on the brakes  
 If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil consumption reduced."

[monkeyhanger]

Don't baby the engine or run it in on motorway miles sat in 6th, barely ticking over either. Did that on one Golf and the oil consumption was very high (a litre per 1000 miles), with the fuel consumption pretty low.

Varied engine speeds is the key. I wasn't particularly gentle with my R and I get good (relatively) fuel consumption and it doesn't use a drop of oil between services. The last few VWs i've had have noticeably opened up around 700 miles - I do wonder whether VW build in a "first 1000km" run in program within the ECU on recent VWs.

[Jan DR]

Don't baby the engine or run it in on motorway miles sat in 6th, barely ticking over either. Did that on one Golf and the oil consumption was very high (a litre per 1000 miles), with the fuel consumption pretty low.

Varied engine speeds is the key. I wasn't particularly gentle with my R and I get good (relatively) fuel consumption and it doesn't use a drop of oil between services. The last few VWs i've had have noticeably opened up around 700 miles - I do wonder whether VW build in a "first 1000km" run in program within the ECU on recent VWs.

We know they are creative with software, so it could be the case