Tips for breaking in a brand new engine?

[AdamD]

And now, back on topic... *hint hint*

[Candyman]

On this topic of "drive it like you stole it", what are people doing when they get an off the shelf tune applied ?

I know with Subies I had, post dyno tune, I followed directions from the tuner on how to drive the vehicle for a few tanks of fuel.

I imagine this applies even more to off the shelf tunes.

[brad]

After reading through some of this thread I am still confused. Just got a new 1.4 tsi Jetta 118kw and the vehicle manual does not specify how to run in the engine/vehicle.

Yes it does. Look harder. Salesdroid should have also provided advice on running in & regularly checking oil when they did the handover.

[Dr freedom]

Ive always used the motoman method.. used it for years now. I even use it on my r/c cars. Never had an issue.

Im curious as to what Suby tuners your talking about Candy .. Spiro or Nick or Paul or Wymms? I hope it wasnt the hub fool?

[Candyman]

Paul (and backed up by Spiro)

Drive it like you stole it makes no sense unless you stole it.

Not with today's engines

[OttoJon]

Are Golf MK6 factory run-in?

Hi all,

New to the forum and to the world of VW having just picked up a new MK6 Golf GTI DSG. Loving it so far but I've been a bit wary of pushing the revs too much. 500km on the clock now.

So are GTIs run in at the factory these days? I've read/heard many different answers to this and was wondering if anyone has a categoric answer. I've done about 500km so far and have been a bit hesitant to hit the revs too high just yet.

Cheers,
Otto

[Umai Naa!!]

The book says to take it easy for the first 1,000klms. Beyond that, drive it however you like.

[RW1]

Its a www myth about running in at the factory. They whack the engine on the dyno on the factory line for about 15 seconds total, slam the engine to high revs more or less instantly, if it runs and makes 60%ish of its deigned power/torque, they crate and ship to the car assembly plant. Stood there and watched the painful birth they get! Do not remember cooling being connected, just fuel & electrics necessary to run the engine.

You follow the owners handbook to bed in the components of which, engine, gearbox, brakes and suspension all need to be gradually bedded in. They tell you the engine but thats the limiting factor which all the others listed above need the same treatment. Gentle at first, progressively getting normal through to finally full on.

[Guy_H]

At the end of the production line @ Wolfsburg, they run the cars on a set of rollers at full throttle in every gear (hitting the rev limiter - brutal) then several brake tests (must be big inertia rollers).

When we asked about the procedure, they told us if they dont make within 2% of the stated power output, the car is returned to the production line & the engine swapped out.

It also give all brake components a good pressure test.

Believe me, go do the production line tour - it's totally amazing from start to finish, and watching them do this test, you will never bother "running in" a car softly ever again!

[Candyman]

Good to know their equipment is all over the place like dynos here ....

[tonymy01]

Drive it like you stole it. Worked fine for my old WRX, so far seems to not have had any detrimental effects on the Golf (6.5K kms so far).
In fact, the past two weeks it has been really hammering, must have finally worn in and/or the air density and temp is perfect.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[OttoJon]

Some quite different feedback there! I think I may just keep it steady for another 500kms and then the fun can really begin.

[John Deere]

Another point to note is that if you require an oil top-up prior to 15,000km first service; it's worthwhile having your local dealer add the oil as I am lead to believe that they have a certain type of oil available for top-ups. Service Manager Nick has tells me not to add any other type of oil myself (not that I need too) within the first 15,000km, but bring in the GTI for a free top-up with the type of oil that is recommended by Volkswagen. I guess its a similar thing with high risk users and vehicles - better have your oil changed by the dealer within the first 15,000km if required or desired, rather than change the oil yourself for peace of mind.
Cheers
WJ

Anyone know where Nick Lechowicz is working now? Hopefully another VW dealer! I had my MkV GTI serviced at McGrath last two times and didn't see him....last time was particularly disappointing and prompted me to ask where he was, they said he had moved on, a great loss to that dealership IMO.

[popeclement]

I still have my Bora which when I asked the question about breaking in was told to drive it like you normally would. So yes before 1,000kms there were a few red lines met and anything but a steady speed maintained. Engine now 200,000kms old and does not use a drop of oil etc.

[Machine]

Oil

Just to add to this whole oil thing, I've been told by Glenn at Eurotune, who also owns a Golf R and has serviced many a Golf R, that the factory oil is indeed a semi-synthetic "neutral" oil and one should not top up his/her oil before the first change, unless it's done by a qualified workshop who has the correct oil. He also notes that you should get as close as you can to 15,000km in the first year to allow this run-in oil to do its job before the engine oil goes fully synthetic.