Tips for breaking in a brand new engine?

[Corey_R]

30,000km service has come up with Golf GTI now 18 months old. So far no oil used

Hmmm. By my calculation, you had 4.6L in there from the factory, 4.6L in there from the 1st service and now another 4.6L in there from the 2nd service, so that's 13.8L used.

Correct me if I'm wrong - I think the only GTI's using oil are the chipped up versions that are driven on the track.

You're sorta wrong. It's not whether it's chipped or not, it's how well the car handles and how well the driver can drive. It's the G-forces of cornering on a racetrack which causes the issue with oil in GTI's. It has been corrected in newer production, but your GTI would also be affected by this. However, the issue is only on the track. Driving around on the roads, and they're "fine".

[Transporter]

Every combustion engine will burn some oil. The hotter it gets, more of the oil will be burned.

Also, if you change the oil every 7,500km you will find out that you don't need to top up as often and engine will stay in a better condition for longer, burning less oil through its life. But you will use more oil regardles of the driving conditions because you will do more oil changes.

[cavinsoo]

Hi, I've read a lot here and there. I've got a question. A very simple answer will do.

To run in the engine, do I drive it in S or M(more aggressive than S).

Many thanks!!

[mythik]

Drive it like you stole it - S Mode.

[Diesel_vert]

Hi, I've read a lot here and there. I've got a question. A very simple answer will do.

To run in the engine, do I drive it in S or M(more aggressive than S).

Many thanks!!

D until the the engine warms up, then S or M at your discretion, depending on the traffic conditions and/or likelihood of police presence.

[Transporter]

... and using common sense, too.

[Farkinbang]

I think even if I was meant to drive like a Nanna for the first 1000km's there would be absolutely no chance of me doing this!! I would give myself about 100m from the dealership before I was flicking the shifter to M and seeing if it is possible to put my right boot through the firewall!!

[ido09s]

Given not one person in this thread supplies the warranty on your engine i would suggest following the manufactirers recommendations when running an engine in, which is drive it normally for 1500klms. Not rape it like some suggest

I have run in my Tiguan for 1500klms now and it goes very well and uses no oil. I ran my old S3 in the same way and it went very well and used no oil either. The whole babying an engine turns it into a slow car is all old school myth

Obviously raping it from day one doesnt harm the engine, but good luck if something breaks as i believe the logs the ECU take will only prove you were driving it against the dealers advice for running in an engine and may void a warranty. We all know they will get out of fixing anything if they can do so

[Candyman]

Warranty has nothing to do with the dealer.

The warranty is not void if you do not use the suggested run in process - there is no requirement by the manufacturer implied or stated.

[Diesel_vert]

Given not one person in this thread supplies the warranty on your engine i would suggest following the manufactirers recommendations when running an engine in, which is drive it normally for 1500klms. Not rape it like some suggest

Although I do advocate the run-in method as stated in the owner's manual, I also believe that a 'hard' run-in won't really harm the engine either.

It's a mass produced road engine for Joe Public - they're not that delicate.

I have run in my Tiguan for 1500klms now and it goes very well and uses no oil. I ran my old S3 in the same way and it went very well and used no oil either.

You are very fortunate indeed!

The whole babying an engine turns it into a slow car is all old school myth

I agree. If the responses on this forum are anything to go by, there is no substantial link to that and the choice of run-in method.

In regards to the VAG engine oil consumption problem, I believe that is mainly due to a fault in the construction/production process.

Obviously raping it from day one doesnt harm the engine, but good luck if something breaks as i believe the logs the ECU take will only prove you were driving it against the dealers advice for running in an engine and may void a warranty. We all know they will get out of fixing anything if they can do so

The dealer would have no grounds to deny a warranty claim based on one's run-in method - even if it were logged by the ECU (which I highly doubt is the case).

[Buller_Scott]

I prefer to run all my engines in a bit harder than your average Joe (whilst still showing mechanical sympathy)...

damn straight. spank that isht (once warm, of course).

funnily enough, "strategic, gentle running in" hasnt seemed to work for any of the clio RS boys, who all seem to come back from dyno days feeling a little disappointed (as far as i've read, no one is making advertised stock power of 200, many only coming up to between 180 and 192/3 at most).

the evo magazine long termer, on the other hand, which had been thrashed like a rental car..... dyno'd 6hp MORE than advertised stock (200). no mechanical issues either, iirc.

so yeah. thrash it regularly.

p.s. this isnt a dyno discussion - the stuff i've read is mainly uk based, so there is no "the high numbers were posted in dense winter air, whereas the low numbers were posted in the middle of the simpson desert" factor.

[brad]

Obviously raping it from day one doesnt harm the engine, but good luck if something breaks as i believe the logs the ECU take will only prove you were driving it against the dealers advice for running in an engine and may void a warranty. We all know they will get out of fixing anything if they can do so

I've had plenty to do with fleet cars over the years & generally the users hand in their old keys, grab the new ones & continue driving as before. I'm not sure any of them are aware of the term "run-in".

Is anyone actually seen a warranty claim denied because of the big-brother ECU logs?

[Rawcpoppa]

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.


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[nat225]

i think all cars manual books specify how to run in according to what they think is best for long term longevity of the car. check the index at the back section of the book.

[Diesel_vert]

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.

Book says (or would say) to drive normally and avoid very high revs for the first 1500 km.

Internet says to thrash it as soon as the engine reaches operating temperature.

Go with whatever suits you.