Tips for breaking in a brand new engine?

[Corey_R]

In Corey_R's post, he suggests that the Golf's (R at least) continue to pump oil to the turbo.
This is a great backup, but you shouldn't need to put your car in that position that it really needs to cool down after you have stopped.

Agreed. Running it easy for the last 10 mins before turning it off is the best way. But it's nice to know Volkswagen have thought about the "oil issue after turning off the engine" and come up with a solution for us anyway

[dave_r]

Maybe with turbos 20 years ago hehe

[Billecartz]

Hey guys,

I started another thread with this question in it however i thought it was worth starting a thread specifically dedicated to the topic as there seems to be mixed opinions.

What are your tips to breaking in a new engine of a GTi or Golf alike?

Please share any opinions and or do's and don'ts.

Drive it like you stole it!

[MiiLos]

Just filled up for the 2nd time in my new GTI. I managed 586km on the first fuel-up of 50 litres running 98 VPower (done 229km on the almost half full tank from the dealer - assuming it was 95RON) . Didn't baby it by no means asides from the times I had to go on the highway. Always kept it 1-2 gears lower than what the MFD was telling me I should be in for optimum economy, except for the highway I had it in 6th. There were also times where I drove through some unnavoidable heavy stop-start traffic.

The engine feels great, cant wait till I hit the 1500km mark and not have to worry about the way I'm driving anymore hehe. Haven't taken it to redline just yet, although I've gotten close on a couple of occasions lol. Plan to take it for a good run down the great ocean road on the weekend after the comming one which should finish off the break-in phase quite nicely. The gearbox still feels 'very new', can't wait for it all to properly bed-in and loosen up a bit. Very happy so far

[easeup]

I couldn't help it. I was never going to be able to help it. The dealer leant across my open window and told me not to redline it for the first 1500km, and otherwise enjoy my new Volkswagen. I crawled it down the dealership driveway, carefully turned left onto the main road, and... fanged it to 7500rpm in Sport mode. Because Racecar.

[MiiLos]

Hahah when getting out of the dealership I was busy looking around and testing all the goodies in the cabin. On the M1 I had some fool almost hit me trying to switch lanes!

On another note, I'm still deliberating weather I'm going to do an oil + filter change at 1500km.. The dealer was adamant that it dont need to be touched untill 15k. I know its been discussed here some pages back but who has actually done it and is it a worthwile thing to do?

[easeup]

MiiLos, my dealer has me coming in at 7500km. I'm happy to leave it till then, but considering how i've ignored the break in, i will definitely get my oil and filter changed at that point.

[hooba]

The gearbox still feels 'very new', can't wait for it all to properly bed-in and loosen up a bit. Very happy so far

My gearbox felt like it loosened up at the 3000km mark, mind you it ain't ever going to be an MX5.

Because Racecar.

You goose - very funny.

[AdamD]

On another note, I'm still deliberating weather I'm going to do an oil + filter change at 1500km.. The dealer was adamant that it dont need to be touched untill 15k. I know its been discussed here some pages back but who has actually done it and is it a worthwile thing to do?

Have a good read through this and related threads. Volkswagen have claimed that changing the run-in oil prior to the first scheduled service (15,000km or 1 year, whichever comes first) may in fact void the warranty (at least for engine internals). While I'm not about to speculate about the legalities of such a claim, caveat emptor. Most people seem content to leave the oil change till the first service (as did I, although it went against the grain of what I'm used to).

[MiiLos]

Hmm I have had a good read of most of the threads in this forum while waiting for my GTI. I guess I just needed another bit advice now that I finally have it. At the end of the day leaving it till the 15k service will mean more money in my pocket, and if that's what VW claim is when it should be changed I might as well stick to it - after all they could have quite easily called them in earlier and made extra $$.

I mite just make a trip down to the dealer at 1500km and have a chat with the service dept to ease my mind. Thanks for the feedback guys.

My gearbox felt like it loosened up at the 3000km mark, mind you it ain't ever going to be an MX5.

Yours manual also mate? Its definitely getting smoother as the kms stack up.

[Rob_R]

I couldn't help it. I was never going to be able to help it. The dealer leant across my open window and told me not to redline it for the first 1500km, and otherwise enjoy my new Volkswagen. I crawled it down the dealership driveway, carefully turned left onto the main road, and... fanged it to 7500rpm in Sport mode. Because Racecar.

lol, so that was your engine and gearbox I could hear protesting all the way over here in Melbourne.

[hooba]

Yours manual also mate? Its definitely getting smoother as the kms stack up.

Yes, and agreed.

I only just did the 12 month first service, I can confirm that the engine hasn't blown up nor does it use oil. Maybe those VW engineers know what they're doing.

[slam]

I understand it is good practice to vary the revs when breaking in an engine, even when doing constant speed on the freeway (by changing gears periodically).

From when is it considered acceptable to cruise on the freeway at constant speed and revs as well? After 500km? 1000km?

[brad]

From when is it considered acceptable to cruise on the freeway at constant speed and revs as well? After 500km? 1000km?

I went to 1000km and then it all got too tedious for me. I simply ignored 6th gear in order to keep the engine spinning at at least 2500rpm & keep some pressure behind the rings.

[SilvrFoxX]

keep some pressure behind the rings.

There you go leading with your chin again Brad.. or maybe not