For Tig TDI owners

[Arctra]

Hi guys.

I was just researching running in a TDI engine as I take delivery of mine tomorrow. I am so glad I did because I was about to stuff my engine up. I thought a nice long drive on the weekend cruising along the freeway to the Hunter Valley would be ideal for running in my engine. I was wrong!

Read these threads if you want to save yoour beautiful new TDI!:

How to run in your TDI and background on what your engine goes through before it gets to you (hints: treat it mean. Long periods of town driving is good. High loads and varied loads on the engine are good.):

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2264550&postcount=28

Info on "warming up" your TDI (hint: don't let it idle a few minutes):

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=12842

Take a loow at the Diesel section for more info.

[Chappo]

I thought these engines were run in at the factory (as with most new cars these days). Is that not correct?

[Arctra]

I thought these engines were run in at the factory (as with most new cars these days). Is that not correct?

Read the first link I posted. Yes, the engine has a bit of a run-in at the factory, but that's basically to make sure it makes the cut for minimum pressure. It takes thousands more to bed things in properly. It's seriously worth a good read if you want to look after your engine.

My father is a diesel mechnic and confirmed this is sound advice. Why he didn't think to tell me this when I told him I was getting the diesel Tig is beyond me, but it's good enough confirmation for me. You are free to do what you like in the end.

[Transporter]

Hi guys.

I was just researching running in a TDI engine as I take delivery of mine tomorrow. I am so glad I did because I was about to stuff my engine up. I thought a nice long drive on the weekend cruising along the freeway to the Hunter Valley would be ideal for running in my engine. I was wrong!

Read these threads if you want to save yoour beautiful new TDI!:

How to run in your TDI and background on what your engine goes through before it gets to you (hints: treat it mean. Long periods of town driving is good. High loads and varied loads on the engine are good.):

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2264550&postcount=28

Info on "warming up" your TDI (hint: don't let it idle a few minutes):

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=12842

Take a look at the Diesel section for more info.

Long drive is fine and still my preferred way of running the engine in. You need to vary the load and deceleration is as important as acceleration. You will not stuff up your new TDI, if you go for long run. Diesel engine is build for hard work but don’t overheat it during running in.
I run in many engines, in last 4 years 3TDI and never had any problem with burning engine oil. You're right with not let engine idle for too long, it is very important. I start up and let it idle for 15s to 30s max. always, than drive normally without hard acceleration until engine reaches operating temperature.
Remember, that also transmission and whole mechanical system incl. brakes needs to run in too.

Enjoy your new car, mate.

[clip]

Another thing to maybe keep in mind when starting from cold (and particularly with newer tighter engines), even when you're temp gauge gets up to normal temp, this does not mean that the engine is actually fully warmed up yet. This may not be as important on cars as it is with bikes ('04 gixxer thous have been known to spin main bearings because of this), but still worth thinking about before you go thrashing the engine as soon as it hits the normal water temp mark. If you have ever had an oil temp gauge, you might have noticed that it takes considerably longer for the engine to actually reach full operating temp than the water temp gauge indicates (because it's just measuring the water temp!).

[Arctra]

130km's in Day 1

So I've managed to clock up 130km's today, driving my new pride and joy. As far as the running in goes, this is what I've learned for the TDI Tig:
- To get the sort of rev ranges recommended to run the engine in, select "S" on the auto box and use a fairly (not very) heavy foot. When pulling away this seems to get to the "good" rev ranges and shift before they get dangerous.
- Once cruising or travelling at a semi-steady speed, you'll need to slip into Tiptronic mode and drop a gear or two to get your revs in the 2500 to 3200 rpm sort of range so the turbo is giving some nice pressure.
- The auto box will protect your engine to an extent if you forget to shift up by automatically doing it for you if the revs get too high, so don't be too afraid to use tiptronic mode.
- In order to use engine/compression breaking; which the diesel apparntly quite likes; it's best to be in tiptronic mode.

I cannot complement the Tig's drivetrain enough as far as smoothness goes, although I need to get used to the lag when responding to slamming the throttle down. It's the first auto I've owned so presume I it's normal behaviour for the box compared to a manual.

Still got lots of playing to do to find out the peculiarities of my vehicle. If I learn anything more I'll let you know.

[NZTiguan]

I cannot complement the Tig's drivetrain enough as far as smoothness goes, although I need to get used to the lag when responding to slamming the throttle down. It's the first auto I've owned so presume I it's normal behaviour for the box compared to a manual.

HAd an interesting chat about that to one of the techs at my dealers on Friday and he was saying that if you're cruising for any period in "D" the system basically goes into snooze mode to keep at its most economic. If you then suddenly jump on the gas for an overtaking maneuver you get a small "lag" as it gets out of cruise mode and gets its a into g. So, if you're getting ready to pass something always slip it into "S" before you want to get going, that way you've already woken the system up. Didn't have an opportunity to try it since but it did sound sensible at the time.

Cheers

[clip]

... he was saying that if you're cruising for any period in "D" the system basically goes into snooze mode to keep at its most economic. If you then suddenly jump on the gas for an overtaking maneuver you get a small "lag" as it gets out of cruise mode and gets its a into g. So, if you're getting ready to pass something always slip it into "S" before you want to get going, that way you've already woken the system up....

another reason to buy a manual, don't think I really want my car going to sleep on me

[DJY]

I cannot complement the Tig's drivetrain enough as far as smoothness goes, although I need to get used to the lag when responding to slamming the throttle down. It's the first auto I've owned so presume I it's normal behaviour for the box compared to a manual.

I think the lag is more noticeable in the diesel though...
I've driven all three models 103, 125, and 147 - and all in auto.
I bought the 147.

[Arctra]

another reason to buy a manual, don't think I really want my car going to sleep on me

Clip, make no error, I am a BIG fan of manuals. In fact, I only drove my first auto about 2 years ago, and this is the first auto I've ever owned. A majority of my driving is town driving though, and I've found the auto to be so much easier for that.

When it comes to weekend driving I much prefer the idea of a manual, but after a big weekend of driving the auto I think I've learned to compensate for the auto's lag by changing my driving style. I'm certainly not regretting getting the auto, in fact on the contrary, I'm even more impressed with it now than I was before the weekend!