Break in oil.

[Pinarelloman]

We picked up our 103TDI with the 7SPD DSG gearbox yesterday.
The dealer has told me no service required till 15000km. I questioned changing the engine oil at about 2,000km to remove any metal filings left over from the machining process. We were advised that there is a special break in oil in the engine from new & it is not recommended to change this till 15,000km as the engine will not run in properly. They say the oil has slightly abrasive properties to assist the bedding in process.
Any comments?

[Transporter]

I changed oil in our TDI Tig at 1048km. I don't buy the story about special run in oil in the setup where is DPF (not just with TDI in any internal combustion engine made today) and first oil change in 15,000 km. No mineral oil will last that long.

More on topic in this section of the forum.

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[Greg Roles]

The old conundrum. Mineral oil, and a specific run in oil such as Penrites run in oil, is the ultimate for getting the optimum piston ring seal. They all contain some ash, which is a big problem for DPF's. The only reason i listened to VW and stuck with their oil is that I couldn't find a ash free run in one, and add the fact I have PD, 507 spec is pretty much the only choice. I'd assume the new car is common rail, so you only have to worry about the DPF, but after a few hundred k's any chance to "run in" the cylinder walls is pretty much over. Sure it continues, and for ages with diesels, but the lion's share happens in the first 50-100k, so by now it's all over.

I changed from new with VW spec oil after a few thou just to be safe, but didn't notice any metal, as compared to the tons that came out of my former new Ford GT after 500km. Nothing stopping you doing the same, but changing just the filter, and adding a huge magnet to the lid, helps trap any metal early on.

It's my belief that all cars are supposed to be delivered with special run in oil, but it can depend on the drum available in the workshop on the day. I'd more readily trust VW over other marques though.

[Transporter]

Not just DPF, or unit injectors would be the reason why you need VW approved oil in your engine, petrol or diesel it doesn't matter. Oil that is approved (read it as tested by VW) is ideal for VW engine and will not cause the top piston rings sticking and other problems associated with it.

From 1999 I run in 4 MB engines (3 were diesel) all 4 had first oil change at around 1000km. Never had any problem, great fuel economy. My T5 that is PD had first oil change at 2500km, GOLF and TOUAREG had early oil changes as well and they don't use any oil between 7,500km oil changes.

My T5 engine is quieter than some other 128kW engines I had opportunity to hear. I assume that it could be because of using right oil in the engine right from the start and always changing it sooner than 7500km (how ever I do very short trips during my working day). It would be 10,000km if driving 30000km per user and changing car every 6 years.


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[hooba]

No mineral oil will last that long.

I agree, the following article is worth a read.

New Car Care – How to Take Care of a New Car - Popular Mechanics

[Pinarelloman]

Just an update, our car is now 4 years old and just had a late service at 96000 km. it uses NO oil between services. I was told at the time that removing the running in oil will lead to premature wear and oil useage.
Obviously that advice was/is wrong.

[tigger73]

Nice!

Thanks for the follow-up post. So I gather you did an early oil change??

Too often there's threads without a conclusion so it's good to hear this one had a happy ending

[Pinarelloman]

Sorry yes, I did a full oil change before 2000km. Car is faultless.

[brad]

Just an update, our car is now 4 years old and just had a late service at 96000 km. it uses NO oil between services. I was told at the time that removing the running in oil will lead to premature wear and oil useage.
Obviously that advice was/is wrong.

I guess on a survey of with a sample of 1, 100% of the vehicles were found to be unaffected by an early oil change.

On my survey of 1 vehicle the oil was left in until 15k. After 155,000km / 7 years it doesn't require top-ups between oil changes.

So 100% of the vehicles in my survey were unaffected by leaving the oil in as per manufacturers recommendations.

[MGV]

It could be how you drive (or how the DSG transmission allows the engine to rev...) over the first 1 or 2 thousand km's rather than when you carried out your 1st oil change, that determines oil usage...

I believe it's important to drive the car over varying RPM's & engine loads early on to optimize running in the new engine. Take it out into the country & hold it in a gear & let it's rev's increase from 1000 to 4 or 5000 over short intervals, then decrease using engine braking rather than foot brakes! Do this in several gears, maybe not 5th or 6th! Do it up a long hill as well.

The economy-conscious DSG would be lucky to see 2500 RPM (if driven carefully/sedately) & that's probably not ideal for a new engine, IMO.

[Transporter]

From my 20 years survey servicing and repairing various vehicles on this continent, those who did early oil changes had minimum or no oil leaks and overall more reliable cars than those who went for 10,000 - 15,000km between the services. Also many of them kept their cars well beyond 200,000km.

I also did change the first oil in almost all our 7 VAG cars at no later 1,500km and can report no oil usage or any oil leaks or mechanical issues.

Sure, if you keep your car only for 3-4years, don't waste money and do what the manufacturer says, it will work for you and of course for them.