Tips for breaking in a brand new engine?

**Buller_Scott** · 11-04-2012, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by stickshift3000

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** · 12-04-2012, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by ido09s

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** · 24-04-2012, 07:15 PM

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** · 24-04-2012, 07:21 PM

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** · 24-04-2012, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

**SilvrFoxX** · 25-04-2012, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Diesel_vert

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.

Book says (or would say) don't tune or modify your car to prolong engine life and reduce warranty claims.

Internet says to mod the bejeezuz out of your car cause it should have been delivered that way in the first place.

Go with whatever suits you