Advice on "Running In"

**backdoc** · 06-02-2010, 07:01 AM

I know I've seen some posts elsewhere but couldn't find them so sorry for starting another thread, but.............

Any tips on driving style, revs etc over the first 1000-2000km?

**The_Hawk** · 06-02-2010, 08:20 AM

I'm no mechanic, but from everything I have read or heard there are two schools of thought really:

Play nice for the first 1,000 or so

or

Drive it like you stole it...

The second school says that thrashing it causes the rings and components to heat properly and bed in nicely. Lots of people think that this means it will go harder longer and apposed to the babying it and not getting those parts to bed in properly or wear properly since your not stressing the engine.

I've also heard that engines are somewhat "run in" before you get them anyway...

So yeah, I'm more of a drive it like you stole it person

**Transporter** · 06-02-2010, 08:28 AM

Like with everything in the life the moderation is the key.

**Tim** · 06-02-2010, 08:30 AM

there are a couple of comprehensive threads about this already if you have a bit of a search.

The general consensus seems to be dont be scared to give her a boot full of throttle but keep the revs down to a moderate level (4000 - 5000rpm) for the first 1500kms.

The idea is to build up cylinder pressure whilst both accellerating and decellerating so doesnt hurt to do a bit of engine braking either.

As Hawk says though. Everyone has a different approach.

**BlackOctaviaRS** · 06-02-2010, 09:07 AM

Stick it. Give it plenty of revs.

Guest0608 · 06-02-2010, 09:20 AM

You dont need to run a engine in any more.......... way back now. But I do agree you can see it in 2 different ways, as a tech you see over the years stuff like this, for example.. you get 2 golf GTI's both standard, one bought to be driven hard and one bought because they like the looks but dont need or drive fast. When you come to drive them both down the line, say first/second service, the one thats been driven really hard from moving out of the showroom goes really bloody well, better than average, the one that goes to the shops and back every day keeping revs low to retain fuel and drives like a old girl generally feels flat and just missing that lack of power compared with another. So there are the 2 options that I see but I cant say which way will keep the car alive longer, bepends on luck of the draw for one thing...........Drive it how it shoulb be driven!...............VW...........

**Pietra** · 06-02-2010, 10:28 AM

While there is a general consensus that engines are typically delivered to the showroom run in, the salesman at pickup advised moderation and the manual itself states a 2 stage run-in - first 1000km keep it below 4000rpm ish and the nex 500km (to 1500km) gradually build up revs to 5000, 6000 etc

regardless of what they do in the factory, can it really replicate real world driving conditions? I can see sense in easing into things for a period and working your way up to exploring its full potential

pretend its a lover - if its going to be a one night standard, go crazy from the getgo, if its going to be a long term thing, take your time - they'll still be there in a few weeks and you can go crazy then

**Dutch** · 06-02-2010, 11:28 AM

Congrats on delivery mate. I got up this morning knowing i'll be in your position in 2 mths and wondering how you were going to break the RS in.

My 2cents, the 3 thing i won't be doing is towing a kart trailer for at least a few 1000kms, not labouring the motor so driving it normally with revs up but not flogging it and not driving to Melb straight away to see my family like it did as soon as i got my 3.0R Bspec lib. I think it prolonged the rings bedding in just cruising down the highway and i had oil consumption issues for a while but it bedded in well after 40k.

I'd take it for a drive on the great ocean road, plenty of opportunity to get it working through the rev range and whilst enjoying everything about the car.

Cheers pete

**Calais** · 06-02-2010, 11:52 AM

I broke mine in hard. Driving just as I do day to day, not sparing the neddies when I need them. However consider that my average fuel economy since I picked it up is 7.3L/100km. With my vRS now having 17,000km on it, and if I want to, being able to smoke tyres into third gear when hauling ass, I cant complain about the performance........ I really cant.

**backdoc** · 06-02-2010, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dutch

Congrats on delivery mate. I got up this morning knowing i'll be in your position in 2 mths and wondering how you were going to break the RS in.

My 2cents, the 3 thing i won't be doing is towing a kart trailer for at least a few 1000kms, not labouring the motor so driving it normally with revs up but not flogging it and not driving to Melb straight away to see my family like it did as soon as i got my 3.0R Bspec lib. I think it prolonged the rings bedding in just cruising down the highway and i had oil consumption issues for a while but it bedded in well after 40k.

I'd take it for a drive on the great ocean road, plenty of opportunity to get it working through the rev range and whilst enjoying everything about the car.

Cheers pete

It's awesome getting up and finally seeing it in your driveway.

The performance is really great. They really get up and move when you need

Made me realise that I didn't give it much stick when I test drove it

Good idea about towing the Kart trailer. Reckon I'll lay off that for a while too!