Advice on "Running In"

[K1W1]

Take it for a run the back way to Inverloch tomorrow for lunch then return the same way. Give it some stick without thrashing it and by the time you get home tomorrow evening it will be nicely run in and you will not be able to stop smiling for a week or so.

[woofy]

As someone said, follow what it says in the manual, rev it both going up and down the gears but no more than whatever it says as the max in the manual. Then after the 1500km mark, rev it out a bit more each time. I found entrance ramps into freeways like Eastlink were good, as you could rev it out to 6500km eventually in 2nd gear in progressive way due to the length of the ramp rather than thrash it straight there. I did about another 500rpm each time I went up the ramp. Was actually hard getting it to nearly redline though, 1st does it, but sounds awful, 2nd will do it just and after that, its really hard without hitting the speed limit.

I think the key thing is don't labour it, don't tow with it, and definitely wait until the engine is at temp.......

[K1W1]

I think the key thing is don't labour it, don't tow with it, and definitely wait until the engine is at temp.......

And under no circumstances drive a new engine at constant revs for a long period. A trip up the Hume or down to Geelong on cruise control is the worst possible thing that you can do despite the fact that you are adding miles.

[The_Hawk]

And under no circumstances drive a new engine at constant revs for a long period. A trip up the Hume or down to Geelong on cruise control is the worst possible thing that you can do despite the fact that you are adding miles.

So find a nice mountain road and ... work your way through the gears

[woofy]

Yes I forgot that one. Both of my cars had a trip to Geelong for work, so at least the 6 gears in both made it a bit easier, I changed revs by switching gears as well as changing the speed....it annoys everyone around you though.

[Calais]

Seems to be a bit of both schools of thought here. My way sure is fun though......

In the end.... its your car, run it in however you like.

[Pietra]

And under no circumstances drive a new engine at constant revs for a long period. A trip up the Hume or down to Geelong on cruise control is the worst possible thing that you can do despite the fact that you are adding miles.

I really hate to ask this but why is this the case?

And can we put a definition to new in terms of kms?

[Calais]

I really hate to ask this but why is this the case?

And can we put a definition to new in terms of kms?

It has been explained to me as a way of ensuring that the engine rotating assembly is put through a varied range of temperatures and loads, to ensure rings, bores and the valvetrain to bed in correctly, and to "harden" metal parts during the early stages of life (ie first 5000km or thereabouts) by cycling them through a number of heating and cooling processes.

A lot of people will say that it just a pure wank... and I tend to agree with them... for a mass produced engine anyway.

(As mentioned earlier, I couldn't really have cared less. I drove my car normally from day one, and it's never given a days grief.)

[Pietra]

Calais - thanks but I was more seeing why K1W1 was saying a long trip on Cruise Control at relatively consisent revs was bad

[K1W1]

For the reasons Calais explained.