As there are a number of folk collecting their new Room-mates for the summer I would like to share the following advise that was given to me.

I quote, 'Treating the engine gently may not be so good.

For the first 2K do not exceed 3k revs.

For the next 1k (ie up to 3000 miles) do not exceed 3500 revs.

For the next 1k (ie up to 4000 miles) do not exceed 4000 revs.

For the next 1k (ie up to 5000 miles) do not exceed 4500 revs.

Allow the engine to warm up before reaching max revs recommended, but get there at least once a day.

Now, it is reckoned that modern diesels do not give optimum fuel consumption unitl about 10K miles, but if you treat them too gently, they never get run-in.'

I have followed this advice when I collected my Fabia 1.9Tdi some years ago.

The current Roomster handbook (page 185) is the best offering via Skoda. However, on collecting my Room-mate I spoke to the workshop quoting the above and was told 'can't fault it', so, once again I have followed that advice.

Whilst I offer this in good faith, if anyone knows anything better, here is the space to share it...

I am on my fourth PD and this is something that has been discussed on here a few times. The most popular conclusion is they are better in the long run if you just drive it as normal from day one.

The most important thing is the first few hundred miles, after that it won't really make much difference what you do.

I have the feeling some manufacturers dyno engines after production to wear them in and check them anyway? Pretty sure AMG and bmw M division do...

I am on my fourth PD and this is something that has been discussed on here a few times. The most popular conclusion is they are better in the long run if you just drive it as normal from day one.

Yup, I agree. No good nancying around, just give it somes beans from the start, obviously only once the engine has warmed up.

The 1.9tdi is pretty much bullet proof.

Des

I used the 'Honest John' method, and it's been fine so far (62k now), but uses a bit more oil than most (about 1l every 10k), and gets slightly worse mpg. This could be because I drive with the revs at 2k+ almost all the time, though, so the turbo's maybe getting used more than most?

Yup, I agree. No good nancying around, just give it somes beans from the start, obviously only once the engine has warmed up.

The 1.9tdi is pretty much bullet proof.

Des

I think that in most cases they use less oil etc when you do this. None of mine used a drop and the Golf PD100 had done 128k

The answer is that nobody really knows.

Some studies have shown that an engine that is thrashed from the start provides better peformance in the future, while other studies have shown the opposite - there is no conclusive proof!

I use the Honest John method just to be safe. But one thing is for sure that after 4000 miles you do need to give the engine a good thrash at least once a week to keep it working in tip top condition and help it to reduce oil use!

Mark:thumbup:

I am on my fourth PD and this is something that has been discussed on here a few times. The most popular conclusion is they are better in the long run if you just drive it as normal from day one.

I would reccomend this too... I always drive my new cars as "normal" from day one, and none have ever had an engine or turbo problem, and none have ever needed topping up with oil...

bought the vRS new, did 80,000 miles in 18 months, and always gave good performance and good fuel econ, and never used a drop of oil...

same with the fiat, a year old now and 43,000 miles, and no probs (remapped at 4k)

so for me "drive normally" gets a

Just drive as normal .....of course don't try doing 10mph in 5th gear or over reving it