Hi all,

Finally got my Fabia VRS and I love it ....

The dealer didn't seem to have a running in advise I have been told the following is it good advise?

First 1,000 miles limit to 3,000 rpm but make sure you hit 3k regularly. Next 1,000 miles ( 1k to 2k) limit to 3,500 rpm, but make sure you hit it regularly. Next 1,000 miles (2k to 3k) limit to 4,000 rpm and make sure you hit 4k rpm regularly. After 3k increase your limit to 4,500 rpm, make sure you hit that at least a few times a week. After 4k miles, take it to 4,500 rpm or to the limiter at least a couple of times a week threough the gears. That way you will help free off the piston rings, will help stop the engine turning into an oil burner, will help keep the injectors clean and will help prevent soot accumulating in the exhaust system. Though many diesel drivers will be horrified at the thought of extending their engines to 4,500 rpm, doing it just a couple of times a week usually beings an overall economy benefit and is what the MOT tester will do to your engine any way.

Should be some advice in the handbook. General concensus here is to take it easy for the 1st 1000 miles, then gradually build up to full engine performance from that point. 3k miles seems a bit excessive.

The Owner's Manual gives good advice on how to run the car in.

Ignore the dealer, he has a vested interest in repair work

Follow whatever it says in the manual, you can then sleep safely knowing you did what nice Uncle Skoda said you should

The guide book just says dont thrash it for the first 1000km then build up after. just thinking that being too light with the pedal is just as bad , aslo did anyone have the oil changed after the run-in period, is it adviable?

To be honest, I have never heard of that method. Personally I keep it gentle for the first 1k miles, then ease it up after that. I have had a total of6 VAG TDI,s in one form or another 2 with auto boxes, and they all used more or less the same amount of oil in the first 6-8k and sfter that nothing.

As for soot, a good blast always helps to clear that out the exhaust, but how much will collect in 1k miles is probably next to nothing.As for keeping the injectors clean, modern diesel fuels are much cleaner than they were, so waxing isnt really an issue. However a doseage of Millers Diesl Clean Plus (or whatever they are calling it at the mo) will help immensley and improve economy and performance.

As for your piston ring, I leave that to someone else to confirm/deny. For me, they will bed in anyway, so why force the issue with some high revs.

I have always treated a new engine gently, and have always had good economy and performance out of the engine, but I definately dont step rev it as you suggest.

Edit: Bugger it....how can 4 posts appear in the time its taken me to write this lot?

Oil shouldnt need changing till 10k miles (16000 kms) on the furby.

The Octavia Owner's manual does not differentiate between running in a diesel and a petrol engine. It says:

Running in

During the first few operating hours the internal friction of the engine is higher than later on when all the moving parts have bedded down. How well this running-in process is done depends to a considerable extent on the way the vehicle is driven during the first 1500km (1000 miles).

Up to 1000km (600 miles)

the following general rules apply

* Do not use full throttle

* Do not drive faster than 3/4 of top speed

* Avoid high engine speeds

* Avoid towing a trailer, if possible

From 1000-1500km (600-1000 miles)

It is possible gradually to increase up to the maximum speed of the gear engaged or to the maximim permissible engine speed, respectively.

During and after the running-in period:

* Do not overrev the engine when cold - either in neutral when driving

All the speeds and revs stated only apply when the engine is properly warm.

@ Do not drive at unnecessarily high engine speeds - changing up early helps to save fuel, reduces noise and protects the environment...

* Do not let the engine labour - change down when the engine no longer runs smoothly.

After the running-in period

On cars fitted with a rev counter ythe maximum permissible engine speed is marked by the start of the red range on the scale of the rev counter. The needle of the rev counter must not move into this range.

Thanks all I think I will just take it easy as per the book instructions not taking it past 2500rpm for the first 1000 miles.

Thanks all I think I will just take it easy as per the book instructions not taking it past 2500rpm for the first 1000 miles.

From what other members have said, you should have bags of performance on tap even taking it easy.

I do it puts our Mondeo 2.0lx 145 BHP to shame and I'm only using 2500 rpm max!!!!.

I do it puts our Mondeo 2.0lx 145 BHP to shame and I'm only using 2500 rpm max!!!!.

I got a 1.9 TDi Fabia last month, and just kept it below 3000 rpm for the first 1000 miles. After that I took it to 3500 and then 4000 a few times, might just be perception, but the engine seemed to quieten down a bit after that.

I have found that there is no point in revving much beyond 3500 rpm in any case as the best performance is to be had between 1500 and about 3500.

Just make sure you check the oil regularly. I put half a pint in after 1400 miles. Dont nearly 2500 now so am going to check it tomorrow.

TBH just be sensible for the first few miles!

I think your method came from the Honest John column in the Daily Telegraph. I followed it to the letter with my vRS Furby and I rarely see any smoke from the exhaust and the oil consumption is minimal. I recommend it.