Hi,

So i've taken the plunge and ordered the vRS TDI facelift last week, never owned a brand new car before and am really excited about getting it.

I've heard that new engines need to be eased in to before you can really begin to drive it properly and give it some umpf. Sounds logical, what would you recommend if this is the case?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Newbie thanking in advance.

Running in instructions from owners manual:

A new engine

The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.

Up to 1 000 kilometres

– Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the maximum speed of the gear in use, that is 3/4 of the maximum permissible engine speed.

– Do not use full throttle. – Avoid high engine revolutions. – Do not tow a trailer.

From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres

– Increase the power output of the engine gradually up to the full speed of the gear engaged, that is up to the maximum permissible engine revolutions.

Mine was a bit lumpy and prone to stalling for the first 2-3k but lossened up considerably after 5k and has been excellent on economy etc, since.

Thanks guys, much appreciated

With the diesel, keep an eye on the oil level as they a known to use more oil than normal during running in and for the first 5-10k miles.

Cobblers

Modern engines do not need running in.

Drive it normally from day one. Don't do track days but don 't spare the horses. VW group engines are known to use more oil if you run them in as prescribed. No idea why but there is absolutely loads on the web. Google.

Sits back and waits for the fireworks to begin.......

Just follow the manual and be sensible with it.

cobblers

modern engines do not need running in.

Drive it normally from day one. Don't do track days but don 't spare the horses. Vw group engines are known to use more oil if you run them in as prescribed. No idea why but there is absolutely loads on the web. Google.

Sits back and waits for the fireworks to begin.......

:+1:

surely your new car has been revved right up to the limiter in the first 2 or 3 gears as its driven on and off the ferrys these days..you have seen them loading and unloading them, they dont spare the horses!

Have to say that mine was ex-demo but did use a litre of oil between 6-15K

There has been some evidence that shows giving new engines a hard time is better for power, however, I've always taken it easy for the first 1000miles, give it an oil/filter change, then steadily increase the revs. Depends on how long you plan to keep it - if its 3 years then don't worry. If its 10 then do what you think is appropriate.

I think variable servicing is more of an issue, designed to keep the fleet managers happy 10-12K intervals max!

Ian

BTW, we have a 1997 Golf Anniversary 16V petrol with 120 K miles and it used oil for first 50k but my friend had one the same (only 150 made I think) and after that it settled the same and is still alive with over 500k miles as far as I am aware. My exp is that if you a warm up a VW engine sensibly they will reward for a long time!

Cobblers

Modern engines do not need running in.

Drive it normally from day one. Don't do track days but don 't spare the horses. VW group engines are known to use more oil if you run them in as prescribed. No idea why but there is absolutely loads on the web. Google.

Sits back and waits for the fireworks to begin.......

Must admit my previous car ('97) was to drive 'normally' ie. no long distance high speed runs, no 'boy racer' antics, extreme revving etc.

The part about getting up to max revs in each gear from 1000-1500km is new to me. What is that intended to do?

Incidentally 1000km = 745 miles and 1500km = 1118 miles. Why Skoda have only km and litres and kw in the *English* manual but include miles, gallons and horsepower (ok, PS Pferdstarke!) in the brochures = 'you've already bought the car so we can't be arsed to convert any more Euro units'! They also tuck it away on p201 'Driving and the Environment'. I didn't spot the item until I went actually trawling the manual specifically for 'running in' OE&A.

I do the following (others have more radical ideas than I, most seem to be more conservative - do your research and follow whatever regime you believe will be best for your new engine) :

Always:

- Start up and immediately drive gently away until the engine is properly warmed up.

- Check oil levels regularly, and particularly when the engine is new (some use oil, some don't; using this method mine never seem to use much at all )

1st 1,000Km:

- Use lots of throttle and keep revs between 1,500 and 3,000 (TDI), 1,500 and 4,500 (TFSI)

- No idling (as much as possible), no lugging (heavy load) below 2,000rpm, and no revving with no load on the engine.

- Vary speed constantly (definitely no cruise control)

- Lots of speeding up and slowing down on up hills

- This is meant to accelerate the bedding in of the rings and bores by increasing the pressure on the rings.

1,000 to 3,000 Km

- Use lots of throttle and keep revs between 1,500 and 3,600 (TDI), 1,500 and 6,000 (TFSI)

- No idling, lugging below 2,000rpm or revving with no load.

- Vary speed as much as possible (still no cruise control)

- Lots of speeding up and slowing down on up hills

- This is meant to continue the process of bedding in of the rings and bores.

3,000Km and on

- Basically open slather.

- TDIs - at least once every drive, give it a good bootfull from 1,500 to 3,000rpm to stop the variable vanes in the turbo from sticking.

- I prefer to keep the revs above 2,000 whenever I am asking the engine to serious work (accelerating hard or going up steep hills)

Edited 22 September, 200916 yr by gregozedobe

Just follow the manual and be sensible with it.

I'd agree with that. If you think the people on here saying belt it from day 1 know more about VW engines than VW though, by all means follow their advice

Quite a few years ago now I read that modern engines are built to very fine tolerances and in such a clean environment that they no longer require running in so I was a bit surprised to see instructions for it in the handbook. Although it's not the same engine my 1.8 20V Passat that I bought in 1998 was run in by treating it gently for the first 1000 miles and when I changed it for the Octavia a couple of weeks ago it never used any appreciable amount of oil and was still running well.

:

Cobblers

Modern engines do not need running in.

Drive it normally from day one. Don't do track days but don 't spare the horses. VW group engines are known to use more oil if you run them in as prescribed. No idea why but there is absolutely loads on the web. Google.

Sits back and waits for the fireworks to begin.......

:+1::+1::+1:

Just drive it as normal and don't bounce it off the limiter and it will be fine, "careful" running in can glaze the bores and ultimately lead to less power and greater fuel consumption.

I think that Skoda like other manufacturers just use cut and paste from the handbook of something like the LT 35

Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)

I'd agree with that. If you think the people on here saying belt it from day 1 know more about VW engines than VW though, by all means follow their advice

Indeed .......... add to that the fact that they are not run to the limiter when they come off the production line on a rolling road or indeed ragged around the docks when in transit, ever, honest mister :) .

Every new car I have had has been driven normally since day one, allowing the engine to stretch it's legs, even hitting the red line in my Mk2 vRS. None of them ever consumed excess oil, they made good power on Rolling Roads and never had any warranty / wear issues save for a coil pack fiasco.

I went to the Triumph factory a few weeks ago on a visit, got taken into one of the dyno rooms where they belted the Bikes (Tiger 1050, Speed Triple) off the rev limiter in every gear to test it. In the handbook it says do not excedd 4000 rpm for the first 600 miles then 5000 rpm until a 1000 miles. Mine has been caned since day 1.

Have a look around ewe toob, there are video's around of the factory RR process off the production line, and those engines are run up without a proper warm up

Warm up properly (don't use the water temp guage to judge that) run normally using the full range of the engines power and allow to cool down properly before switching off, jobs a good 'un

Edited 22 September, 200916 yr by Fluffmeister

Given the water temperature gauge is the only temperature feedback you get while driving short of smoke billowing from under the bonnet, what constitutes a proper warm up and cool down?

I don't use more than gentle throttle until the temperature needle is sat dead centre in the gauge and drive gently for the last minute or two before stopping the car (Since I'm in a built up area this is automatic anyway). I reckon this is adequate, mostly because that is the sort of use profile VW are likely to set as the baseline for what's required of the engine.

I think variable servicing is more of an issue, designed to keep the fleet managers happy 10-12K intervals max!

I dont see what the issue is with variable servicing, my car is just coming up to 90K miles now and is on variable servicing. The car has been to the dealer 4 times now for its service in that time, equating to about 18K between each service which is just short of the maximum allowed under the variable regime. To this date nothing has failed, it uses little oil and does not smoke like a chimney.

Given the water temperature gauge is the only temperature feedback you get while driving short of smoke billowing from under the bonnet, what constitutes a proper warm up and cool down?

I don't use more than gentle throttle until the temperature needle is sat dead centre in the gauge and drive gently for the last minute or two before stopping the car (Since I'm in a built up area this is automatic anyway). I reckon this is adequate, mostly because that is the sort of use profile VW are likely to set as the baseline for what's required of the engine.

I would say that's about right for a proper warm up and cool down, that's what I do. It's amazing how many people think that an engine is "warmed up" and ready for abuse based on the water temp guage when it's oil temperature that really matters.

I take it easy for the first couple of miles then drive normally then drive slowly for the last couple of miles until I park it up, which when I am at home is through a built up area so it's a good warm down.

Wow, wasn't expecting such a response. Cheers guys, plenty to read up on before delivery

If you think the people on here saying belt it from day 1 know more about VW engines than VW though, by all means follow their advice

If you want to believe the people who make money off selling cars and their components rather than impartial owners, by all means follow their advice...

Rob.

If you want to believe the people who make money off selling cars and their components rather than impartial owners, by all means follow their advice...

Rob.

But it's not quite the same thing, Unlike 'impartial' owners, manufactures who publish misleading or downright wrong advice would leave themselves open to official critisism from independent sources plus they might also receive more warranty claims than they would otherwise expect.

So there's three options :

1) Follow the manufacturer's instructions and treat it gently.

2) Drive it normally.

3) Thrash the car to within an inch of it's life. (shades of Basil Fawltey )

The part about getting up to max revs in each gear from 1000-1500km is new to me. What is that intended to do?

Took this point up with my dealer. Apart from what speed you might reach at 6000rpm in 5th and 6th gears. He couldn't answer the question and will make enquries.