There seems to be a consensus that the mpg returned by a car improves as it is run in and "loosens up".

 

 

Is there any hard data to support this? is there any data to show the magnitude of the improvement?

 

 

Obviously there are all kinds of confounding variables that could skew the reported mpg improvement, e.g.,

 

Driving slower.

Learning the engine/box and therefore driving more efficiently

Fewer shorter trips (just nipping out in the new car for the sake of it)

Observer bias - if you THINK it'll improve, it's more likely that you will report it is doing.

Is "running in" driving - slower and smaller throttle openings - actually less efficient than "normal" driving?

 

 

 

Generally - "the plural of anecdote is not data" 

 

The background to this is my commute in 2.0 TDI vs 1.8 20vT now returning 39mpg vs 32mpg to work and 51.3mpg vs 40mpg home.

Very happy with it and Interested to know if it'll improve still further  

Running in or as Skoda call it in Owners Manuals, 'Driving in',

 is not just about the engine, you are getting the Greenness off new tyres and loosening off brakes, bearings etc.

 

The MPG / Economy might not only improve with miles, but after a Oil / Filter Service where you change from the Factory Fill Engine OIl.

& as you get to know a car and ratios of the gears, and as the newness wears off and you just drive, 

not every trip think, up to heat now, lets see how it goes.

 

Better than Tests and Statistics is DIY, see what happens as you 'Run / Drive it in'.

So as you say.

There are the different Seasons of the Year & Ambient Temperatures, Tyre Pressures, Fuel Brands etc that all change.

& Location Location Location and driving style.

Edited 26 June, 201510 yr by goneoffSKi

 

Better than Tests and Statistics is DIY, see what happens as you 'Run / Drive it in'.

 

 

 

Respectfully, Sir, I disagree

We all have big cognitive biases with how we observe and report things. I want data! not anecdotes!

 

Unless you drive as the testers do, then you are unlikely to get the results they do.

 

You are unlikely to get the results i do.

 

Cars have been using Internal Combustion Engines for over 100 years,

Its Motor Vehicle Engineering not Rocket or Nuclear Science.

Oh, I know everyone's mileage will vary, but I guarantee that manufacturers will have their own test-data showing how efficiency in standardised conditions varies over the life of the engine.

 

Just wondered if anyone had any, or could link any, reliable sources. Google has failed me.

No reliable sources from me either I'm afraid, but an interesting phenomenon I've bore witness to on this very forum over the years are the threads containing complaints on how MPG suddenly drops immediately after an oil and filter service.

 

I've never witnessed it myself on my cars but have always wondered how that could be.

No reliable sources from me either I'm afraid, but an interesting phenomenon I've bore witness to on this very forum over the years are the threads containing complaints on how MPG suddenly drops immediately after an oil and filter service.

 

I've never witnessed it myself on my cars but have always wondered how that could be.

Used to get this myself (Though not this time for some reason, though i didnt change the air filter this time round). Id get poorer mpg after the service, itd improve after about 1-2k, peak at around 8-9k then drop slightly again just before a service at 10-12k.

As for running in, it will need some full throttle (though not redlining etc!) moments just to give full compression and bed it all in nicely. Hence why cars that have done all motorway miles usually seem to run better than round town pootlers.