Hi all,

 

First off, loving the car! Had it just over a week, been taking it easy but noticed something mentioned a few times in a few different threads, however, I've come to realise I'm unsure about the actual ins-and-outs of it.

 

The phrase is, 'breaking in' the car once you've received it.

 

What is this exactly? I can't find it in the handbook, and I asked the dealer if I'd have to do anything like this before delivery to which he responded no.

 

I've done 350 miles and I've taken it easy (my usual driving style anyway) but I'm worried I'm doing things wrong. I've had a few stints where I just couldn't resist getting up to speed, the thing moves quite fast compared to my previous car.

 

Anyway, any advice welcome. If it's in the handbook could somebody let me know the location?

 

 

You will find everyone's take on breaking in is different, with many examples of how and why.

 

You are doing it good that you take it easy for the first hundreds miles.

My suggestions are:

 

1. Make sure before you push the engine ,that the oil is over 70 degrees, ie not cold.

2. To drive in your regular way, BUT DO NOT labor the engine (Change down if you need power and you are not in turbo range).

3. And lastly, even if you have 6k rpm until redline, use the engine according to it's power curve:

• Max torque is available from 1400 RPM up to 3500 RPM
• Max power is between 4400 and 5500 RPM

That means if you want to push it, there is really no point in going over 5500 RPM if you can help it, as it's out of both max torque and power, i call it the performance cliff.

 

If you follow the advice above, the engine gets used properly up and down the range, and it will reward you with an even quieter sound and more power due to everything being properly worn in, MPG will also increase slightly, depending on your driving habits.

Edited 16 August, 20169 yr by Aredeth90

Patience, lots of suggestions should come along soon! In the mean time enjoy your car!

Welcome to the forum.

Enjoy the car.

 

'Running in' as was, and in the Owners Manual with the Translation now as 'Driving in'.

 

Not just giving the engine as easy life, but getting newness off the tyres.

(best set your own tyre pressures then reset the TPMS.)

 

You are giving the brakes a chance to get some easy wear and the bearings, suspension and mechanical parts settle, 

while listening for noises and just generally running in the car.

 

PS

If the person at the Dealers was a salesperson, then you know how they drive in new cars being used as demonstrators and perks.

Drive them like you stole them or hire cars and then sell them used at 3,000 miles.

Edited 16 August, 20169 yr by GoneOffSKi

vaiix, welcome to the site. Congrats on buying one of the best cars on the market. 

 

"Breaking in" or "running in" or even the lastest version as GoneOffSki points out, "driving in" all mean the same. This relates in particular to the engine, but the brakes and tyres also need "driving in" as previously mentioned by GoneOffSki. The guys above give good advice. Cars today don't need running in like cars from 25-30 years ago. But there is still a running in procedure outlined in your owners manual that you should follow if you are to get the best power, fuel economy, and longevity from your enigine.  The owners manual tells you how to do it. The main thing is not to go too easy on the engine. Avoid labouring the engine uphill in high gears, or indeed, revving it very high for longs periods. Make sure you vary the throttle setting, engine speed, load on the engine very frequently rather than sit at one speed in one gear for long periods. That glazes the cylinder bores and the engine won't run in fully. So change gear more often than usual. Use a bit more power and revs as the miles increase on your engine, don't worry about trying to get the best mpg's out of your new car yet. It won't give you best mpg's until after 5k-10k miles anyway and economy driving is not recommended for running in your new car. You cannot really hurt your engine by giving it some extra throttle now and again either but don't use full throttle just yet. Read you manual and you cannot go far wrong. Indeed, if you did nothing other than run it as you normally do, the car would still be ok but just not as good as if you run it in properly. Enjoy!

Dealer told me to just drive off as I pleased. However, having had several new cars over the years and having a best mate and a brother in the trade both saying "treat it gently for the first thousand miles, it just makes sense". I am more inclined to accept their advice than what a dealer's salesman might say. Mind you I do tend to keep my cars for several years so it is important to me that I look after them; nuff sed.

Rip the **** out of it from day 1, they love it.