All, 

 

I am new to this forum. Purchased a Style 2.0 TDI 200hp 4x4. Expecting delivery in January or early February 2021.

 

Reading the PDF manual I could not find much about engine break in guidelines. All I found was:

During the first 1000 km, rev the engine to max. 3/4 of the highest permissible engine speed. 

 

So coming here to ask what are the common guidelines to follow for engine break-in (how many KMs/miles, what max speed, engine revs, etc.). 

Welcome.  That is enough to drive in a modern new car be it diesel or petrol.  Check tyre pressures  and oil and coolant levels.  Then drive in the new car sensibly.  New tyres and brakes need running in. And listen for noises and take it easy for a while. And enjoy. 

 

Hi Amar, welcome to the forum. Modern engines are supposed to not really need a break-in period in the old, traditional, sense - agree with limiting revs for the first 1000 kilometres or so, but important to vary engine-speed and not to impose heavy loading on engine ( keep in lower gear than would be usual)

4 minutes ago, e-Roottoot said:

Welcome.  That is enough to drive in a modern new car be it diesel or petrol.  Check tyre pressures  and oil and coolant levels.  Then drive in the new car sensibly.  New tyres and brakes need running in. And listen for noises and take it easy for a while. And enjoy. 

 

@e-Roottoot Thank you🙂. Any idea where I can find max speed per gear? Could not see it in the manual. 

1 minute ago, Warrior193 said:

Hi Amar, welcome to the forum. Modern engines are supposed to not really need a break-in period in the old, traditional, sense - agree with limiting revs for the first 1000 kilometres or so, but important to vary engine-speed and not to impose heavy loading on engine ( keep in lower gear than would be usual)

Hi @Warrior193got it, thanks. Is it OK to use ACC initially for first 1000KMs for motorway driving. Asking because it goes against basic of using variable speed (possible in town driving, not so on motorways). 

Keep max. revs to 2000-2500 in any gear, preferably change up at 1500-2000 RPM

Edited 8 January, 20215 yr by Warrior193
Typo

Hi Amar, I'd suggest avoid using ACC for that period except for short periods - you do want to check that it's working correctly. 

I would suggest unless driving on roads with no speed limits / unrestricted autobahn etc then there is no worry about using too high RPM in the gears while driving sensibly in a new car.

 

I see now when not on a phone that the car has a DSG, so that is sorted then.  Select D and the gears will change just fine when at the right RPM.

Edited 8 January, 20215 yr by e-Roottoot

I have the 190PS ...... simply did not floor the throttle at all in first 1000 miles ..... and varied speed on motorway, nothing special stated.

 

Think about all the hire cars at Hertz, Diollar, Avis etc. ...... they just get driven, no running-in.

Running in came from much older design engines, white metal bearings etc.

At one time you had to re-torqure head bolts after 2,000 miles and change the oils ...... no longer needed.

 

Interesting asside -  I had a new boat this that required extension running-in porogramme   ....

  First 10 mins at 1500 rpm

  Up to first 2 Hrs minimum revs to keep boat on plane, and no more than 5min at any particular rpm

  Next 8hr operate at no more than 3/4 throttle during normal use, and full throttle for no  more than 2 mins

  Next 10 Hrs you can operate at full throtlle at no more than 10 mins at a time

 

This is a marinised 280 hp    4.3L  Chevrolet engine.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Sargan said:

Think about all the hire cars at Hertz, Diollar, Avis etc. ...... they just get driven, no running-in.

 

Given they only keep the cars on their fleet for 6month, do the rental companies give a toss?

 

Totally true that modern engines are much different from older engines but if you want the best chance to increase the lifetime of an engine and maximize reliability, then it's best to do as others say for at least the first 1000 miles. I'd avoid taking it over 3000rpm. In a manual I'd change up sooner but as you have a DSG - I'd avoid using 'sport' mode.  I'm not even sure if our Kodiaqs have 'launch control' but if they do, that's a big no no.

 

I'd add that part of the running in process is also to check your engine oil level. Any new engine can use oil whilst it beds in so always best to check and top up if necessary. 

Edited 9 January, 20215 yr by Guest

On 10/01/2021 at 01:13, Scot5 said:

Given they only keep the cars on their fleet for 6month, do the rental companies give a toss?

Agree, cannot have rentals as a baseline on how to drive a car

 

On 10/01/2021 at 01:13, Scot5 said:

I'm not even sure if our Kodiaqs have 'launch control' but if they do, that's a big no no.

Yes, they do

On 09/01/2021 at 23:13, Scot5 said:

 

, do the rental companies give a toss?

 

 

Fiollowing that logic do you also think same of company cars ? ... they arrive and are expeected to be fully at work staight away.    Owner knows he is handing it back in 2yrs time, irrespective of how its driven no cost penalty.

 

Edited 11 January, 20215 yr by Sargan

The list of cars that get a PDI and registered and then used just like a car gets used will include the Manufacturers Media Cars, Demonstrators, Courtesy Cars, Management cars which are often called 'Ex Management cars' along with Hire ones, Fleet / Lease, Motability cars etc.

 

They really are ready to go from the factory and the cars used like cars from the off do not seem to have any more issues or failures than a car bought as a keeper and 'Run in / Driven in' with great care.

 

The one issue with the 'Fleet / Manufacturers Management cars' is that oil might never get checked or topped up until a warning light comes on.

That seems common now also with people buying or leasing a car with their own money.

I agree ...... first time I opened my bonnet was when washer fluid light came on .......

2 hours ago, Sargan said:

Fiollowing that logic do you also think same of company cars ?

 

 

In general yes, but you're assuming every company driver is the same. I treated my company car the same way as I'd have treated my own. There are people who care about these things.

Edited 11 January, 20215 yr by Guest

2 hours ago, e-Roottoot said:

They really are ready to go from the factory and the cars used like cars from the off do not seem to have any more issues or failures than a car bought as a keeper and 'Run in / Driven in' with great care.

 

Talk about a Donald Trump-like comment. What evidence do you have to say those cars do not seem to have any more issues?  You're just making an assumption. "Do not seem"?  Please do expand on how you've gathered that evidence.

@Scot5 From years of experience of buying and trading in cars and going to auctions. Being a time served mechanic and being around cars other than mine has something to do with my comments.  ? What is your trade or profession?

@Scot5 re the Euro5 1.4 TSI 132-136 Twinchargers  (mentioned in the Kodiaq RS thread) which I know quite a lot about having owned and worked on them.   I owned one of the first demonstrators in the UK and there are a few members here that have owned the first ones including the 'press cars'.  I know the cars and know the history of some.  They are actually still on the road and with the original engines.   That is pretty good considering of the just under 3,000 Skoda Twinchargers in the UK registered it is over 20 % that have had engines replaced and some have required the replacement engine replaced.   The threads are pinned at the top of the Fabia MK2 section if you want to glean more knowledge from your computer screen rather than from getting a bonnet open. 

 

Edited 12 January, 20215 yr by e-Roottoot