Hi All ,

I should be getting my new octavia vrs tdi soon, and i've been doing some research on how to run in a new car (as i've never had a brand new car b4)

Could anyone shed any light on the best way to break in a new car to get the best out of it.

Thanks alot

Ricky

I think the term "running in" is more appropriate, "breaking in" is tempting fate

Don't rev the *** off it, don't make the engine labour at low revs in high gears and don't use full throttle for the first few thousand miles then gradually work the engine harder as the mileage goes up.

Everyone has different ideas on this so it's going to be down to your judgement at the end of the day.

Enjoy the car

Oh and one more thing: MY 2.0 TDI took over 20,000 miles to fully loosen up so don't expect the best from your TDI for a good while

Drive it hard but not thrash it was always the best advice that i was given

dstev2000 - i agree "breaking in" does sound like tempting fate, so i have ammended the title.

Also how do you know when the car is run in, does it feel any different, what should i look out for

Ricky

Your car will feel different, when you drive it away from it's first service.

My car felt "looser" after at least 15,000 miles. The engine revved easier and picked up quicker when putting ones foot down. Theres no single sign to show the engine has run in but it will feel much quicker when it has done so, the fuel economy will improve over time so you could always log that and see the improvement for yourself.

When my TDI was new I was getting about 400-420 to a tank, I now get between 480 and 540 depending on my driving style.

Once all of the components of the engine have bed in you'll notice the difference.

Drive quickly but dont thrash it, let it rev rather than load the engine. The Octy vrsTdi has a diesel particle filter, if you drive it too slowly this will not be able to regenerate & the car will eventually fail, you will get warning lights before this happens to give you time to raise the exhaust temp, its not a case of just thrashing it so read the manual beforehand

Your car will feel different, when you drive it away from it's first service.

How?

Handbook says; first 1,000km (650 miles) - 3/4 throttle max and 3/4 revs max (3,000 rpm). Next 1,000 km (650 miles) gently increase revs and throttle usage until, say, 1,300 miles then go fo it!

Don't let the engine labour; long M'way inclines slip back to 5th, increase revs by 400 or so, rather than lug in 6th etc.

Simply; drive with mechanical sympathy (you should do this all the time anyway). Also remember you are 'running/bedding' in the tyres, brakes, gearbox etc.

Honest John says:

Honestjohn: Frequently Asked Questions

Drive it hard but not thrash it was always the best advice that i was given

I concur!

Chris

I think thats a bit OTT, just drive it without labouring it or thrashing it for the first 1000 miles then build it up from there, Ive always run Diesels in this way & never had a problem, they all do 100+ thousand before they are changed.

Carry some spare oil with you as most diesels use a bit of oil for the first few thousand miles, its all part of the bedding in process so dont panic the first time the oil light comes on. Ive always run it until the light comes on & then put in 1/2 a litre, if you want to be more careful check the oil every couple of weeks initially.

Although, according to the school of thought who drive their diesels like normal from day one, oil usage is not an issue

Horses for courses, but after seeing the oiks shuffling the cars around the docks, I really wouldn't worry about running in!

Chris

Ever talked to anyone who delivers cars for a living? The term "running in" does not compute!

Ever talked to anyone who delivers cars for a living? The term "running in" does not compute!

If I ever manage to catch up with one I will ask them ;)

Ever talked to anyone who delivers cars for a living? The term "running in" does not compute!

Isnt the only running they do is to get to the toilet when desparate ?

Isnt the only running they do is to get to the toilet when desparate ?

I've encountered a few of these delivery bods, usually the people stood at M-way junctions holding a trade plate and a piece of cardboard with "London" or whatever written on it. They drive them like they stole 'em.

Saying that, my car (ZZH) and the other company Octavia (ZYH) were delivered at the same time, mine on a trailer with 2 miles on it and the other was rallied about 78 miles from the dealer. The rally driven car uses much less oil than mine.

I've encountered a few of these delivery bods, usually the people stood at M-way junctions holding a trade plate and a piece of cardboard with "London" or whatever written on it. They drive them like they stole 'em.

Saying that, my car (ZZH) and the other company Octavia (ZYH) were delivered at the same time, mine on a trailer with 2 miles on it and the other was rallied about 78 miles from the dealer. The rally driven car uses much less oil than mine.

The dealers can reset the clock once before it reaches 100 miles I believe, that means yours could have driven 99 miles to the trailer & been reset as it was loaded :)

I forgot about that, mine was probably thrashed to within an inch of its life then.