new 981 S ----tips on collecting the car and running-in

[carspath]

I've just bought one of the last 5 unregistered 981 S 's available through the OPC network

this was following 2 back to back test drives in a 981S vs 718S------and for my personal tastes , the older 6 cylinder normally aspirated car was the car to go for

please could I have your tips re :

1) the collection process from the opc
2) running in the car

the car has pdk , chrono, pse, pasm , and cosmetically is very similar to the GTS , having the Porsche exclusive front and rear options fitted

the car is due for collection in 2 weeks time

anything , I should ask/do at collection

do these cars need running in ----esp with regards to the 3.4 engine and the pdk gearbox----what things should I avoid doing to preserve the car's long-term health ?

the 1st service ia due at 2 years/20,000 miles----- have any of you chosen to get a first oil change before this time-period/mileage?

any other relevant tips awaited gratefully

[Andrew911]

Congrats on getting a 981 - think it is also a better car than the latest 718 IMO.

Collection day - just enjoy it! It's not every day you collect a new Porsche. The OPC should make it a great experience. The main thing on collection day is the sales person will go through the car with you on anything you don't know how to operate. You should get a full tank of fuel.

Running - in - worth reading thread on Boxster Spyder. The manual will say for the first 1865 miles avoid short trips, don't load the engine, no full revs etc. For the Spyder I'am keeping the revs below 4K for the first 2000 miles (based on an article quoting Porsche Engineers - I provided the link to this on the Boxster Spyder thread). But others on here have different views.

Enjoy collection day

[Porsche911R]

pick up car, start going up the revs from 400 miles without big loads .
Why run in a engine at 4k revs for 2k miles, it will have a shock when you want to then floor it as it will be all bedded in at 4k :-(
makes for a tight non freer reving engine.

change manual if PDK as that will drop you in too low a gear and lug the engine and avoid sports plus as that will thrash the engine.

[NBTBRV8]

When picking up ask to pick up in the show room under fluoro lights. Have a good look around the time as now is the time to spot any flaws because as soon as you drive it out you lose the chance for unfettered comeback.

I would keep under 4k rpm but give it the occasional rev higher and try to do mostly long runs, rather than stop starts.

[Dreds]

As you would expect on a forum, you will get the extremes of running-in advice here. I've kept below 4500rpm for the first 1000mls, with an occasional blip to 5000rpm. After a 1000mls I've being uping the rev limit gradually so that I'm revving to 7000rpm at the 1400mls point.
Personally I think you are more likely to cause engine damage by not warming it up properly before giving it some.
I only use the PDK in manual mode, but if you are going to use its auto function I would put it in sport to avoid loading the new engine.

[Malo]

Just ask the OPC how to run it in. If you plan to keep it in warranty as long as you can (up to 15 years) then if they give the wrong advice they pick up the bill.

[Andrew911]

Malo said:

Just ask the OPC how to run it in. If you plan to keep it in warranty as long as you can (up to 15 years) then if they give the wrong advice they pick up the bill.

From my experience the sales staff in OPC's don't seem to really know how to run in a new engine. They say vague things like "these engines are already run in; but don't red line it for first 500 miles" or refer you to the manual. All a bit vague tbh. Most on here have different views on this. Probably the most valuable is to avoid short journeys, don't over load the engine, if PDK use it in manual mode & don't over rev it during the running in period.

Edited by Andrew911 on Tuesday 31st May 12:42

[AndyCGTS]

According to OPC Colchester there is no running in period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH9m885sBaQ&t=2...

I'd personally be going with what it says in the manual which is just how Andrew911 describes it as I've run mine in exactly the same manor.

Edited by AndyCGTS on Tuesday 31st May 14:21

[carspath]

thank you all , for taking the time to educate me

please could you explain a term that many of you have used : ''don't LOAD the engine ''

what do you mean by not loading the engine ?
does this essentially mean not driving at too low revs ?
if so , what is the lowest RPM that I should be driving at ?

also , how does driving in automatic mode ''LOAD'' the engine ?
is this because the car's software tries to use the minimum rpm for any given road speed ?

I don't have the owners manual yet , and I then have a 4 hour drive from the OPC back home , and I don't want to hurt/damage the engine on my very first trip !!!

[JLZ78]

Loading, or lugging for our US counterparts call it, is driving in too high a gear with larger throttle openings. For example if in 4th and approaching a hill at 30mph, you should change down to 3rd to go up the hill, rather than loading the engine just by adding more throttle and making the engine work harder under the load of the extra gradient.

Bit simplistic, but hopefully you get the idea.

That said, as long as all fluids are topped up properly and warmed through, driving the car moderately and smoothly with occasional higher rev periods during the break in period is not a bad strategy.

[carspath]

thank you JLZ78 FOR THAT CLEAR EXPLANATION

[Krobar]

My 981 needed longer to bed in than I thought, kept below 4000RPM for 500miles and below 6000RPM for a 1000 miles after that. Took some spirited red line chasing though and another 4000 miles for it free up. Average economy went up by about 4-5mpg too in those 4000 miles despite being driven harder.

[bcr5784]

You might find oil consumption is a bit higher when the engine is newish. Mine went from max to min in 8000 miles but others have posted significantly more than that.