Best way to run in a new motor?
Discussion
Hello chaps - while debating the eternal question of 997 Porsche ownership, we have procured a new mazda 2 tamuda for the missus. Delivered next week, brand new 12 plate.
Led to an interesting question having never owned a new car... what's the best advice for running it in? She does a lot of school runs and I do a bit of motorway, so just looking for the right way to do it. Being a 1.3 with 86 raging japanese horses I am guessing that thrashing it isn't smart! Any advice appreciated, want to bed the engine in over the first thousand or so miles and not damage it.
Cheers!
Led to an interesting question having never owned a new car... what's the best advice for running it in? She does a lot of school runs and I do a bit of motorway, so just looking for the right way to do it. Being a 1.3 with 86 raging japanese horses I am guessing that thrashing it isn't smart! Any advice appreciated, want to bed the engine in over the first thousand or so miles and not damage it.
Cheers!
No need to observe a breaking in process really these days, mixed driving including labouring and revving in the early life of the engine is beneficial in the long term in minimising oil consumption and increasing cylinder compression.
Edited by HustleRussell on Tuesday 21st February 18:02
You dont really need to run new cars in these days but if you want to be kind to the engine run it gently for the first 1000 or so miles. The garage will probably want you to book an oil service once it has run 1000 miles and they will change the oil and the oil filter. After that feel free to drive it like a hire car.
Wife is using a Toyota Auris 1.3.
I used it on the motorways for the first few 000s of it's life and gave it a bit of stick if I'm honest..
At 20k it feels much more urgent than the 5k loaner she got during the service.
My advice: just give it some and take it back under warranty if anything fails.
I used it on the motorways for the first few 000s of it's life and gave it a bit of stick if I'm honest..
At 20k it feels much more urgent than the 5k loaner she got during the service.
My advice: just give it some and take it back under warranty if anything fails.
doogz said:
Minimising compression you say? 
Typo, now edited. I did of course mean increasing engine compression by bedding the piston rings into the bores as early as early and quickly as possible. The theory goes that the bores don't get 'polished' like they can using a soft break-in process.
doogz said:
Minimising compression you say?
I'd check the owners manual, see if it says anything particular, but the days of the "Please pass, running in" sign in the rear window are gone i reckon.
Only New car in the family here was the e92 m3 which came with strict instructions, as did my mates rs4. They're performance engines so may be different but no harm taking it easy for 1000-1200 miles. I'd check the owners manual, see if it says anything particular, but the days of the "Please pass, running in" sign in the rear window are gone i reckon.
sday12 said:
If you mean shoving 2 litres of regular in whilst smoking a fag then spanking it 1/2 a mile onto a transporter then I suppose so.
Anyone worried about running in their new car - Take a trip up to Grimsby docks and watch through the fence as an endless stream of Yaris's and Nissans do burnouts across the big carpark onto the big transporter ship!
ks of my company cars from day 1 never had a problem in 60k miles and 3 bmwsGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff