Running in new engines.
Discussion
Do I? Yes
Do I think I have to for the good of the engine? No
I do it because I'm told to - for the sake of the warranty. I guess if I rev the nuts off it with 30 miles on the clock it will be recorded and warranty work in the future might be difficult (that said if it's a 1000 - 2000 mile run in period it will always be covered in 2 days anyway. When I got my Range Rover delivery date I booked it in for it's first service 2 days later)
Do I think I have to for the good of the engine? No
I do it because I'm told to - for the sake of the warranty. I guess if I rev the nuts off it with 30 miles on the clock it will be recorded and warranty work in the future might be difficult (that said if it's a 1000 - 2000 mile run in period it will always be covered in 2 days anyway. When I got my Range Rover delivery date I booked it in for it's first service 2 days later)
If it's a new car, it's not just the engine that's being run in. It's gearbox, driveshafts, differentials, brakes, suspension etc.
It's certainly not going to do any harm taking it easy for 500/1000 miles, so why take the risk (however small).
As for bench testing, are ALL engines run in like this and are they under load etc.? Replacement engines too? reconditioned engines? rebuilt ones? and so on...
It's certainly not going to do any harm taking it easy for 500/1000 miles, so why take the risk (however small).
As for bench testing, are ALL engines run in like this and are they under load etc.? Replacement engines too? reconditioned engines? rebuilt ones? and so on...
Its about not being daft with it.
My MX5 now has 600 miles on it. Now I am beginning to explore the revs a bit, no red lining 'till about 1000 miles.
Where my place is in Scotland, It often requires a bit of beans to get it up an incline and onto a fast A road. I hate running the cars at high revs when cold but sometimes if the traffic is heavy I have to.
Been lucky so far with the MX5 no high revs from cold yet.
My MX5 now has 600 miles on it. Now I am beginning to explore the revs a bit, no red lining 'till about 1000 miles.
Where my place is in Scotland, It often requires a bit of beans to get it up an incline and onto a fast A road. I hate running the cars at high revs when cold but sometimes if the traffic is heavy I have to.
Been lucky so far with the MX5 no high revs from cold yet.
Having run in a good 20+ cars back when i was working in stealerships i would say it doesn't really make that much difference.
A lot of cars, rentals, courtesy cars etc etc are thrashed from day 1. I wouldn't say on average they have any more problems than a car that's cared for.
However my own (un-scientific) observation was that particularly on diesels taking it easy for the first couple of thousand seemed to give marginally better MPG (from the trip comp). I tried this back to back on a few identical cars. I.e thrash one, then the next one run it in.
As others have mentioned if you like to wrap your cars in cotton wool i suggest you never vist a factory or shipping docks. The speed at which brand new cars moved around and loaded and unloaded will upset you greatly.
My own personal cars i have always run in, not because i firmly beleive it offers any benefit, it just feels the right thing to do.
A lot of cars, rentals, courtesy cars etc etc are thrashed from day 1. I wouldn't say on average they have any more problems than a car that's cared for.
However my own (un-scientific) observation was that particularly on diesels taking it easy for the first couple of thousand seemed to give marginally better MPG (from the trip comp). I tried this back to back on a few identical cars. I.e thrash one, then the next one run it in.
As others have mentioned if you like to wrap your cars in cotton wool i suggest you never vist a factory or shipping docks. The speed at which brand new cars moved around and loaded and unloaded will upset you greatly.
My own personal cars i have always run in, not because i firmly beleive it offers any benefit, it just feels the right thing to do.
Dracoro said:
If it's a new car, it's not just the engine that's being run in. It's gearbox, driveshafts, differentials, brakes, suspension etc.
It's certainly not going to do any harm taking it easy for 500/1000 miles, so why take the risk (however small).
As for bench testing, are ALL engines run in like this and are they under load etc.? Replacement engines too? reconditioned engines? rebuilt ones? and so on...
Unless you run it in so lightly the rings glaze increasing blowby and permanently reducing the power/efficiency. Of the engines I've rebuilt I've always run them in hard and they've felt healthy with the oil staying golden. None have gone bang, touch wood. It's certainly not going to do any harm taking it easy for 500/1000 miles, so why take the risk (however small).
As for bench testing, are ALL engines run in like this and are they under load etc.? Replacement engines too? reconditioned engines? rebuilt ones? and so on...
Cyder said:
The irony with it is that within seconds of the engine being started for the first time on the production line it is driven onto a rolling road and thrashed hard during the tests. 
If Mr and Mrs Smith with their brand new Honda Jazz knew this they'd probably have a seizure!
They are then caned in a much less scientific manner by several people between the factory and the dealership, followed by a final hammering during the PDI check.If Mr and Mrs Smith with their brand new Honda Jazz knew this they'd probably have a seizure!
EDLT said:
Cyder said:
The irony with it is that within seconds of the engine being started for the first time on the production line it is driven onto a rolling road and thrashed hard during the tests.
If Mr and Mrs Smith with their brand new Honda Jazz knew this they'd probably have a seizure!
They are then caned in a much less scientific manner by several people between the factory and the dealership, followed by a final hammering during the PDI check.If Mr and Mrs Smith with their brand new Honda Jazz knew this they'd probably have a seizure!
HellDiver said:
Drive it as you intend to for it's life. Change the oil early.
Rentals and cop cars always go better, because they've been driven hard from day one.
Personally I think "running in" a diesel engine by taking it easy is dangerous, you risk polishing the bores.
That's down to modern ECUs learning your driving technique, many a car comes to me with the complaint it's slow compaired to a mates so i wipe the ECU's KAM, gibe it a thrash and 9 times out of ten it improves throttle response and power delivery.Rentals and cop cars always go better, because they've been driven hard from day one.
Personally I think "running in" a diesel engine by taking it easy is dangerous, you risk polishing the bores.
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