No need to run-in a new Porsche, really?

[tonyj74]

The biggest issue I had with running in was the tyres! I picked the car up during a dry spell and only drove it in the wet for the first time about a week later - it was like driving on ice with the ABS kicking in with even the tiniest application of the brake pedal! 50 miles later and everything was fine, but it had me worried for a bit: the tyres on a new car seem to be a lot "greaser" than new tyres you fit afterwards - perhaps they're newer than the ones that end up at the tyre fitters.

I notice that my Boxster doesn't need an oil change after the running-in period. Why would Porsche not advocate that if there was any chance it would be needed? Surely it would be more money for the dealers (and people would be very unlikely to skimp at such an early stage)? This does suggest that there can't be -that- much running in going on or a change would be needed, or perhaps the tolerance are such that the oil / filter can deal with the impurities...

[uktrailmonster]

wilkos said:

And I guess my masters in mechanical engineering.....

Taught you absolutely nothing at all about running in internal combustion engines. I know mine didn't. Way too specialist a subject for a simple mech eng degree.

[gsewell]

Best thing with running-in a new car is it gives the driver time to learn its character - so you don't get bitten by driving too hard too early and crashing.

[Blue62]

Love these threads almost as much as the manual v PDK. It's clear that there are plenty of qualified engineers who think running in is either uneccessary or actually harms the engine and while I would bow to their knowledge, I'm left with the manufacturers handbook, which suggests somthing rather different. I rarely keep a car for more than 2 years and always question why I run them in (I don't follow the instructions to the letter), but then I like to think that the next owner will get the benefit of my mechanical sympathy.

[Ash 996 GT2]

Buy car, cane it, sell it after 12 months

[uktrailmonster]

Blue62 said:

I'm left with the manufacturers handbook, which suggests somthing rather different.

I've got lots of engineering qualifications too and I take the same approach as you i.e. read what the manufacturer recommends. What they recommend makes perfect sense too, so why question it? Having said that, thrashing a cold engine (run in or otherwise) is about the worst thing you can do. Closely followed by countless miles of crawling around cities and silly long oil change intervals. Both guaranteed to lead to long term issues. In the overall scheme of things 'running in' is probably not so critical as some people have mentioned.