Engine loosening up

[Vladimir]

Our VW California is only our third new car but after only 1300 miles, the amount the engine has loosened is astonishing! What felt like a useful but sluggish lump now feels quite lively, free revving and much more pokey. There's a very long dual carriageway hill I drive up after night riding with a mate. If has an old 306 tdiesel. Four weeks ago I could just keep up. Last week the van was way quicker. Its actually quite fun to drive now - limited not by tyre grip, more how well the cupboards are packed!

Anyone else had such dramatic differences when running in?!

[Dave Hedgehog]

i suspect VWs have a "run in" engine map, ours seamed to have 30% more power after 1000 miles

[Nick M]

Dad had a diesel Mondeo which took a while to 'loosen up', but once it had it got quicker and returned progressively better fuel economy.

We were trying to come up with rational explanations for this, and the only one which seemed to stack up was that the piston rings / bores were better sealed after the engine had seen some miles.

[Vladimir]

Mpg is much better too. Weird!