Do modern engines need running in?
Discussion
Curious to know what people's thoughts on this are. I know the temptation when you get a new car is to see what it'll do right from the jump, but do modern engines really require running in like old engines?
I'd have thought that nowadays modern lubricants and machining techniques mean that if the engine is up to temp then rag away to your hearts content, regardless of how new it is....
I'd have thought that nowadays modern lubricants and machining techniques mean that if the engine is up to temp then rag away to your hearts content, regardless of how new it is....
DartyBistard said:
Curious to know what people's thoughts on this are. I know the temptation when you get a new car is to see what it'll do right from the jump, but do modern engines really require running in like old engines?
I'd have thought that nowadays modern lubricants and machining techniques mean that if the engine is up to temp then rag away to your hearts content, regardless of how new it is....
RTFMI'd have thought that nowadays modern lubricants and machining techniques mean that if the engine is up to temp then rag away to your hearts content, regardless of how new it is....
Although modern engines are much better than they used to be, I think modern engines still benefit from several 30-60 minute sessions at a steady 70mph.
Quite often my wife and I bought a nearly new car which was a little thirsty on oil but was completely cured after several long fast motorway journeys.
I suspect that cars which haven't done the above are the ones which suffer pre-ignition and wrecked engines, since it has been suggested that excessive oil getting past the piston rings can severely affect combustion. Basically oil lowers the octane of the fuel, making it more prone to knock or pre-ignition, making the engine more prone to piston failure.
My Viva was quite an oil-burner when I bought it at 5k miles, 1yr old. After a few long fast runs it hasn't used a drop of oil in 2yrs. The same basic engine block was used in Vauxhall's disastrous 1.0T engine, of which most have now blown up as a result of pre-ignition. I speculate those blown engines never got a decent run-in, so burned oil, which led to their premature death.
Quite often my wife and I bought a nearly new car which was a little thirsty on oil but was completely cured after several long fast motorway journeys.
I suspect that cars which haven't done the above are the ones which suffer pre-ignition and wrecked engines, since it has been suggested that excessive oil getting past the piston rings can severely affect combustion. Basically oil lowers the octane of the fuel, making it more prone to knock or pre-ignition, making the engine more prone to piston failure.
My Viva was quite an oil-burner when I bought it at 5k miles, 1yr old. After a few long fast runs it hasn't used a drop of oil in 2yrs. The same basic engine block was used in Vauxhall's disastrous 1.0T engine, of which most have now blown up as a result of pre-ignition. I speculate those blown engines never got a decent run-in, so burned oil, which led to their premature death.
https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/break-in-a-...
BMW said:
Many drivers wonder whether breaking in a new car is still necessary or if this practice has been superseded with the advances in technology. The answer? Yes and no...
Doing an engine break-in used to be a standard procedure with new cars. And it’s still the case that you should avoid running the engine at high RPM for the first 1,300 miles. Experts recommend a maximum 3,500 rpm and 90 mph in diesel models and 4,500 rpm and 100 mph in gas models. This will give the engine and transmission sufficient time to adjust to each other. Once you’ve reached the 1,300-mile mark, you can gradually increase your speed and your engine’s RPM. In particular, avoid to put too much strain on a cold engine. However, that’s true not just when breaking in a new car but for the whole life cycle of your car. Likewise, never turn off an engine that has been running hard. Allow it to cool down by driving a few miles at a gentle pace.
Doing an engine break-in used to be a standard procedure with new cars. And it’s still the case that you should avoid running the engine at high RPM for the first 1,300 miles. Experts recommend a maximum 3,500 rpm and 90 mph in diesel models and 4,500 rpm and 100 mph in gas models. This will give the engine and transmission sufficient time to adjust to each other. Once you’ve reached the 1,300-mile mark, you can gradually increase your speed and your engine’s RPM. In particular, avoid to put too much strain on a cold engine. However, that’s true not just when breaking in a new car but for the whole life cycle of your car. Likewise, never turn off an engine that has been running hard. Allow it to cool down by driving a few miles at a gentle pace.
rockin said:
Do they need running-in? No
Should you rag them from new? No
Drive sensibly for the first 1,000 miles and all will be fine.
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The third bullet point contradicts the first two!Should you rag them from new? No
Drive sensibly for the first 1,000 miles and all will be fine.
.
I always believe in running in any new engine gently - In my view one should use no more than half throttle, exceed 3000 rpm, or let the engine Labour (xxxxing IPad spellcheck) at all for first 200 miles, and then gradually loosen this up over the first 1500 miles. Pays dividends later in the car’s life.
fiju said:
Rag it from new. Makes no difference. You'll get more wear from cold starts than from ignoring any break in procedure. If the engine's going to lunch its bearings, it wont be because it hasn't been run in.
What a load of cobblers.Yes, you don't have to "run in" a new car at 40mph like you used to do in the 1960's, but it's common sense to drive sensibly for the first few hundred miles, engines cost thousands of pounds.
Glosphil said:
UpThe said:
No, it’s leased, so who cares.
I think this if buying an ex-rental car. When it was new do renters treat it as a new car should be treated? I doubt it. dMy current Volvo had no specific running in instructions, so I just kept the revs down, avoided full throttle, and varied the revs on long journeys.
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