Hello there. I've just bought a brand new car (diesel). My grandad insists I need to run it in - ie, take it a long journey soon, avoid high revs and suchlike. He reckons this will make the car have a longer life.
Is that really true? And if so, does anyone have any good running in regimes?
2007-01-26 22:07:52 · 19 answers · asked by Chris S 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yes, it still applies to a point, although you don't need to put a 'Running in, please pass' sign in the window! Just make sure you don't labour the engine and keep an eye on the oil level, it may use a bit while you are running in. The purpose of running in a new car is because not all moving components are a perfect fit, such as the crankshaft and bearing shells and the piston rings and bores, after run in, these should have bedded in to form perfect seals, which is why you should never cane a brand new engine either. All of the bearings elsewhere on the car need a chance to bed in too, so do the brake pads and discs. Make sure if theres any interim service before the main one to take it in, because car manufacturers used to, not sure if they still do, fill the engine with a special blend oil that could cope with the added debris that running in creates, the engine will shed microscopic amounts of metal during run in, which is why you had to have it changed after 5 or 600 miles. So, yes, drive it gently for the first 1000 miles, then you can gradually get meaner with it!
2007-01-26 22:23:42 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Sarcastic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would indeed have been important in grandad's day, but it's really not necessary now.
Just keep the revs sensible, i.e. avoid excessively high revs as well as excessively low revs. Your handbook will probably quote maximum torque revs and maximum power revs, keep somewhere between the two. And keep an eye on the oil, new engines do sometimes use a bit before they settle down. Oh, and avoid tyre-spinning starts and violent braking.
Hope you enjoy your new car.
2007-01-27 06:15:57 · answer #2 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is less important than in the old days due to improved engine technologies and improved engine oils, however, taking it a bit easy for the first 5000 ks (3000 miles) will extend the engine life.
The best regime is to not use high revs under load and to also not over rev when cold. Generally 2500 revs is a good running in limit, exceed downhill when not under load.
2007-01-27 06:14:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This used to be the case in your Grandads youth but not so important today, with advances in engineering engines and gearboxes are built to a very high specification and the need to run them in when new has all but evaporated. There should be details in the manual provided with car should the manufacturer recommend a run in period, but I doubt it. I still like to take things easy for the first couple of thousand miles, but guess this is due to my age and old habit die hard thing
2007-01-27 06:16:36 · answer #4 · answered by BobC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did it with my bike and it is good for the engine just drive sensible don't rev the guts out of it and don't flog it.
At first i only rode it to 90 ks and after a 2 weeks or so 100 ks and keep up the services and congratulations
2007-01-27 06:39:30 · answer #5 · answered by deb m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Todays engines do not require running in. Machining tolerances and general engineering has vastly improved since the old days.
However, having said that, it is always worth treating your engine with care as it will definately last longer than a thrashed example.
2007-01-27 08:48:34 · answer #6 · answered by DIANE C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can understand your grandad saying this.....it's an old-fashioned thing. In the olden days........40-50 years ago, if you had a new car you had to drive it very slowly and carefully for the first 10,000 miles or so. People used to have a notice in the back window saying 'Running in'. I remember seeing them......#sigh#
It isn't necessary these days.
2007-01-27 06:22:44 · answer #7 · answered by lou b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the first 500 miles dont drive faster than 50mph or strain the engine on hills (us lower gear) then have oil filter and engine oil changed you will get a much longer life if you do
2007-01-27 10:38:52 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a good idea to break her in a tad but, diesel engines are kind of loose to begin with (no super tight tolerances), so just drive it normal for the first six months, GASOLINE engines are tighter, and will actually have more H.P a year later, than when they were new off the line.
2007-01-27 06:18:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will tell you all that in the book.
usually never over 100 for the first 6 months and servie 2000, 5000 and 10,000
2007-01-27 06:11:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋