To be honest, with modern engines and oils you may not need to run it in, but then again, why take the risk...

If I were you I'd keep it around 3,000 rpm for the fisrt 1,000 miles, change the oil, and then keep it around 4,000 for the next 1,000 miles

 

Thanks Gary

 

Yep Gary's advice is on the ball. Think machining tolerances are pretty fine nowadays. Still don't think it hurts to do a little 'fine polishing' of components to smooth the bits out a bit. Then a little more on the old loud pedal for a while, then back off, until you feel she is really smooth and free running. Old fashioned advice, but reckon it does more good than harm.

 

"Running in" a new engine isn't needed anymore, it's a controversial subject with widely differing views but for best performance the harder you run the engine the better it will perform, Run it as hard as you can from new, as hard as possible without damaging other mechanical components in the drivetrain such as clutch, gearbox and driveshafts etc.

 

If its a year old and been nowhere I would change the oil now if the car is going to be in regular use. I always considered its better to vary the engine speed when new, and try to keep off full power. Modern clearances usually mean you will get away with misuse.

 

It's a controversial subject, and I reckon it will always be so. Seen engines clapped through hammering, and misuse. But on the contrary bought a very low mileage car once, that had just poodled about for 24,000 miles that was a bit sick, to say the least. Think this is a subject that ends up,"You do your thing, I'll do mine."

 

I think Ascari is partly right - one of the worst things you can do is simply drive at the same revs throughout the whole of the running-in period, and then blasting it, but if the engine is tight driving it hards will almost certainly cause damage too. As I said, if I were you I'd keep it around 3,000rpm for the first 1,000 miles, and then 4,000rpm for the next 1,000 - but do use the whole of that rev-range

 

The old running in malarkey certainly is a bit different these days for sure........

A friend of mine is a service manager for Audi,their 1.8 Turbo engines are suffering oil consumption on a scale similar to our TS's(though they run on 5w/30).........he has observed that as a general rule the cars that go to to contract hire etc and get thrashed mercilessly every day suffer less oil consumption than those which are pampered by private owners doing fewer miles!

Makes you wonder if its worth treating your car with any respect?

 

A friend of mine is a service manager for Audi,their 1.8 Turbo engines are suffering oil consumption on a scale similar to our TS's(though they run on 5w/30).........he has observed that as a general rule the cars that go to to contract hire etc and get thrashed mercilessly every day suffer less oil consumption than those which are pampered by private owners doing fewer miles!

Interestingly, that is contrary to what Audi advise today on all of their new cars, all the current owners manuals say easy does it up to 1000km, bit harder up to 1500km and only full on after that.

My Spider 2.0TS was "run in" extremely gently by the previous owner. Might be just co-incidence but I have never had to put a drop of oil in between services....so I know which approach has my vote

 

EVO did a piece on this 3-4 months ago and the experts' view was that it was no longer necessary but unlikely to do any harm if you were a bit easy on it for the first 1000 miles. Modern tolerances and engine build quality plus better lubricants render redundant the traditional running in process. They didn't reckon it was a good idea to use long max rev runs straight out of the box.

 

The cars being serviced as it's 12 months old so will have an oil change anyway. I think it's a mix off all the above. Don't drive on minimal revs. but also avoid track days for the first couple thousand miles.

Thanks all

 

JFK's comments are exceedingly interesting. Those Engineers at Heilbron are nice chappies.Very clever too.

 

Interestingly, though slightly off topic, PDQ (a bike tuning centre in Berkshire) not only suggest that owners 'use' the revs from day one, but Dyno tests have shown that engines that are run-in 'purposefully' yield more power than those pampered by their riders.

Not saying it's a good idea to abuse your baby, but don't trundle round for 1000s of miles either.

Cheers,

Blakie

 

This subject cropped up on another Forum a few years back and iirc it turned into such a heated debate the thread was locked.
When I saw it I thought "should I answer or not" as thoughts of another scrap did enter my head. :tut:

I'm pleased it hasn't turned out that way here.

Regardless of your viewpoint on the subject check what his guy has to say in the following link regarding his experiences of running in over 300 new engines. He should know what he's talking about but when it's your £20-30k motor would you risk it, fascinating stuff.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

As I said before you pays your money, you takes your choice. I listen to others opinions, often gleaning good advice, but then make my own decisions accordingly. Its up to U.?

 

When I recently picked up my new Brera, I asked about this, & the salesman said "not necessary". No particular running in procedure, no new oil at 1k miles, no service needed until 18k miles!
I guess if you can resist the urge, a little early restraint can't do too much harm?
Matt.

 

this topic is of great interest to me as i pick up my new GT in a couple of weeks. I would tend to go with the conventional methods but after reading the article in the link ascari posted from motoman i'm not so sure anymore. it does make very interesting reading

 

....From the link it states you only have a 20 mile window of opportunity to get it right and if this is missed you have had it, the only way is re-honing the bores again which is basically deglazing them and starting again.

From the other Forum the general opinion was that it was best to run the car hard from day one, those that had experience of using say a "pool" car at work or hire/lease cars which are mostly thrashed and abused and could compare it with another equal model said the performance was far better in the company car and it's equal being sluggish in comparison.


The fastest car in the world is a hire car. !!!!

 

Interesting and very technically comprehensive site that Ascari. Makes a lot of sense too. One part that really grabbed me, was his reference to using something other than synthetic oils for 'Break In'. Used to be something that was always considered in the past, a running in oil, changed as recommended. Can't really offer up anything as comprehensive as that by comparison, but perhaps KG,Wrenched, and the other guys can put me straight. Friend of mine was sponsored by the Valvoline Oil Co. When he went into Drag Racing with I think it was Houndog 1,Via Jack Oldings. so a lot of it makes good sense. So where do we go from here? Presumably new vehicles have a Synthetic/Semi Synthetic, ex works? Change it after 20mls? This guy covers it in depth though, so perhaps a bit of both, nourish/punish, food for thought?

 

Interesting and very technically comprehensive site that Ascari. Makes a lot of sense too. One part that really grabbed me, was his reference to using something other than synthetic oils for 'Break In'. Used to be something that was always considered in the past, a running in oil, changed as recommended.

.....and there's another subject that has widely differing viewpoints ZF...Oil.
Some only use the best that money can buy like our Selenia, others go to Aldi and buy a 5L can for £3.99 and swear it's no different.
I was once told that there are only 3 or 4 companies throughout the world that refine oil and they all produce virtually the same identical end product, so when Castrol/Duckhams/Valvoline or whoever take delivery they add their little touches and a taint of colour to make it unique to them and charge you an absolute packet.
I don't know if any of it is true but if everyone in the manufacturing and selling chain can make a good profit from 5L of Motor Oil at £3.99 the £30 brands are raking it in.
I'm getting sidetracked here and going off topic but like you said earlier you pay your money and take your choice.

 

That I think is fact mate. Over the top for certain brands, so I try to make sense of the spec on the can if possible. That guy was well into it though, with his reference to the cross hatching after honing, and the rest of his info. Its always good to see both sides of the fence, but like you say it's difficult to come to a final personal decision. Anyway thanks for the link, I'm going to read it again later

 

OK. Assuming I opt for the rev it hard from the start route; what is the oil put in by Alfa Romeo from the start? Is it synthetic? Also if the window of opportunity is the first 20 miles, then don't some new cars come with some mileage on them already, robbing you of this opportunity?

This is not to enter the debate of how to, but just to know if the "rev it hard" option is actually achievable when you pick up a new car.

 

I don't know if this thread might be at all helpful:


http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-159/44637-best-way-to-run-in-new-engine.html

 

Very interesting thread, thanks for all the links.

 

Problem is, unless you can do a full engine strip-down after whatever method of Breaking/Running in you deploy, checking pistons,rings, grooves,bores, etc. you can't really determine the condition of the engine internals.Can only refer, boringly to the FIAT engine dismantled at 110,000mls, no real mechanical wear to speak of. Had to dig the carbon out if the ring grooves and so on.Should of gone further with glaze busting, new rings, shells, etc.etc. But didn't! Ran fine for further two years until I sold it. All down to frequent oil /filter changes,at about 6,000mls or so.As Ascari said, this one will run and run. Good topic though.The guy is obviously a race man, who wrote the article, smart guy, but as I don't race?

 

This thread may be one of those that goes on and on........

 

...and on....

 

.....and on :lol: