Break in Period

[Sunny_Eos]

Does anyone know how many miles you should break in the car before going on an extended trip? The manual says 1000 miles for staying under 3000 rpms but I've heard that it's better for the engine if you do mostly city driving when breaking in the engine instead of taking an extended drive (~6 hours). Any ideas how many miles this lasts for?

Thanks

[Eos_Up]

I would just stick with what the manual says. Regardless, I don't think you will see the tach above 3000 rpm unless you "kick" it hard or drive in the "S" mode. With normal driving, the car upshifts around 3000 or less.

[drbass]

Interesting topic with a wide range of answers.

"Drive it like you stole it" was my dealer's advice when I picked up our Eos. Other advice available on the internet (extended discussions can be found here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=464223 - I hope this link to a different site does not contravene forum conventions) recommends loading rather than revving. What does that mean? Find a hill, find the right gear to be at peak torque, then floor it up to 3,000 rpm. Release accelerator. Repeat to end of hill. The idea behind this is that the turbo builds up high pressure which helps "seat" the piston rings, something that is not achieved by "revving without resistance".

Stop start traffic is ideal for breaking in the engine, but on extended trips with a new car you simply follow the advice to vary load (i.e. accelerate/decelerate) rather than maintaining constant speed. Yes, it's not economical to start with but will be beneficial in the long run.

Please note that this is just one opinion (which I have followed successfully twice), and your mileage may vary. Of course I will not be responsible should any damage occur.
And, lastly, I am referring to turbo diesels - which you may not have (you didn't specify).

Hope this helps an/or sparks some discussion.

[Darren]

"Drive it like you stole it" was advice given to me as well..........then I got a speeding ticket 3 weeks into ownership

[Rathbod]

Drive it like you stole it" was advice given to me as well.

I have been in the motor industry for 35+ years, I have had to many new cars (mainy company cars) too count, on average about 4 per year, I have always driven my cars for the 1st hundred miles or so with caution, to take the edge off the brakes and tyres, then drive them as you mean to go on. After all you only have a warranty for so long, as you get further into the warranty they use the ploy well it is wear and tear etc etc. If anything is going to go wrong you want it to go wrong whilst you have the warranty.

Go out and enjoy it.

Derek

[kipperjet]

Most people, with a new toy, are likely to do at least 1000 miles/1500kms in the first few weeks of ownership, not too long to show a little restraint I would have thought. Say, for example, the engine blows in that time with the tacho needle stuck bent round the stops, are you totally convinced that VW's friendly lawyers are going to happily agree to replacing the donk?

My dealer's workshop manager told me I could drive it like mad from day one, so I nodded, and after I had driven quietly home I read the manual. I've had engineers tell me fanciful tales for 40 years, and I know when to ignore them. I found that asking them to put their suggestion in the tech log, and sign it, usually stopped that kind of nonsense. Kept me, and my 300 pax safe!

Totally ignoring the clear instructions [given in the 3.2.13 of the handbook I possess] is only for the very brave, especially with the reference to oil consumption.

[drbass]

kipperjet,

Noone mentioned tacho needles bent around the stop. All I mentioned was "loading".

In our month and (only) 1600 kms of ownership our trusty TDI has not been revved overe 3500 ("redline" at 4500 rpm), and only once past 2000 km will I attempt to go to 4,000 rpm. Then, a bit further down the track the red line will have to be conquered (as I have done with my Passat TDI on a regular basis once past 5,000 km).

I absolutely don't recommend trashing the engine - I have a lot of mechanical empathy (if that makes sense). However, they're made to tight tolerances, and to withstand "vollgas" (full throttle) on European, particularly German, freeways.

Check the oil every time you fill up (it's a 30 sec thing) for the first 4,000 - 5,000 km. Top up as required, and enjoy.

Just my approach - your mileage may vary (I'm sure it does between visits to the service station .

Enjoy a beautiful car.

Seeya,
Michael

[kipperjet]

Great all, but "drive it like you stole it" as 4 dealers here mentioned have said, to me doesn't seem like good advice, unless all thieves are totally conscientious about their [new found] property!!!!

How's about "drive it as per the handbook and you will not invalidate the warranty" sound from your dealer, who obviously knows a lot more about VW engines than the manufacturers!

[Sunny_Eos]

Mine is not a diesel. It has the DSG transmission. I assume the varying speed would still apply though.

Thanks for all the great responses! This is a great board for common tech advice.

[Kieranol]

This is my second Vw diesel, both from new (Golf and Eos). The first I drove "like I stole it" and it repaid me by giving me average fuel economy and above average oil consumption. The second I drove very conservatively and it is performing exceptionally well. High fuel economy and no oil consumption at all. Choose carefully on your driving style in those early days would be my advice. The manner in which you run the vehicle determines how the engine will perform over time. Just remember it is irreversible.

[drbass]

Yep, my second VW Diesel as well.

First one a Passat TDI wagon (125 kW), 17 months old in 2 days, close to 35,000 km. Broken in as indicated above ("dilysi" - loading, not revving).
Oil consumption 250 ml in the first 15,000, zero since then.
Fuel economy 6.9l/100 km (calculated, not according to the optimistic computer) with mixed (short commutes and longish trips), fun-oriented driving. I'm happy with that.

The Eos is currently treated in a similar manner, and I would expect similar results with next-to-nothing oil consumption and fuel economy in the low 6/high 5 region (currently - with mostly short distances - just over 7l/100 km for the first 1,600 km).

Anyway, it appears that we all have slightly different experiences. I maintain that hard acceleration loading the engine (but NOT over-revving!!!) once the engine is properly warmed up is beneficial but your mileage may vary.

Happy driving.

Seeya,
Michael

[CIB]

My new Eos is my fifth VW diesel (last one - Passat - we still have - it's barely run in at 160,000 miles! The Passat before that had more than 250,000 miles on the clock before we got rid of it). My philosophy has always been to go a bit easy for first 500 miles gradually getting it used to my style of driving - fast and using the gears (that's what they're there for!), but no over-revving ... and I'm still using VWs so ... And regular oil changes, whatever it says in the manual.

[neh321]

Originally Posted by Kieranol

This is my second Vw diesel, both from new (Golf and Eos). The first I drove "like I stole it" and it repaid me by giving me average fuel economy and above average oil consumption. The second I drove very conservatively and it is performing exceptionally well. High fuel economy and no oil consumption at all. Choose carefully on your driving style in those early days would be my advice. The manner in which you run the vehicle determines how the engine will perform over time. Just remember it is irreversible.

I'm with you on this.
I ALWAYS treat my cars gently for the first 7/800 miles and am generally rewarded with reliable and great-performing cars. Even my old Alfa gave no trouble whatsoever in 70K miles, and they can give no end of grief...
Personally I think it's crucial to get the engine bedded in then bit by bit tax it and I would say all my cars have delivered better and better performance as they get older, with no reliability issues.



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[V6 Bandit]

I was the same, drove sensibly up to the recommended rev limit for 6-700 miles then gradually built things up. I am getting good mpg for a big lump and have only ever had oil changed at service interval, didnt even use a drop when running in.
This is my second VW that I have done this too, previous was V5 Bora, and it works for me.
Tim