To run in a new car or not ?

Talon · 8 Sep 2009 at 12:21

This seems to be one of the those subject were people I've spoken to are 50/50. Some say run a car in other says you don't need to anymore.

The sales guy who sold me a Civic reconned you don't need to run 'em in as did his college but I thought I would gather some other opinions before I go collect.

So question is: Do you need to 'run in' a modern engine?

Cheers.
Jon.

Confused · 8 Sep 2009 at 12:22

You need to ideally follow the instructions provided in the handbook of the vehicle.

richb_83 · 8 Sep 2009 at 12:23

Confused said:
You need to ideally follow the instructions provided in the handbook of the vehicle.

+1 just follow the fools guide

SpeedFreak · 8 Sep 2009 at 12:46

If you don't run it in and you're wrong, it could reduce the life of your engine, if you do run it in and they're wrong, no harm done. Is it really worth the risk?

Thomas. PLease. · 8 Sep 2009 at 12:48

These cars roll off the production line in swindon, and are redlined up a runway through all the gears as a check. I doubt you will have a problem if you are sensible.

markweatherill · 8 Sep 2009 at 13:00

Talon said:
This seems to be one of the those subject were people I've spoken to are 50/50. Some say run a car in other says you don't need to anymore.

The sales guy who sold me a Civic reconned you don't need to run 'em in as did his college but I thought I would gather some other opinions before I go collect.

So question is: Do you need to 'run in' a modern engine?

Cheers.
Jon.

So, is it new or reconned?

Does anyone else remember seeing 'RUNNING IN - PLEASE PASS' signs on cars?

Talon · 8 Sep 2009 at 13:08

I have to read a manual !! :eek:

1st brand new car I've had don't wanna break it in the 1st hundred miles

Cheers.

4T5 · 8 Sep 2009 at 13:09

If it's Yours then Yes but if it is Hired or Leased then No.

Berger · 8 Sep 2009 at 13:17

Thomas. PLease. said:
These cars roll off the production line in swindon, and are redlined up a runway through all the gears as a check. I doubt you will have a problem if you are sensible.

How many cars do they make a day, and what do they do at night with regards to this, must create some noise or does the factory shut down production?

bledd · 8 Sep 2009 at 13:44

Berger said:
How many cars do they make a day, and what do they do at night with regards to this, must create some noise or does the factory shut down production?

so there's the possibility of a 24/7 kickin in y0? wow

Matt82 · 8 Sep 2009 at 13:50

if i ever end up with a new engine is going to get run in hard

jackoh · 8 Sep 2009 at 14:05

Berger said:
How many cars do they make a day, and what do they do at night with regards to this, must create some noise or does the factory shut down production?

I used to work there, they have 2 plants running about 300 cars a day, now I think that has gone down somewhat due to the massive redundancy they made earlier this year, the plant is pretty secluded and runs right next to a dual carriagway/the m4 and late shifts stop at 00.20, so no real issues there.

Pete19s · 8 Sep 2009 at 14:20

bledd. said:
so there's the possibility of a 24/7 kickin in y0? wow

Ever wondered why the earth rotates? Dont believe all the piffle you were taught in school. Personally I would run it with some sympathy for a couple of hundred miles, let it warm up nicely then drive it hard. Wasnt there a link to a website floating around on here where some chap had his own method for running in engines? Taking no mercy?

Dangerous Dave · 8 Sep 2009 at 14:25

I did a medium hard run in on mine. Just make sure you warm it up properly give it full throttle every so often to 5-5.5k ish and don't let it labour and let it cool down when you are finished. After 1500miles I gave it a oil change and then gave it plenty of revs after this. Mines ran 20bhp over stock power on 2 different rolling roads so certainly didn't do it any harm.

lordrobs · 8 Sep 2009 at 15:02

Pete19s said:
Ever wondered why the earth rotates? Dont believe all the piffle you were taught in school. Personally I would run it with some sympathy for a couple of hundred miles, let it warm up nicely then drive it hard. Wasnt there a link to a website floating around on here where some chap had his own method for running in engines? Taking no mercy?

There was but I think that only really applied to race engines as it had to be done pretty much from the first turn of the key.

I would be careful with it when cold but once warmed up (oil temp not the water) I would drive it normally.

Barks · 8 Sep 2009 at 16:18

Just be on the safe side and don't rag it for the first 500 miles. It's a baby don't force it to run before it can crawl let alone walk.

osc89er · 8 Sep 2009 at 16:21

Talon said:
The sales guy who sold me a Civic reconned you don't need to run 'em in as did his college but I thought I would gather some other opinions before I go collect.

One thing to keep in mind about the average car dealer salesman is that a lot of them know nothing about the machines they sell.

TaKeN · 8 Sep 2009 at 16:28

I've always been under the impression that running in an engine makes or breaks its power output.

To run one in I'd treat it gently, but make it work every now and then, no stupid redlining the engine in every gear. Give it some work