Running In

[neilwaynesmith]

As I've said in another thread, I've just taken delivery of a Honda Accord 2.2 iCDTi.

So far, just about everyone has expressed surprise at my running the car in by keeping the revs and speed down.

Am I the only one who still does this?

[Tim Falce]

If you have bought it and it's your car then yes it could be a good idea. If it's a company car then no, I wouldn't bother.

[GORDON STREETER]

Put a sign in the back screen saying "running in please pass"

[djb]

you know Neil, I hear the same thing over here as well. Yes, there may be better clearances and all than in years past, but my gut still says that it just makes sense to be sensible with a new engine. Not too easy though, but keeping under med max revs, and not full throttle stuff (although, in the day, they used to recommend a little burst once in a while to put a proper load on things) Same with not doing a constant speed/rpm sort of thing for hours on end, seem to remember that the varying speeds, rpms, loads is better for it.

Oil changes too, don't get why new car dealers say, oh yeah, dont change it until 5 or 8k....

personally, I just think its because the people saying this don't give a rats ass, and then you get the company car/lease car attitude of not giving a crap either cuz you wont have the thiing that long.

What can I say, I'm an engine sympathizer (??) you know what I mean-don't have qualms of thrashing an engine, but not when its new.

[neilwaynesmith]

Yeah, it's a company car. That tends to make me more conscientious. After all, They're leasing 22k car for my benefit as much as theirs....

Driving to and from London today was fun, varying the speed etc!

djb, I agree entirely. Within 12 months, I can guarantee it will have been 'maxe' somewhere...

[thebullet]

No my dad still does it, normally untill 1000 Miles.

[redshoes]

I know it's not normally the done thing, but have you tried looking in the handbook. They may not refer to it as 'running in' but chances are there is advice to limit revs, speed and acceleration for the first thousand or so miles.

[Cryos]

No point really, the engines are normally run in at the factory; Most modern cars have adaptive ECU's (VW Has had adaptive ECU's since 97+).

Its adaptive to a certain point if you dont drive the car properly it will adapt all settings and mixtures towards low RPM and low engine speeds. This means if you all of a suddent start driving it hard it will become highly inefficient untill the car readjusts.

Anyone who has ever replaced an ECU in any of the VAG Group cars will know that for the first while the car is a lemon untill it starts doing adjustments. The whole point of running in cars in years gone by was to temper the engines to a normal set of conditions untill you were sure that the engine wasnt going to fall apart once you started properly driving it.

However Modern engines (Especially Diesels engines the TDi's HDI, CDTI's alike) are on constant adjustment.

The best life example is getting your fuel, we all know where to go to get the fuel that our cars run on the best, for example at the moment Esso Diesel seems to do wonders for my Jetta; The reason isnt because the diesel is bad its because the ECU has adjusted itself for the best all around performance for the car.

However when i initially got my jetta it was run on Shell Diesel and it ran super, but then i changed to Esso (just because esso is the most common where i work) it ran like a dog for 2 tanks (about 2000km); but after that it adapted and started running fine again.

If your engine fails within 6 months of purchase its due to a manufacturing fault (which is rare for an engine to fail in this period) and not due to your driving.

[djb]

Originally Posted by rxie

If your engine fails within 6 months of purchase its due to a manufacturing fault (which is rare for an engine to fail in this period) and not due to your driving.

can only talk for myself here, but catostraphic events like you mention are not he point here, its more about the long term effect on an engine. I am certain that moderate and careful breaking in of an engine, even a modern engine, will result in that engine having better clearances etc 10 years down the road, and therefore for the regular schmo like me, less maintenace fees etc down the road as you own a car either a very long time, or buy a used car. Goes the same with how you drive everyday-letting a car come to temps properly before putting load on (especially a factor here in Canada with -20, -30, -40c startups). Same with how you drive over potholes etc--come here to Montreal with yearly temps ranging from -40 to +40c and you'll see how hard it is to keep roads in good condition--all the stuff I've mentioned are factors of what shape a car is in over the long haul--yes, not a factor with a company lease car, or a young guy that doesn't give a hoot, but lets face it, for a lot of people with limited means for cars, house, etc etc having a car that stays in good shape over the long term is a real factor, and taking care of a car does have real benefits.

I'll now head over to the lawn bowling club....(just kidding)

[Cryos]

Originally Posted by djb

can only talk for myself here, but catostraphic events like you mention are not he point here, its more about the long term effect on an engine. I am certain that moderate and careful breaking in of an engine, even a modern engine, will result in that engine having better clearances etc 10 years down the road, and therefore for the regular schmo like me, less maintenace fees etc down the road as you own a car either a very long time, or buy a used car. Goes the same with how you drive everyday-letting a car come to temps properly before putting load on (especially a factor here in Canada with -20, -30, -40c startups). Same with how you drive over potholes etc--come here to Montreal with yearly temps ranging from -40 to +40c and you'll see how hard it is to keep roads in good condition--all the stuff I've mentioned are factors of what shape a car is in over the long haul--yes, not a factor with a company lease car, or a young guy that doesn't give a hoot, but lets face it, for a lot of people with limited means for cars, house, etc etc having a car that stays in good shape over the long term is a real factor, and taking care of a car does have real benefits.

I'll now head over to the lawn bowling club....(just kidding)

This is true, however as per what i said all of that is factored in with modern ecu's to prevent premature engine ware.

Untill the engine temperature gets to a sufficient power the ecu wont give you full power; Its like ECU's in racecars, my omex system in the nova does the exact same.

The other thing to point out is that modern engines are lasting longer that previous generations; In a theoretical situation an engine failure in a Escort at 160k dosnt mean that the later generation engine will fail around this time; Manufacturers regularally test their engines to detonation and know how to program the ECU to prevent engineware.

Just a thing to look out for, everytime i go for a service there is "Updates" applied to the ECU in my jetta; Just further tweaks for the Engine Milage. Again Stops engineware and helps adaptation.

[djb]

must admit, had no idea there were software updates for engine ecu's-fascinating. Even cameras nowadays have firmware updates that can even make a body focus better or handle a jpeg better at high asa's lets say--pretty neat stuff when you think about it...

until an EMP comes along that is....

cheers

[Cryos]

I know djb; its madness; Ipods my fijifilm camera even my usb headset have updates :S

I had a problem with the dash on my jetta (turning itself off mid drive) and was resolved with a software update.

Its more of a computer these days than a car

[terence]

Neil,you dont really think that the people involved with moving the car from the production line,transporters etc ever thought of running it in! Sure ,take it easy until it,s warm,just use it as if it,s not new,the more miles you put on it the better plus the fact that if it is fitted with the latest type of ECU,it will adjust to you,r driving anyway.

[neilwaynesmith]

Yeah, the thought occurred, but as it had 6 miles on the clock, There's not that much that could have been done to it!!!! Anyway, thank you all for your opinions, after tomorrow night, it'll be academic.

One thing I've noticed though, this 2.2 is a bit of a cracker!

Now if I could just figure out the HFT system.....

But that's another thread !!

Thanks again, all.