[sunjazz_99]

For all of us new owners out there, what's the most popular engine break-in procedure out there. My V6 is about to turn 500 miles. I'm planning on changing the oil at 1000 and am trying to avoid high revs (above 4k rpm) until then. I am anxiously awaiting a safe number of break-in miles before I hammer the throttle. I'm driving from Boston to Montreal next week and am eager to "get there faster". I'm sure there are many opinions on this one, curious to hear them.

 

[VAB52]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (sunjazz_99)

Read your owner's manual. Don't wing it. It will tell you NOT to change the oil at 1k miles, and how to break in the engine.
Most popular procedure is to follow manufacturer's recommendations found in the owner's manual.

 

[borgron]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (sunjazz_99)

There are many threads on this, but the manual has very useful instructions. And, as stated above DO NOT change the oil early.

 

[DCdave]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (borgron)

The reason most of us believe not to change the oil so soon is that we've heard that VW uses a "special" break-in oil for its new engines- something with detergent additives or whatever. I maintain my skepticism about this claim only because I haven't seen anything documented. Nonetheless, I always just advise to follow the manual. I'm at 4500 miles and will be going for the first oil change next month.
Todays' engines are manufactured to such great precision that metal shavings are considered to be a thing of the past by many people. (E.g., older engines' cylinder dimensions would vary a lot and therefore get shaved down quite a bit during break in; but todays' engines are computer-aided-designed and built so that the cylinders' dimensions don't vary hardly as much now.)


[Modified by DCdave, 12:41 PM 11-30-2001]

 

[DCdave]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (sunjazz_99)

One thing new V6 owners should be aware of is the oil consumption issue. Make sure to check your oil dipstick regularly while breaking-in the new car. I had to add a quart at 2500 miles.

 

[Stargazer]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (sunjazz_99)

quote:[HR][/HR]I am anxiously awaiting a safe number of break-in miles before I hammer the throttle.[HR][/HR]​

I remember that feeling--it was not fun

.
As mentioned about, the manual does state specifics. However, I believe this forum exists so that people can have discussions and I'm interested in this discussion

. Here's what I remember:
You have about another 500 miles to go before you are through the official "break-in" period. During this time, it's not recommended that you exceed "75% of top speed." To me, the manual is a bit ambiguous because I know (now) that the top speed of my Passat is governed at 210 km/h (130 mph). That's just slightly over 95 mph--pretty amazing for breaking-in a car!
I took it conservative and interpreted it instead as 75% of top engine speed in each gear. That was the guideline that I followed during the first 1000 miles. I actually took it really conservative and tried to keep the revs below 2000 rpm.
And the during the times I couldn't keep my foot from dropping, it eased my mind thinking that I was still operating within the 95 mph/4600rpm limits

.
If your taking the car on an extended trip, avoid using cruise control and/or cruising at the same speed all the time.
Oh, yeah--don't change your oil early--the oil from the factory is supposedly good for your car.

 

[sunjazz_99]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (Stargazer)

Thank for the advice! (Nice website btw Stargazer).

 

[E36BMW]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (sunjazz_99)

I have an 02 1.8T and I'm almost positive the owners manual *does state* that VW uses special break-in oil. And it also says the break-in period is 600 miles or 1000 km. (I guess the 1000 miles mentioned above pertains toe the V6.)


[Modified by E36BMW, 10:54 AM 11-30-2001]

 

[DCdave]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (E36BMW)

As long as we keep separate the ideas of:
1) First oil change
2) Break-in period when you limit demand on the engine
The manual still states to get the first oil change at 5k miles, right?.
btw: What I meant about *documentation* was details on what makes the break-in oil special. I'm not calling anyone a liar or a lemming, I'm just reminding people that documentation is sparse.

 

[Stargazer]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (E36BMW)

quote:[HR][/HR]it also says the break-in period is 600 miles or 1000 km.
[HR][/HR]​

That would be very interesting if the redesigned models have a shorter break-in period, because the B5 Classics definitely say 1000 miles or 1600 km.
(From another thread, the new Passats also have a higher drag co-efficient. What other changes are there?)
BTW, my dad's Concurd had a break-in period of only a few hundred miles, much shorter than the Passat.

 

[E36BMW]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (Stargazer)

"...600 miles or 1000 km"
yep...thats what the 02 manual says.

 

[Stargazer]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (E36BMW)

OK. Just re-checked my 1999 Owner's Manual and I guess it's not too far off from the newer ones (except their metric conversion is off).
The entire break-in period is 1000 miles but it's divided into two recommendations.
For the first 600 miles, they recommend the above things I mentioned. Then for 600-1000 miles, they say "speeds may be gradually increased to maximum permissible road or engine speed."
On top of the that, new tires have a 100 mile break-in period and new brake pads have 100-150 miles.

 

[E36BMW]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (Stargazer)

I stand corrected. Stargazer is correct.
"For the first 600 miles, they recommend the above things I mentioned. Then for 600-1000 miles, they say "speeds may be gradually increased to maximum permissible road or engine speed."
Its sxactly the same in the 02 manual.

 

[Cupholder]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (DCdave)

quote:[HR][/HR] Nonetheless, I always just advise to follow the manual.
[Modified by DCdave, 12:41 PM 11-30-2001][HR][/HR]​

The manual also says not to drive above the posted speed limits.

 

[DCdave]

Re: Engine Break-in Opinions (Cupholder)

Nonetheless, I always just advise to follow the manual.
> The manual also says not to drive above the posted speed limits.
lol

that's because a lawyer was looking over the shoulder of the technical writer