Running In?

[finnster]

I am hopefully picking up my Brand New V60 R Design Plus D4 in a couple of weeks (its arrived in the UK apparently)

Having never bought a new Diesel before I wondered if it required running in, I have googled it and its not entirely clear (to me)

I have bought a couple of new petrol's before and was told to take it steady for the first 500 miles - no Italian tune ups - but wondered if the same was true for Diesels, I don't generally hoon around anyway but would be good to know!

Thanks All

[Wizzpop]

I've always been gentle with a new engine, diesel or petrol. Some will tell you it isn't necessary these days due to much better machining. However a new engine is definitely tighter, so a bit of care doesn't go amiss. I started to open up in short bursts after 500 miles.

[m2srt]

May be ott but on top of driving the car quite gently, not too gently though, i do an oil change at about 1500 miles to get rid of any metal specks then you're good to go. Also, if it's your own car, look at adding something like Liqui Moly Ceratec or M0S2 after the first oil change. Happy motoring!

[CocoPops]

In my past half dozen or so new cars, I've always got the car warm (properly, not just water temps) and then driven them as hard as I can.

Never let me down yet. Avoids a lazy engine.

[nu11eaf]

Just keep it in auto and drive it normally and do not tow until the car has done 1000 miles, modern car do not need running in, I would not put any additives in the engine, these engines are designed to run on low viscosity quality oil. Just drive it and enjoy it.

[CJL]

Have a read of this.....

http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I wouldn't say go this extreme, But you really do want to put a load on the engine without laboring it. Try to vary the engine speed too.... don't drive 100 miles with the cruise at 60 etc.

[finnster]

Thanks all for the replies, its my first new diesel and by far the most I have ever spent on a car so just wanted to make sure I did whatever I could to keep it tip top!

[Dilinger]

Originally Posted by finnster

Thanks all for the replies, its my first new diesel and by far the most I have ever spent on a car so just wanted to make sure I did whatever I could to keep it tip top!

I would feel safer following the owner's manual, than some random guy's blog in the internet.

[m2srt]

Originally Posted by CJL

Have a read of this.....

http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I wouldn't say go this extreme, But you really do want to put a load on the engine without laboring it. Try to vary the engine speed too.... don't drive 100 miles with the cruise at 60 etc.

Living in hilly Yorkshire, I'm fortunate that it's practically impossible to drive here without putting some load on the engine. My X5 has never done more than 7000 miles without an oil change, averages 35mpg+ and will probably be kept until it falls apart. Regardless of what people say, correct run in is still important. Do it badly and I think that engine longevity will be affected, do it correctly and your car should see 300k+. It's all too easy to not bother if your car is on a 24 or 36 month lease but, if like me, you are committed to your car for much longer than that then I would highly recommend running in, oil change before 2000 miles and then something like liqui moly ceratec after the 1st annual service.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by Dilinger

I would feel safer following the owner's manual, than some random guy's blog in the internet.

The owner’s manual probably indicates to drive as normal after the engine has warmed up, varying the load and revs but avoiding very high revs and towing for the first few miles. Basically avoid driving at a steady speed on the motorway for the first few hundred miles.
Diesel engines do run in far better for better long term performance and longevity if run in on the harder side with a good sprinkling of up hill dashes. Very light load running during the early miles may result in a more sluggish engine that consumes oil.

No need to fret though, because modern materials, tolerances and production techniques, like plateau honing of the bores, gives a far more flexible running in procedure than historically and almost negates the need to bother altogether.

One mistake many people make is to change the factory oil too early. The is is unnecessary and can prevent satisfactory running in, glazing the bores and causing increased oil consumption, very like too light a load being applied to the engine.