Amazingly tonight I saw an elderly gentleman in an '04 reg Skoda Fabia with the cardboard sign in the rear window that I haven't seen for years.. 'running in please pass'
Apart from raising a wry smile, the question I ask is is this really neccesary anymore? do you really need to treat a brand new car with kid gloves anymore? Run the engine below 4000 rpm for first 1000 miles and no heavy braking for first 500 so you can bed in the brakes?
Now I drive plenty of new cars with less than 1000 miles on the clock and I treat them the same as any other. I make no provision whatsoever for it being new.
I seem to remember Ford years ago had a 1500 mile first service in order for oil changes to rid engine of swarf that may of occured during bedding in but that's disapeared a long time ago.
So my question again.. is running in neccesary or is it a waste of time?
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Have a look at HJ's FAQs nos 10, 13, 15
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If my memory serves me right, I seem to remember the Fabia manual tells you not to thrash it for the first 1000km, but the sort of revs that it warns you against aren't what most people would do in everyday driving anyway. Other than that, I think the only special precaution needed is to check the oil as it's normal to use more than usual when new. I found this to be the case but a colleague who has had the same engined model from new has never had cause to top his up.
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Score 20 points for spotting that one. Another gem I haven't seen for years is the witticism "Running out, please push".
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Have a look at HJ's FAQs nos 10, 13, 15
yes read them but just asking is it really neccesary anymore.
The interesting thing about this Fabia is that it was an '04 reg. Maybe new to him but not a brand new car. I suppose it could have had a new engine but unlikely I'd say.
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My mate ran his Skoda Fabia in using <3000rpm for the first 1000 miles. Luckily 3000rpm in 6th is 90mpg, so there weren't many opportunitys to be passed.
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Most motorcycles still have running in instructions - it varies by make from a 6,000 or 8,000 rpm limit to 'no harsh acceleration'.
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I always thought that the principle purpose for displaying these signs was to advertise the fact that you'd got a new car. Perhaps, now that a car's age is not so obvious from its reg plate, these signs might make a comeback.
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IMHO, it is *adviseable* to run a new engine in.
Whilst not as important as a few years ago, due to improved manufacturing techniques, it is still a wise idea. There will still be a certain degree of "bedding in" needed by the rings, valves and bearings.
What would you rather do? Run the risk of premature engine failure and a huge repair bill or simply drive slowly for the first month?
I know what I'd do...The choice is yours..
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What would you rather do? Run the risk of premature engine failure and a huge repair bill or simply drive slowly for the first month? I know what I'd do...The choice is yours..
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I seem to recall that nothing has the performance of a hire car but they survive.
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But when the start to get older how badly worn are they?
The only reason they *appear* reliable is because you only get to drive them for a couple of days, a week tops.
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I think the old sign dates from a time when the running in instructions were more severe. Today's new cars can be driven normally without breaking the guidleines, albeit with some restraint required.
The 911's instructions were to keep within 4,000 rpm until 1000 miles - 4,000 in 6th gear is 104 mph [or so I'm told :o) ] so there wasn't a great need for people to pass.
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A drinking colleague of mine who belongs to the "buy new, sell after 2.5 years" school of thought isn't at all bothered about running his cars in gently. I feel sorry for whoever picks them up second hand.
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The last time I took any specific notice of running in instructions was when I took delivery of a Peugeot 309 (1300cc) in 1987. It said not to exceed 70 mph in 5th gear, during the running in period (I forget what that was). Hardly a hardship anyhow. As that was nearly 20 years ago, I don't think I would find easing in a new engine much of a restriction.
It is a bit different from the old days of the BL 'A' series engine, when the limitation was 45 mph in top gear, if my memory serves me well.
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An old guy who lives in the next road to us also has a homemade 'running in please pass' sign in the back of his car - a 1989 Metro! He just drives very slowly...
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::shakes head::
Oh dear. Still, if he feels he's legitimising his snail-like lack of progress whilst holding up the rest of the world.....
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