Running in a diesel

If it's a brand new car, just drive it.
If it's a rebiuld, don't flog it, but just drive it.

We have a brand new VW transporter with the new 5cyl turbo diesel, which VW have told us......just get in it and drive it like it's any old car, so we do!!!!!!

They don't even bother with the first service anymore. First oil change is at 15,000 and every 15,000 after that.

What I would do

Go to a large open aria/ or quite road and accelerate from 40kp/h to 70kp/h then allow it to slow back down to 40kp/h with the throttle closed, do this about 10 times it will load the piston rings and cause them to seat properly.

Drive gently for around the first 700k’s no (sustained high speed driving if possible).

After 1000k’s change the oil and filter

Now for the next 500k’s drive it normally but don’t abuse it or pamper it. After that just drive it as you would any other car, Change the oil and filter again at 5000k’s and it will all be sweet.

I just do what the maker says: drive with care and varying speeds for the first 500 km, no heavy brakes, watch temp. No towing for at least 1000 km, no off-road under load.

It would be prudent not to spend too much time around the city for the first 1000, I reckon or at least give it a country run of say 100Km each week.

When I was akid you used to see people running in cars at a steady 80 kph - don't do that.

I think one of these would be an excellent idea from startup.

link text

It would make sense that the first few hundred hours of operation would be the period when most of the 'smoothing out' takes place and reducing the contaminants in the oil would be be of most benefit.

The performance boat blokes seem to recommend them and they run multiple supercharged V8's running at max revs for extended periods of time.

I'm sure you could make one yourself with a just a heap of rare earth magnets stuck on the side of the filter. If I get another 6.5 I'll be fitting them.

Same as petrol really... Most important avoid giving it much work or revs till warmed up, ie: drive it straight away but gently.
Avoid lots of short trips.
Avoid excessive revs- especially when cold.
Avoid long periods of idle. Don't ever do like some ie:start from cold then idle for ages to warm up. Just wait 30secs or so for oil to circulate, then DRIVE.
Enjoy your good as new engine,
Cheers

Good points above, long trips with varying speed etc.

Worry though the first service not being until 15000.

Seen the small burrs and bits of metal that come out at the 1000 or 1500k service from things bedding in? A real eye opener.

Found with my diesel that with good oil, it didn't really fully bed in the rings until 70,000k, when it stopped using oil between changes. Was only just loosening up at 20,000k.
Only just starting to get some oil usage now at 260,000. About 300 to 500ml between oil changes. Not enough to worry about a top up.

When I picked it up on the Friday, I booked it in for the 1500k service on the Monday, and did 800k that night running up the highway and back varying speed.
Salesman gave me a funny look at that one! I asked to look at the filter and oil at the service. Had to be a dealer service because of the warranty.
After the 1500k service varied revs more and started putting more load on the engine.
But then I am a little fussy about my cars :-) Some say too much.

I'll assume the vehicle is new.
First option is to go by the manual.
If it says nothing, just drive it normally.

And don't change the oil at 1000k - they put in running-in oil thats meant to go the full distance.

Cheers
Phil

Mr Nissan told me (td6 motor) not to flog or tow for 500 k's. Do 50% of highway and town work for 500k's where possible. Under no circumstances change oil at 1000 k's. I was told if at all possible and safe to even push to 130-140 k's/hour for a short period of time. Member Browny now has the vehicle and I'm sure he has had no issues thus far. Not that he should.

Cheers

Chris.

I'm the old fashioned type who was always taught that the 1000k oil change was the most important in your car's life.

BUT...

I had a mate who bought a new Suzuki Grand Vitara. At the 1000k service, he asked that the oil and filter be replaced even though the book didn't mention an oil change.
The mechanic said "Sure, but it will void your warranty"!

Something to do with removing the "running-in oil" too early I believe.

Greg.
Bribie Island.

We are normally very carteful with a new motor for the first few km but recenlty we were in Europe and leased a Peugot 206 1.4l diesel, 16km on the clock when we picked it up. Now a lease car is the same as a rental or company car is it not?. Our run in, and in fact all our driving was to give it death on the motorways and autobahns where the speed limit (if there was one and if there was it is 130kph) was for guidance only and not adhered to by many people.

In Germany after 500km on the clock it was foot on the floor for hours at a time. Got 180kph out of it a few times, very impressed. We gave it back after 12,000km and the oil level on the dip stick had not moved from new and the first service was due at 30,000km, yes 30,000km. Average fuel consumption while we had the car was 5L/100km (nearly 60mpg).

Loved that car, wish they had the diesel 206 here.

Stevesub

do they run truck motors or drive them??