Running In The Beast

[Murphy The Cat]

Call me Old Fashioned or Old School but I still persist in running in a new car.

I have followed this running in schedule to the letter

"For the first 1,000 miles do not exceed 3,000rpm, but make sure you reach 3,000rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 2,000 miles) do not exceed 3,500rpm, but make sure you reach 3,500rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 3,000 miles) do not exceed 4,000rpm, but make sure you reach 4,000rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 4,000 miles) do not exceed 4,500rpm, but make sure you reach 4,500rpm at least a couple of times a week. After that, no limit, but make sure you continue to hit 4,500rpm through the gears several times a week. The benefit of this is it helps to self clean the injectors, it blows any accumulated soot out of the exhaust system and it helps to free off the piston rings, making the engine more efficient and less likely to use engine oil. "

and have found that at each mileage "milestone" when I can step it up a bit a real feeling of satisfaction that I have kept my right foot in control when I wanted to boot it and see what he would do.

Arnie now has over 2600 miles on him, which qualifies him for 4000 rpm. Hitting the right pedal and keeping it there while he accleerates is very, very nice indeed. This is a 2 ton diesel car that goes like stink - and as time goes on is getting faster & smoother & faster & smoother.

Has anyone else gone the runninmg route ? or am I treading it alone ?

From what I have read "running in" of a petrol engine is now nearly a thing of the past, but for a diesel ............ what do you think .

MTC

[Just]

MTC

I think this is an excellent course of action, I will certainly be doing the same with mine.

I know that I intend to keep mine for a long time if at all possible, and it can only be right to let the engine run in properly.

"Honest John" always recommends this to prevent excessive oil consumption in modern engines. He also seems to say regularly that oil change intervals recommended these days are too infrequent, as oil (even synthetic) tends to degrade after 8-9,000 miles. The recommendation appears to be, stick with the original oil up until the first service, to let the engine bed in, then after this, increasing the frequency of the oil change can only be beneficial.

Taking this into account, I intend to get to 12,500 miles (I think that's the UK service interval for these), then change it again, either myself or at the dealer, at about 18,000 miles, then back to the dealer for the official 25,000 service.

What does everyone else think of this?

Being an all alloy engine, pretty rare up until now in diesels, I'm not sure how this affects the overall longevity prospects?

Well done on keeping your right foot light in the past few weeks, I know that the diesel demonstrator I road tested yesterday only had about 140 miles on the clock, but I'm sure I ended up going over 3,000 even on a relatively short run. The sales guy actually encouraged me by using the "+/-" manual change feature at one point. & we took off pretty damned quickly.

I must say though, we were stuck behind someone on an A road at about 50 mph, and this speed car is so quiet, smooth & relaxed, it is incredible.

Even at 70, you are only pulling exactly 2,000 rpm, and the box seems to settle into 5th pretty quick if your driving sensibly.

Just my two penneth worth!

Cheers

Just

[Geordie]

Originally Posted by Murphy The Cat

Call me Old Fashioned or Old School but I still persist in running in a new car.

I have followed this running in schedule to the letter

"For the first 1,000 miles do not exceed 3,000rpm, but make sure you reach 3,000rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 2,000 miles) do not exceed 3,500rpm, but make sure you reach 3,500rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 3,000 miles) do not exceed 4,000rpm, but make sure you reach 4,000rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 4,000 miles) do not exceed 4,500rpm, but make sure you reach 4,500rpm at least a couple of times a week. After that, no limit, but make sure you continue to hit 4,500rpm through the gears several times a week. The benefit of this is it helps to self clean the injectors, it blows any accumulated soot out of the exhaust system and it helps to free off the piston rings, making the engine more efficient and less likely to use engine oil. "

and have found that at each mileage "milestone" when I can step it up a bit a real feeling of satisfaction that I have kept my right foot in control when I wanted to boot it and see what he would do.

Arnie now has over 2600 miles on him, which qualifies him for 4000 rpm. Hitting the right pedal and keeping it there while he accleerates is very, very nice indeed. This is a 2 ton diesel car that goes like stink - and as time goes on is getting faster & smoother & faster & smoother.

Has anyone else gone the runninmg route ? or am I treading it alone ?

From what I have read "running in" of a petrol engine is now nearly a thing of the past, but for a diesel ............ what do you think .

MTC

Hey there MTC...


I have been driving cars and riding motorcycles for 46 years and have been fortunate enough to have acquired new vehicles for the past 30 years.

Like yourself, I subscribe to the tried and tested 'old school' of running in a new engine. In fact I recall the rear window stickers you could get which advertised that fact i.e. 'RUNNING IN - PLEASE PASS'. (Showing my age now!)

In all of those years running in engines of various manufacturers, I have never had any engine problems or excessive oil consumption and I put that down to the stringent running - in procedure which I have rigidly adhered to and which I will continue to do with my CRD albeit manufacturers might not give such pedantic advice. Proof of the pudding...so to speak.

[Murphy The Cat]

Originally Posted by Just

MTC

I think this is an excellent course of action, I will certainly be doing the same with mine.

I know that I intend to keep mine for a long time if at all possible, and it can only be right to let the engine run in properly.

"Honest John" always recommends this to prevent excessive oil consumption in modern engines. He also seems to say regularly that oil change intervals recommended these days are too infrequent, as oil (even synthetic) tends to degrade after 8-9,000 miles. The recommendation appears to be, stick with the original oil up until the first service, to let the engine bed in, then after this, increasing the frequency of the oil change can only be beneficial.

Taking this into account, I intend to get to 12,500 miles (I think that's the UK service interval for these), then change it again, either myself or at the dealer, at about 18,000 miles, then back to the dealer for the official 25,000 service.

What does everyone else think of this?

Being an all alloy engine, pretty rare up until now in diesels, I'm not sure how this affects the overall longevity prospects?

Well done on keeping your right foot light in the past few weeks, I know that the diesel demonstrator I road tested yesterday only had about 140 miles on the clock, but I'm sure I ended up going over 3,000 even on a relatively short run. The sales guy actually encouraged me by using the "+/-" manual change feature at one point. & we took off pretty damned quickly.

I must say though, we were stuck behind someone on an A road at about 50 mph, and this speed car is so quiet, smooth & relaxed, it is incredible.

Even at 70, you are only pulling exactly 2,000 rpm, and the box seems to settle into 5th pretty quick if your driving sensibly.

Just my two penneth worth!

Cheers

Just

Hi Just

you just hit the nail on the head. The car is so damn smooth & quiet if i did not actively watch my RPM I know that I would be flying !

heres a bit of info that may influence your oil changing plans. I bought a 4Lt of 0w-40 synthestic oil to keep Arnie topped up (used 1 lt in 2600 miles so far), it cost me £33.58 and if you were to do an oil change its going to take 9.5 lt of oil costing you about £64.00 plus filter - ouch.

On a happir note my BiL took Arnie for a spin this weekend (after me telling him about the 4000 rpm bit) and he loved every minute of it. One moment we were doing 40 mph the next we were doing 80 mph, in silence, with no effort, with no fuss. I was expecting it, to him it was a revelation - he had just got rid of his 320i petrol BMW and replaced it with a 520dse, the 300c blows the other cars away for performance - his words not mine !

MTC

p.s. my vans at work are on 24000 mile service intervals !!

[Murphy The Cat]

Originally Posted by Geordie

Hey there MTC...


I have been driving cars and riding motorcycles for 46 years and have been fortunate enough to have acquired new vehicles for the past 30 years.

Like yourself, I subscribe to the tried and tested 'old school' of running in a new engine. In fact I recall the rear window stickers you could get which advertised that fact i.e. 'RUNNING IN - PLEASE PASS'. (Showing my age now!)

In all of those years running in engines of various manufacturers, I have never had any engine problems or excessive oil consumption and I put that down to the stringent running - in procedure which I have rigidly adhered to and which I will continue to do with my CRD albeit manufacturers might not give such pedantic advice. Proof of the pudding...so to speak.

Hi Geordie

Well thats 3 out of 3 so far for running in.

I thought that mabye I was going to be in the minority, but it looks like mabye not.

How long will it be before your motor comes ? Will it be March or April, I bet you can hardly wait.

MTC

[charlie D]

Murph,

Take it from one of the old -time gear heads from the past __ you are not alone -- But you are more than tame. From '65 through "76 ,I've "broken in 7 new high performance cars From '65 GTO ( 389)-"67 GTO 428 wedge head w/ dual carter AFB's on top of Offie high --rise manifold;paired up with ISKY 505 roller cam with solid lifters mated to a quick caange rear end;factory blueprinted & balanced;plus more mods; Then '68 396 stock but with Paxton Puffer: on to '69 442 ( bone stock but with full bench seats & air) my Florida car; Then to 455 HO Factory loaded ( Classic Hemi under glass): Laast high performance of the Era was "76 Grand Torino black on black with opera roof,351 Cleveland with dual Holly's +++++++.With every onr of them I broke them in wehat is considered to be " HARD".First 1,000 all open road working up & down the ladder ( WOT @ appox.70 % of the time).Next 2500 miles full runs of 1/4's & eights ( to ensure rings seated properly).In all cases I never experienced any problems only delight in the overall performance.Never had any oil consumption issues or failures of any type.With my current ride I haven't deviated much from the tried & true " break-in" procedures of the past.This Car just keeps getting stronger & stronger"BUT" with all the advanced computer programs, it has to be taken a bit slower than "back in the day";But still -------- It's working for me & making me one happy camper.

[Murphy The Cat]

Originally Posted by charlie D

Murph,

Take it from one of the old -time gear heads from the past __ you are not alone -- But you are more than tame. From '65 through "76 ,I've "broken in 7 new high performance cars From '65 GTO ( 389)-"67 GTO 428 wedge head w/ dual carter AFB's on top of Offie high --rise manifold;paired up with ISKY 505 roller cam with solid lifters mated to a quick caange rear end;factory blueprinted & balanced;plus more mods; Then '68 396 stock but with Paxton Puffer: on to '69 442 ( bone stock but with full bench seats & air) my Florida car; Then to 455 HO Factory loaded ( Classic Hemi under glass): Laast high performance of the Era was "76 Grand Torino black on black with opera roof,351 Cleveland with dual Holly's +++++++.With every onr of them I broke them in wehat is considered to be " HARD".First 1,000 all open road working up & down the ladder ( WOT @ appox.70 % of the time).Next 2500 miles full runs of 1/4's & eights ( to ensure rings seated properly).In all cases I never experienced any problems only delight in the overall performance.Never had any oil consumption issues or failures of any type.With my current ride I haven't deviated much from the tried & true " break-in" procedures of the past.This Car just keeps getting stronger & stronger"BUT" with all the advanced computer programs, it has to be taken a bit slower than "back in the day";But still -------- It's working for me & making me one happy camper.

Bloody Hell Charlie D

To say that I am more than tame is one thing, but to then describe your running in method I would have todescribe you as Rambo-esque !!!
But the main thing is that for you it has worked.

When I was about to post this thread I looked about for "best advice" that Knowledgeable people were offering. Nobody, not even one person came up with anything remotely close to your techniques - which I think is a real shame because your methods have for over 40 years done a fine job.

I, however, would not have the balls to do it though.

One of the most respected motoring websites came up with this gem about the effects of not looking after a car whilst it was still new
"If the engine comes factory-filled with special, very expensive recommended oil, be aware that if the engine is not run-in properly it could use oil at the rate of 1 litre per 650 miles (@£12.49 $21.85 per lt for synthetic oil), so it changes its own oil four to five times in 20,000 miles at a cost to the owner of around £387 ($677). It seems that to allow for these long oil change intervals manufacturers raised the level of contamination and degradation acceptable in the oil."

As I said in my original post, running in for petrol cars seems to be nearly over (or in your case, it is as structured as ever), but for Arnie I'm going to carry on taking it easy for a bit longer.

MTC

p.s. 2800 rpm = 100 mph, so I can still make "ahem" steady progress while keeping the revs under 4000

[charlie D]

By seating the rings early ,at the optimum area that you will be running the car,will ensure that you will in no way compromise the oil consumption.In effect, the opposite will come to bear.BUT --- by no means drive it like you stole it from the get --go.Remember I stated " run it up the ladder". The principle is very sound.By that I mean one has to devote a little time taking the car " up & down the scale" for about 3 hour hits at a time.If you were to stay away from WOT for 4,000 miles , then started hammering it ---well I for one wouldn't want to be in that position.It's not so much as being "ballsy"but more like being wise & prudent with respect to what expects out of his/her machine.By utilizing the "open road method "of breaking in,I have never been sorry for it,nor has anyone else that I've been affiliated with for the above forementioned years.Just remember,keep it pure & simple and it will give you a good pay back.If you abuse it,you will lose it.

[Murphy The Cat]

Originally Posted by charlie D

By seating the rings early ,at the optimum area that you will be running the car,will ensure that you will in no way compromise the oil consumption.In effect, the opposite will come to bear.BUT --- by no means drive it like you stole it from the get --go.Remember I stated " run it up the ladder". The principle is very sound.By that I mean one has to devote a little time taking the car " up & down the scale" for about 3 hour hits at a time.If you were to stay away from WOT for 4,000 miles , then started hammering it ---well I for one wouldn't want to be in that position.It's not so much as being "ballsy"but more like being wise & prudent with respect to what expects out of his/her machine.By utilizing the "open road method "of breaking in,I have never been sorry for it,nor has anyone else that I've been affiliated with for the above forementioned years.Just remember,keep it pure & simple and it will give you a good pay back.If you abuse it,you will lose it.

Hi Charlie D

like I said earlier, its obviously worked really well for you for over of over 40 years. Another thing that would make things a touch harder in the UK is the size of our country and the congestion on the roads (& the bloody speed cameras which blight our landscape). Travelling on your interstates I was stunned as to how quiet they were compared to our motorways. (Indiana, TN, KY, VA, PN, IL, Maryland etc) - in the Uk we just don't seem to get the chance to drive it hard for an extended period.

In the Land of the Free do other people run their cars in, or is it something that has largely disappeared ?

MTC

[mathijskok]

Originally Posted by Murphy The Cat

Hi Charlie D

like I said earlier, its obviously worked really well for you for over of over 40 years. Another thing that would make things a touch harder in the UK is the size of our country and the congestion on the roads (& the bloody speed cameras which blight our landscape). Travelling on your interstates I was stunned as to how quiet they were compared to our motorways. (Indiana, TN, KY, VA, PN, IL, Maryland etc) - in the Uk we just don't seem to get the chance to drive it hard for an extended period.

In the Land of the Free do other people run their cars in, or is it something that has largely disappeared ?

MTC

Running in a car... there is a topic that can stretch.

No matter what everybody writes, if running in should be done so carefully, why don't the car makers tell you to do so? As far as I know the 300 diesel only had a single line in the manual telling you to go easy the first 1000 km.
Mercedes knows that engine a lot better then I do and they tell me that it really doesn't matter a lot anymore.

If it still matters, why is Mercedes not telling us the thruth? What would they gain by telling us it does not matter anymore? It would only give them a bad rep, cause a lot of increased support under guarantee etc?