Re: Break-in Methods

[u3109@calv1.cray.com (Mike W. Young)]

> 
> I have a friend who just took delivery on a 1995 VW Jetta III GLX.  I've heard
> differing views on how cars (specifically German) "should" be broken-in.  One
> camp says that you baby it for 2,000 miles, while the other says you baby it
> for 1,000 miles and then drive it hard for the second thousand miles.  Any
> opinions/advise?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> -DMR.
> 

I had the good fortune to take delivery of a new German car(Audi 80)
while I worked at various German car factories, and design centers.
(Mercedes, BMW, Opel, VW, and Audi) and a friend worked for Porsche.

I asked the above question, and the common reply was to "Seat the motor
for the first 1000 KM (625 miles) and drive like you want to for the
remaining life of the motor". The most important thing I was told was 
to change the oil after the first 600 miles because the motor was tight 
and new, and there would be an initial amount of wear on rings, cylinder 
walls and the bearing surfaces. The oil would be floating this debris. 

Also replace the drain plug with a magnetic one if the standard one is 
non-magnetic. This will encourage any debris that settles to the bottom 
of the oil pan to stay there until the next oil change.

I am a firm 3K mile oil changer, with a new filter every other oil change.


Hope this helps,


Mike



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