Re: A4Q break-in first oil change, etc

[Greg Spark <sparkg@wave.co.nz>]

Date: Tue, 16 JUL 1996 23:47:25 +0000 (GMT)
From: Greg Spark <sparkg@wave.co.nz>
Subject: Oil in A4Q
To: Quattro Digest <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>

It may be of interest to note that my new A4 Turbo quattro was delivered with
Castrol TXT synthetic with no service required until 15000Kms (9300m) and
every 15000kms thereafter.

My dealer informed me these engines are bench run-in in the factory and filled
with synthetic from there. (But I take dealer info with a grain of salt as I
have found over the years they make things up at times to sound authoritative
knowing that most of their customers don't know any better!!)

Below is a reply from Mobil re Mobil 1 
<quote starts>

Reply:  The benefits of Mobil 1 are as follows:  
        
        Wear protection
        High Temperature Stability
        Cold Temperature Performance
        Deposit Protection
        
Mobil 1 can help to improve fuel economy by reducing friction in the 
engine, reduce exhaust emissions, and reduce oil consumption.

    You can start using Mobil 1 in new vehicles at any time.  In fact, 
Mobil 1 is the factory fill for the Corvette LT-1 and LT-5 engines.  
Mobil and Porsche just announced a new partnership that will also have 
all Porsche cars manufactured at Zuffenhausen plant will be lubricated 
with Mobil 1.  One of the myths that persists about Mobil 1 is that new 
engines require a break-in period with conventional oil.  Current 
engine manufacturing technology does not require this break-in period.  
As the decisions by the engineers who design the Corvette and Porsche 
engines indicate, Mobil 1 can be used in an engine from the day you 
drive the car off the show room floor.

If you have any additional questions, you may contact us at our E-mail 
address: lubes@ffx.mobil.com or by phone at 1-800-9 MOBIL 1.

<quote ends.>

I ran my A4Q gently for the first 1000kms and not so gently for the next
500kms and then have been happy (in fact VERY keen) to cane it since
then whenever possible. I changed filter and oil to Mobil 1 at 7000kms
at my expense. 

The car has now done 10500kms and appears to be using no oil and has
loosened up beautifully. Rev counter spins deliciously to 6500 and pulls
strongly and seamlessly from 2000rpm. (I have the MTM 187hp engine
upgrade).

My recommendations would be:
   1 - Take it easy for about 1000kms, varying engine speed and doing long
non-urban stretches.
   2 - after this period start to work the car and rapidly build up to hard
driving and lots of it in the first 10000kms.
   3 - change the oil AND filter about first 8-10000kms to synthetic, then
every 15000kms as recommended by Audi.
   4 - NEVER EXCEED 2500 rpm till engine fully warmed up
   5 - have a ball as that's what the car's designed for - YES!!

BTW I've easily outhandled Merc AMG E36(wet road), Toyota MR2 (dry road), 
Nissan 300ZX (dry road) so far and still hunting for BMW 328 and M3 (the 
latter preferably on a wet road!!)

-- 
Greg Spark                 96 A4 1.8Tq MTM 187hp
sparkg@wave.co.nz          Ming Blue heaven
Hamilton, New Zealand