How to break in a new Volkswagen engine. (From the owners manual)

[jaylind]

Ok since this has come up so many times. I decided to copy the manual word for word and post it.

The following is from the Owners Manual book 3.2 Tip and Advice, page 11.

Driving and protecting the environment

Break-in Period

Breaking in a new engine

The engine need to be carefully broken in during the first 1000 miles (1500km)

For the first 600 miles (1000km)

-- Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the top speed shown on the speedometer.

-- Do not use full throttle.

-- Avoid high engine speeds.

-- Do not tow a trailer.

From 600 to 1000 miles (1000 to 1500km)

-- Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum vehicle speed or maximum permissible engine speed (rpm).

During the first few hours driving, the engine's internal friction is higher than it will be later when all the moving parts have been broken in.

For the sake of the environment
If the engine is broken in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil consumption reduced.

This was take from the 2007 VW Rabbit owners manual. If you have more questions refer to your owners manual or if it's not stated above post a question.

Thanks
JAy

[funbox90]

I just got my bunny, and I have never owned a new car nor a manual before. When I get out sometimes I notice a slight burning smell. It's not something I worry about (it isn't that bad), but I wanted to know if it is from the manual transmission or because the car is new.

[tibimakai]

because it's new

[xbr80bx]

thanks for throwing this up in a post. i can now refer people to this post and the manual reference.

[Frostt]

I just got a brand new '08 Rabbit, my first brand new car. I womped on the gas just to see how much power the car has. I Havent done that any more. So I should stick to just doing the speed limit, and gradually hit the gas pedal? I figured the engine needed breaking in but I didn't really know how to do it.

[JuJi]

I just got my 2008 Rabbit yesterday. The guy at the dealer says there's no need to break the engine in as VW ships the rabbits out already "Pre-Broken In".

Can anyone verify/falsify this statement?

[neilr]

I just got my 2008 Rabbit yesterday. The guy at the dealer says there's no need to break the engine in as VW ships the rabbits out already "Pre-Broken In".

Can anyone verify/falsify this statement?

I can't verify the dealer's statement either way, but it seems like an odd thing to say given that the manual has a section specifically addressing how to break in the engine.

[kingwest]

I was told the same thing about the engine being pre-broken in. He did, however, also tell me not to go nuts in the first little while.

[rabb08]

i heard the same thing by my dealer that rabbits are pre boken it or somthing like that was he was saying i i still would take it easy for the first 1000 miles

[gmo]

I just picked mine up 3 days ago and i have gotten mixed stories on how i should properly break in the engine. The manual does say there is a break in, but the dealership that i bought it from says i can drive that car the way I want to right out of the box. What was everyones break in like ??

[DUSlider]

I just picked mine up 3 days ago and i have gotten mixed stories on how i should properly break in the engine. The manual does say there is a break in, but the dealership that i bought it from says i can drive that car the way I want to right out of the box. What was everyones break in like ??

I picked up my Rabbit yesterday. My salesman went over the break in period with me and stated it was important to follow the directions in the owner manual which pretty much states what the first post in this thread does.

Personally, I don't see why you would want to risk it...

[redrum]

vw high speed tests their drivetrains before they leave the factory. they drain the fluids and replace. they put a teflon based additive into the engine oil which over normal driving will help break the engine in.

i'd recommend to vary the speed (go 65,67,60 etc. if you are doing highway driving) don't just get it steady and keep it there for the first 500-1000 miles or so. DON'T use the cruise controll for the first 1k miles. Don't redline the car, but don't baby it either. give it some gas up some big hills give its some pull but keep it under about 3/4 of full potential.

even though everything is "pre-broken in", everything is still factory tight and seals, etc. have to seat properly to prevent damage down the road.

you won't see gas milage anywhere close to what is on the sticker till you hit about 4-5,000 miles.

[JDub]

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[nitroscope8]

Redrum, can you backup what you posted? What's your source? Thanks...

[Rumynchik]

you won't see gas milage anywhere close to what is on the sticker till you hit about 4-5,000 miles.

Um...people are getting over what's on the sticker before 4-5K miles, and people are getting under what's on the sticker after 4-5K miles.

So it's all bs.

[jaylind]

Redrum, can you backup what you posted? What's your source? Thanks...

wikipedia

[snottyrabbit]

Wikipedia is the best source of information on the web. *Cough* *Ahem* *Scoff*

[JuJi]

I think most people will agree that you shouldn't go nuts with the car as soon as you get it (regardless of the pre-break in)

However, I personally am having trouble breaking this car in ...

The problem is, my feet aren't listening to my mind, they're listening to my heart which tells them GO GO GO!

Anyone else experiencing this?


-----
"I feel the need... the need for speed"

[DUSlider]

I think most people will agree that you shouldn't go nuts with the car as soon as you get it (regardless of the pre-break in)

However, I personally am having trouble breaking this car in ...

The problem is, my feet aren't listening to my mind, they're listening to my heart which tells them GO GO GO!

Anyone else experiencing this?


-----
"I feel the need... the need for speed"

I hear you there, I'm trying to keep it under 3500 rpm...

[BlackBunny08]

I broke mine in differently...For the first week I would turn on the car everyday for about 30-45 minutes and just let it run...I didnt drive it except from the dealership to home (5K) and around the block a couple times...Im at 640 miles now, but I've put alot more hours into the engine than what the miles say, I warm it up every morning from 4-5 minutes and 2-3 minutes throughout the day. My manual had nothing about breaking it in, but mines is an auto so I dont know.