Run in on empty

Regarding TH's problem with excessive oil consumption on his Audi A5 (13 August), I've had eight A4s and not had any problem with excessive oil consumption. I put this down to meticulously following your guidance on running in the engine to ensure the oil rings bed in.

My current car, VW Passat, has used half a litre of synthetic oil and is due for its first 10,000-mile service. I am fortunate, however, my commute to work is mainly motorway, so I can adjust engine revs more precisely to follow your running in guidance.

Asked on 15 August 2011 by PS, Preston, Lancs

Answered by Honest John
Very sensible. Thank you for confirming that I have not been giving the wrong advice. For a diesel engine this was: Leave factory fill of oil for the first year or 10,000 miles. For the first 1,000 miles do not exceed 3,000rpm, but make sure you reach 3,000rpm regularly. If running in on a motorway or autobahn, regularly vary the revs. So (in mph) cruise at 70 for 15 minutes, cruise at 80 for 15 minutes,  cruise at 75 for 15 minutes, cruise at 60 for 15 minutes, cruise at 90 for 15 minutes, etc. 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. 
Tags: running in
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