Running in a new engine (VW Golf 3)

The cylinder walls, as well as the pistons with piston rings, have microscopic roughness on their surfaces in the initial state. After the initial run, these small irregularities are eliminated, and the parts fit well and tightly to each other. Too sharp an increase in the revolutions of a new or repaired engine can lead to minor damage (dents), which under certain conditions can cause irreversible damage to the pistons. It is necessary to keep in mind that in order to extend the service life of the engine, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of Volkswagen for running-in.

Due to this:

Do not give full throttle until the first 1000 km, press the gas pedal at a maximum of 3/4 of the stroke. In general, avoid high revs.

In the range of 1000-1500 km, gradually bring the engine to maximum speed or to the number of revolutions corresponding to maximum power. It is best to run in the engine on country roads. It is necessary to carefully engage gears, move with increasing speed and pay attention to the fact that not to drive at maximum speed or number of revolutions, over the next 500 km you can gradually increase the number of revolutions. After 500 km, you can smoothly increase the number of revolutions from time to time. An experienced "run-in" mainly uses the autobahn for this: moving "downhill" with a relatively high number of revolutions of the engine, at the same time not heavily loading the engine. The engine must, of course, be completely warmed up, and you also need to drive at least 25 km after a cold start.



The engine must travel about 3000 km before it can be considered run-in. If the running-in period is dominated by urban traffic rhythm, this distance should be even greater.

Note: What has been said here for a new engine applies even more so to a tuned engine, which reacts even more strongly to an incorrect running-in period.