Engine run in/braking in

[KSA_RS4]

Hi all,

i know that this topic must have been talked about/debated a million times, but really whats the best way to run in a (B8) RS4?

i would really appreciate all your comments.

BTW i am expecting my RS4 week 25 after a long long long long wait , order placed week 2.

[Brooner]

The engine is run in on the bench so as long as you get the engine warmed up its game on
warm up and cool down thats what i have down will all my RS4s and never had any issues

[KSA_RS4]

then you brooner for the quick response.

1. did you kick down as well from day 1 or did wait for a while?
2. did you rev the car all the way to the limiter from day 1?

thanks

[Graeme4130]

As brooner says, the engine's are all run in on a bench/dyno, so gone are the days of running them in on the road
Tolerences are far better than the good old days of engine building, so running in process isn't as critical as back in the early days of performance cars
However, the manual does offer some guidelines for rev limits over the first 1000 miles

FWIW, I've just had Audi's demo RS4 with 200miles on the clock as a loaner on the back end of ordering my own, and they suggested I just 'nail their car' no probe as it was a waste of time

[adsgreen]

Rule of thumb with engines is that if its been filled with mineral oil and has a scheduled service around 1000 miles then you have to be very ridged running in.

If filled with synthetic oil and no specific service then less need.

That being said, I personally still take it a bit in hand with a new engine.
Most of it is common sense and good practice for even older engines.
Simply put, don't be hard in terms of revs or load/throttle position until the oil is up to temp.

However it's also worth saying you are not only running in the engine - there's the entire drivetrain. For this simply try to use all the gears evenly and probably not best to give it too harder time in the first few hundred miles.

[535dboy]

I built it up as per the manual to be honest

[Nickyboy]

I built it up as per the manual to be honest

Wimp.

[Brooner]

As most have said here I only give it beans when the oil is at temp
And I was given the same info about the demo just go have fun but I also have a bit of mechanical sympathy so the car is in D until the engine is warm
But if you are at all concerned stick to the manual and ease the engine in over the 1000 miles

[535dboy]

I built it up as per the manual to be honest

Wimp.

It gets used properly now don't you worry

I kind of think there is a reason for them to state it

I'm sure Ads will say I was spun a line by my dealer but the lotus dealer said that any revs beyond running in limits are logged and checked after running in service and if breached then warranty void

[adsgreen]

Nope - not a line. Talked over a story with the factory ages back and they had a warranty claim from an esprit in the US for a new engine. Turns out the owner switched it on and then red lines it from stone cold every time.
Refused the engine and surprisingly (given the US consumer laws) won the court action.

Can't take what a dealer says about a demo car- it'll be long gone off their forecourt by the time any issues arise.

It's trickier now days as with multi cam profile engines you need to wear in the power cam too. This can only be done at high revs so you need to venture up the rpm range. Throttle position is the main thing - high rpm at low throttle is fine... Full throttle puts more wear on things.

[Nickyboy]

Ads, can I ask what your technical background is?

[KSA_RS4]

thank you all for the insight. much appreciated

[adsgreen]

Ads, can I ask what your technical background is?

"enthusiastic amateur"
Dad is a Automotive Engineer (some interesting projects there) so have been surrounded by internal combustion engines since... whoa... forever.
Before I could have a car to drive I had to be able to strip it down and put it back together - was no problem as could do that before secondary school.
After that just for various reasons seemed to have had access and involved with lots of engines and cars either mine or project based stuff.

[RJrs4]

Had M cars before the RS4 and always had running in service at 1200miles after which off you go (without the service warranty was affected and resale shot)
Doing the same with the RS4 (minus the service)

[Nickyboy]

Rich, how do your last three/four cars compare?