Running in

[queuecar]

If Audi finally decide to deliver my car this month, I am dreading having to control myself for a running in period after 6 months anticipation!

Am hearing conflicting advice on the running in. Apparently the manual says <6,000rpm for 1,500 miles. However, when I asked the service department at my dealer whether it needed running in, they laughed and said we're not in the 1970s!!

What has everyone else been advised? Does the warranty explicitly state correct running in? Were the track-day cars that were doing the rounds run in beforehand? etc.

Thanks.

[Simon_M]

I doubt any single demo car has been run in. With modern manufacturing processes, and the fact that the cars are tested on the road prior to delivery, it is not really necessary, especially with a 3 year warranty.

However, most people parting with 50K with treat the thing gently for the first thousand or so.

I know someone who tracked their Porsche the very day after collecting it.

[SimonS4MTM]

Please have some consideration for us mere mortals that cannot afford to buy an RS4 new and could end up purchasing a real pig of a car in a few years time.

[Nickm]

I think that it is best to follow Audi's instructions in the car's manual - as referred to in other posts here on the forum, Audi are logging both what you do for run in and also rpms above 7000 before up to temp - there is a display waring not to exceed 7K until oil is up to temp - after it is the warning goes. I guess that if you abuse the car and there is a problem Audi will use this info against you - so my advice is to follow the guidelines.

[jonp]

Run it in like the manual says, and preferably get an oil change before 5k miles. That way your car will look after your wallet

Jon P

[queuecar]

Thanks gents - think I will take reasonable care (especially from cold) but not be too scared of enjoying of it every now and again...

[flossymeister]

i like the comment about "not living in the 1970s" ..... we are still using internal combustion engines though, so unfortunately the same theory still aplies just as much as it did in 1970.... indeed as it did in 1900. Kind of sums up most car salesman's attitude/knowledge in a nutsehell, though. If you don't thrash it for the first 1500-2000 miles, you will enjoy the rest of your ownership MUCH, MUCH more . It really can make all the difference, not just for future owners (who i'm sure you couldn't give two hoots about!!), but for you as well.

HTH

Tim

[DuncanMac]

Not sure of relevance but my S4 which was an ex demo from a dealer up north has had so many problems it is unbeleivable - all engine related! Technicians reckon it was thrashed from day one and hence why I have trouble

So when my Rs4 comes in 2 months - run it in nicely And if it breaks then its going back!

[Riz_RS4]

I`m also going to run my car in properly... did this with my Golf R32 and im glad I did...

Riz

[littleblue]

one of the main reasons for the instruction book to say; this needs running in, is to let the driver get used to the car, before using full power.... its the same with motorbikes, where the manufacturers say to take it steady for the firt 500 miles, then a bit higher for the next 500, then you can use full throttle.

its to stop numpties getting in their car or on their bike, nailing it and crashing, then complaining to the manufacturer to say they were not warned it was so quick or powerfull etc..... so if they crash during the running in period, the manufacturer can say; well you were exceeding the running in speed, so we will not entertain any claim for you being an idiot and driving it too fast and crashing.

what i do with new motorbikes is make sure the engine is warmed though first, then use full rev range a few times, find a hill and let the bike roll down using engine braking a few times, then repeat. I then change the oil and filter. (its done about 50-75 miles at this point)

then i drive/ride the bike as normal from then on. generally speaking, the bike that has been nailed from the off, will make MORE power on a dyno, than the bike that has been properly run in.

if you were meant to run it in, and it was THAT important, they would put a rev limit on the car for the first few thousand miles or whatever.....

besides, before the car or bike leaves the factory, some tester gets in it and revs the socks off it, to make sure the thing works and doesnt go bang.....

just my 2 cents worth.

ultimatly, you will make up your own decidion and do what you want to do....

[harry]

interesting points little blue, would be interested in a lil clarification as to why bikes nailed from the get-go reg more power on the dyno....

[Nickm]

Agreed - whenever I Dynoed a car there was certainly more power after careful run-in. My B5 made 390ish unmodified and that was really carefully treated from new.

[fishface]

I wouldn't thrash a car until its warmed up even after the running in period. My current car is a 4 year old C32AMG that gets the same treatment. Saying that when my RS4 arrives I will thrash it after about 500 miles of gentle driving, after the oil is warmed of course.