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[Varche]

When I was at school it was still common practice to run a new car in.

“In the days when new cars had to be ‘run in', stickers were common.
To also follow the manufacturers instructions not to exceed 15 mph in the first gear, 25 mph in the second gear and 35 mph in top gear. After 500 miles on the clock you were advised to gradually increase your speed for short periods until reaching 1000 miles.”

When did it stop being a requirement?

I remember vividly , visiting the Opel factory and watching brand new cars being “ tested and driven off the production line”. This basically involved the cars being revved up, rolling road then brakes being sharply applied which catapulted the car forward. Engine screaming and second gear selected before actually leaving the premises in a cloud of ture smoke.

[JasonH]

Improvements in manufacturing tolerances that come with automation means it's not that critical. In the old days everything needed to be gently worn in. These days it's mostly the cylinder bores and even those don't need a lot.

In my research, and experience, very gently run in cars do not get good cylinder sealing, have lower power, and consume oil. Those driven fairly aggressively (but not flat out) in the first 100 miles have superb characteristics and never consume oil. You need pressure on the piston rings whilst the cylinder bore honing has some abrasive properties.

I've run two vehicles in very gently, in accordance with the handbook, both used oil between services. I've driven one fairly hard in the first 100 miles and it uses absolutely no oil between services. I also observed the company cars that were thrashed from day one that seemed faster, didn't use oil, and went on to do huge mileages without any engine problems.

[YZ250]

Improvements in manufacturing tolerances that come with automation means it's not that critical. In the old days everything needed to be gently worn in. These days it's mostly the cylinder bores and even those don't need a lot.

In my research, and experience, very gently run in cars do not get good cylinder sealing, have lower power, and consume oil. Those driven fairly aggressively (but not flat out) in the first 100 miles have superb characteristics and never consume oil. You need pressure on the piston rings whilst the cylinder bore honing has some abrasive properties.

I've run two vehicles in very gently, in accordance with the handbook, both used oil between services. I've driven one fairly hard in the first 100 miles and it uses absolutely no oil between services. I also observed the company cars that were thrashed from day one that seemed faster, didn't use oil, and went on to do huge mileages without any engine problems.

As somebody who had new cars on a works car scheme for years, I can fully agree with all of the above.    The guys that plodded about in them for the first 1000 miles and more ended up with cars that drove like a dog, whereas mine were all quite lively.   

[TheBoy]

Yeah, but you handed yours back after a year.

I've always started out relatively gentle, gradually taking up to normal by around 600 miles.  No issues with that, and rarely had engine issues.

After needing a new engine in a 1.8 Astra, due to finding 1st gear at about 60-70mph, the recon company suggested I run it in for 5k, and I think it had a different oil for the first 1k.  That engine always felt sluggish, and defo not as quick as the engine that came out.  Whether that was due to running in, or a crap rebuilt engine....

[YZ250]

Yeah, but you handed yours back after a year.

I've always started out relatively gentle, gradually taking up to normal by around 600 miles.  No issues with that, and rarely had engine issues.

After needing a new engine in a 1.8 Astra, due to finding 1st gear at about 60-70mph, the recon company suggested I run it in for 5k, and I think it had a different oil for the first 1k.  That engine always felt sluggish, and defo not as quick as the engine that came out.  Whetherhairs.  that was due to running in, or a crap rebuilt engine....

In the later years I bought them and treated them the same. 

[countrywoman]

Its slogging them with high load/low revs that destroys running in ,just drive normal and keep revs middling.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Is it still the tyres that need running in for the first 600 miles?

Certainly when I have fitted new tyres they come with the advice to do that.

As for revving the engine, is that not still known as an "Italian tune up"?  

Have used that technique over the decades, and I think it did at least some good

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Running in has been resigned to history.

I used launch control within the first 50 miles.

My car seems to be a good example of the breed having used virtually no oil in the first 6000 miles. It is also making far more power and torque than the manufacturers say when strapped to a dyno.

Miss Daisy type running in procedures tends to lead to slow cars that use a lot of oil and petrol.

[ronnyd]

Is it still the tyres that need running in for the first 600 miles?

Certainly when I have fitted new tyres they come with the advice to do that.

As for revving the engine, is that not still known as an "Italian tune up"?  

Have used that technique over the decades, and I think it did at least some good

On an added thought. I wonder how many bother to check their wheel nuts/bolts after having new tyres fitted.

[YZ250]

Running in has been resigned to history.

I used launch control within the first 50 miles.
.........

Way to go, I like the style.   

When I picked up my 335d I was told to watch my speed, so I did .... all the way up to the limiter. 

[countrywoman]

Check your wheel nuts TO SEE IF YOU CAN UNDO THEM!!!!

[TheBoy]

just drive normal and keep revs middling.

That's a contradiction. Ask YZ250, seeing as I am a reformed character

[TheBoy]

Is it still the tyres that need running in for the first 600 miles?

Just watch it for the first 5 miles or so, whilst the release agent comes off, they can be a little more slippery.  Though unless you're driving towards the limit, you prob won't notice.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Is it still the tyres that need running in for the first 600 miles?

Just watch it for the first 5 miles or so, whilst the release agent comes off, they can be a little more slippery.  Though unless you're driving towards the limit, you prob won't notice.

In actual fact for me now it is all local driving, with just a couple of miles of motorway that I use.  The rest is just the usual local roads where I am lucky to do 40 mph!

[JasonH]

After needing a new engine in a 1.8 Astra, due to finding 1st gear at about 60-70mph

That must have been exciting....was there a loud bang? Years ago a girlfriend driving my car managed to put it in second when driving on the motorway. The rev counter went off the end but the engine survived - phew. I wasn't very happy though