driving a new car

[scoobysnaks]

My wife just became the owner of a bmw 116i ES. It is the first time we have owned a brand new car and believe that it may/should be driven around 50mph max to run it in? Is this correct anyone? For how many miles as we are not sure? Anyone with any tips regarding looking after a new car are welcome to post. Thanks in advance.

[Zippy123]

Try this link for a good website on car advice.

The link points to thier FAQ for running in a petrol engine.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=44

[zappahey]

It is the first time we have owned a brand new car and believe that it may/should be driven around 50mph max to run it in? Is this correct anyone?

RTFM! (Read the flipping manual, or words to that effect). :)

[scoobysnaks]

RTFM! (Read the flipping manual, or words to that effect). :)

None of the documentation I have gives any reference to running the vehicle in that is why I am asking here.

I am still none the wiser....

[Al Mac]

As far as I was aware engineering had improved enough that running in isn;t required

[K9cuddles]

I would say just don't rev the pants off it!! Change gear low down!!

[ManAtHome]

Just drive it like a Money-Saving Expert...

Some cars have a 'shake-down' check after 3 months to change the oil and check a few bolts, but modern engines don't need the "keep under 40 for the first 1,000 miles etc".

[chas1937]

just treat it like you would treat a new baby,gently at first and gradually increasing speed etc as the miles pass.Even new brake pads need running in so too speak but cars nowadays dont need the old stick too 30 for 1st 500 miles sort of thing.Also oil has also improved now and some makers are saying 20,000 for servicing.I dont agree with that as I would change my oil before that as thats cheaper than new engine

[Lob Rockster]

Personally, I treat any new vehicle like I would treat it during its life. Start up, drive gently until the oil and engine are warm and then drive it like I stole it! ;)

www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm (http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm) offers good advice - as everything on the internerd, you might want to take a pinch of salt with it.

Remember brakes and tyres are new and thus are bedding-in - but once it's warm, drive it as you wish to drive it for life (at least in a straight line with no obstacles!).

[bunking_off]

The OP would be well advised to read the link that Zippy posted earlier. On many modern engines, running the car gently when new won't allow it to bed in properly. The net result is that you'll suffer from excessive oil usage thereafter. I recall that VW group engines are particularly susceptible to this.

[IvanOpinion]

The run in period on my last car lasted until I got it off the garage forecourt ... thereafter I drove it normally (but did not red line it). I was always told that the most important thing when running a vehicle in is to NOT sit at a steady speed for prolonged periods.

Ivan

[tomstickland]

When I ran a rebuilt engine in then I followed the advice of a tuning book that advocated going out and giving the car full throttle at low rpm up to about 50% max rpm a number of times to help push the piston rings out and get them started on the bedding in process. Then it said varied rpm and loads with the max rpm gradually increasing as you added the miles. It doesn't matter what speed you go at, just limit the peak rpm at first and show some mechanical sympathy.

Oddly enough, good oils can hamper the running in process, so I tended to use cheap stuff and change it after 250, 500 and 1000 miles, but that's enthusiasts for you. See what the manual says.