TB1000

How far down should I let the engine brake and should I upshift at some point or stay in gear?

I've been driving it somewhat hard on the interstates (not redlining through all gears but only through 3rd) and then engine breaking as much as possible as traffic will allow me.

pyramid

about 20 minutes after I left the dealership.

volsfan0911

when I picked up my '10 GTI I was 250 miles from home. No cruise control for the first 1,000 miles and was shifting a lot between 4,5,6 on the GSP. Took a detour to AC just to get a lot of varied rpms in (along with some blackjack of course) then eventually got home. Ran with some folks at 90 mph, loped along at 50 mph as well. But varied rpm and engine braking and HARD ring loading are all so critical to the break in period. I drive my GTI hard now, maintain her well and after 41,000 miles I have had no oil consumption at all. Mileage has been great, power a kick in the butt.

DrGP

Let it coast back to an acceptable speed in gear without up shifting.

socfan12

Hi DrGP,

I've been following your recipe for break-in as much as I can. I've been WOT'ing in 3rd and then engine braking while traffic allows. I now have over 1100 miles on my car and am beginning to WOT in 4th, will try 5th when I get the chance. Started this about 10 minutes after leaving the dealership.

How long should I continue the break-in procedure before the engine is considered broken in? Not that I'm complaining, as it sure is a fun break-in procedure!

thx!

DrGP

At 1000 miles there are no longer any restrictions. Car will continue to loosen up through 5k miles and perhaps longer. But after 1k you no longer are in the break in period. Enjoy!

socfan12

Wow, my spelling is pretty bad before I had my coffee! But I guess you understood what I was saying.

So break-in period is over and I can slow down now? Cool.

Thx for the advice, Doc. Will report bill of health when I bring it in for service.

cheers!

giovanni0330

I have followed the manufacturer break in with EVERY car I have ever owned including every Audi and have never had ANY issues ever. My current Audi is at 55K and have never had any oil issues or any other issues for that matter.

I can take into account the smaller % of people using a "created" break in method that seems to work for those that report it back on an internet site or the Manufacturer method that the larger percentage uses...

I'll stick with the success of the masses. There will always be issues with cars but to say the break-in is the total issue with those and create a hybrid method and call it foolproof is as arrogant as your attack on the manufacturer method...

DrGP

The truth will always be the truth reagardless of what you or I think. Have there been reports of oil consumption issues from those following the manufacturer's break in recomendations. Yes, and not only Audi. Have there been reports of the same from those that follow the Motoman technique? None that I could find on these forums or anywhere else on the internet. I invite you to find some. Gio, I repect you opinion. But there are very many of us that have used the technique on multiple cars with no reported oil consumption issues. In the same way that I will never convice you the Motomans tecnique is the best, you will never convince anyone who uses the Motoman technique to do otherwise.