engine break in

schwartzw · 03-16-2008, 10:42 PM

I was just reading some posts at audiforums.com and in a break in thread a couple guys mentioned this link.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Seems to make sense. Has anyone else seen or given thought to this?

If all goes well I should be picking up my car in the next week or two so doing some research ahead of time.

Deus Ex Machina · 03-17-2008, 02:16 AM

ago, when the engine really needed a window to seat properly. That was when tolerances were not as close as they are now and manufacturing techniques were not as precise as now, either.

I personally like to go moderate. I don't "drive it like I stole it" because that sounds and is stupid.

I like to employ a deliberate, controlled moderate break-in by most importantly revving up and down the rpm range (close to redline) and letting the engine do the braking (slowing the car) by speeding up in 2nd to near redline and then rapidly taking my foot off the throttle and letting it decelerate while the engine vacuum pulls the piston rings into the cylinder walls, helping piston seating.

The manual (Audi at least) is not very specific as far as break-in. Just "don't drive more than 3/4 of the top speed on the speedo" and "don't rev the engine high when cold" and "don't use full throttle till 600 miles". Not alot of help but it does imply that the engine is pretty much broken-in and not a whole lot will mess it up now.

April · 03-17-2008, 07:25 AM

klik

Jack_Smackus · 03-17-2008, 08:43 AM

Bezor · 03-17-2008, 09:00 AM

OceanBP · 03-18-2008, 04:21 PM

Some A3 owners complain of high oil consumption, like 1 quart per 1200 miles, roughly. Others don't. If there was a way to collect those owner who have the LOWEST consumption, and ask them how they broke-in their engine, it would be interesting info.

Personally, my '08 A3 2.0T now has about 800 miles on it. I have been watching the oil level carefully, always checking in my garage with a cold engine, for consistency. It hasn't budged from where it was when I brought home the car. (I'm sure it's not "zero" consumption, as that would actually be bad for the engine, if not impossible). My break-in process was just to drive the car like I normally would "in public," No redline (maybe once or twice...), essentially no full throttle, let the DSG trans decide where to shift, for the most part. Also, essentially no trips under 6 miles in length.

April · 03-18-2008, 08:00 PM

problems that lead to oil use. No function of the break-in process obviously

TurboLust · 03-19-2008, 03:10 AM

OceanBP · 03-20-2008, 05:50 PM

Not a lot of difference, in my experience. It will be slightly lower when at operating temp, soon after shutting off, because oil is still draining to the pan. But what I'm doing is consistent, and will tell me if it's changing levels - probably better than checking it hot, because when hot the level will vary a tiny bit due to just how much time has elapsed since shutting off the engine.

Actually, when cold, I'm just at the top of the top "full" notch, just like when new.

So it's all good.

03-17-2008, 02:16 AM	#2
Deus Ex Machina Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,853	Big controversy regarding this. The whole theory around break-in may not be as important as years.. ago, when the engine really needed a window to seat properly. That was when tolerances were not as close as they are now and manufacturing techniques were not as precise as now, either. I personally like to go moderate. I don't "drive it like I stole it" because that sounds and is stupid. I like to employ a deliberate, controlled moderate break-in by most importantly revving up and down the rpm range (close to redline) and letting the engine do the braking (slowing the car) by speeding up in 2nd to near redline and then rapidly taking my foot off the throttle and letting it decelerate while the engine vacuum pulls the piston rings into the cylinder walls, helping piston seating. The manual (Audi at least) is not very specific as far as break-in. Just "don't drive more than 3/4 of the top speed on the speedo" and "don't rev the engine high when cold" and "don't use full throttle till 600 miles". Not alot of help but it does imply that the engine is pretty much broken-in and not a whole lot will mess it up now. __________________ 2005 S4 6 spd:Full LaBree exhaust/KW Variant 3 Coilovers/Matrix-Alta CAI/BBS LM's 19x8.5/30% Tint/V1/Clearbra. Winter Mode: 235/40 18" Dunlop M3's on Stock Avus Rims. TRADED FOR 2008 LAVA GREY A3 2.0T S-LINE WITH DSG APR STAGE II+ on 18" B7 RS4 wheels ET 42....PICS SOON.

03-17-2008, 07:25 AM	#3
April AudiWorld Uber User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 52,940	...... klik __________________

03-17-2008, 08:43 AM	#4
Jack_Smackus AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 555	Follow your manual. __________________ 2006 A3 3.2 Black, 18" rims, Nav, Open Sky, Bi-Xeon, Winter,. Thank you AudiWorld for switching to vBulletin. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

03-17-2008, 09:00 AM	#5
Bezor AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,062	Tolerances are tighter, materials better, and so is the lubricant. __________________ '07 A3 Light Silver/Light Gray 2.0T DSG/S-line/Open Sky/Tech pkg/Cold Weather pkg '01 BMW E46 Orient Blue/Tan / Special Order

03-18-2008, 04:21 PM	#6
OceanBP New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 38	Best Answer seems to be...What leads to low oil consumption? Some A3 owners complain of high oil consumption, like 1 quart per 1200 miles, roughly. Others don't. If there was a way to collect those owner who have the LOWEST consumption, and ask them how they broke-in their engine, it would be interesting info. Personally, my '08 A3 2.0T now has about 800 miles on it. I have been watching the oil level carefully, always checking in my garage with a cold engine, for consistency. It hasn't budged from where it was when I brought home the car. (I'm sure it's not "zero" consumption, as that would actually be bad for the engine, if not impossible). My break-in process was just to drive the car like I normally would "in public," No redline (maybe once or twice...), essentially no full throttle, let the DSG trans decide where to shift, for the most part. Also, essentially no trips under 6 miles in length.

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03-18-2008, 08:00 PM	#7
April AudiWorld Uber User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 52,940	There may be a fly in that ointment as some 2.0T engines appear to have valve guide problems that lead to oil use. No function of the break-in process obviously __________________

03-19-2008, 03:10 AM	#8
TurboLust Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,319	You should always check the oil while it's warm after having been at operating temp.

03-20-2008, 05:50 PM	#9
OceanBP New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 38	Re: You should always check the oil while it's warm after having been at operating temp. Not a lot of difference, in my experience. It will be slightly lower when at operating temp, soon after shutting off, because oil is still draining to the pan. But what I'm doing is consistent, and will tell me if it's changing levels - probably better than checking it hot, because when hot the level will vary a tiny bit due to just how much time has elapsed since shutting off the engine. Actually, when cold, I'm just at the top of the top "full" notch, just like when new. So it's all good.

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03-20-2008, 05:50 PM
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