Running in

[richardgilbert]

I am just about to take delivery of my new 997 C4S Coupe and was wondering how many miles you think it takes to run the car in. I am right in assuming 1000 miles and revs not over 6000rpm?

Many thanks

 

[n3gooner]

When I picked up my C2S Cab in May I was told by my OPC 1800 mils and dont go over 4000 RPM. 600 miles to go!!

ENJOY!!

 

[richardgilbert]

Thats going to kill me!!!!

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: richardgilbert

Thats going to kill me!!!!

If you go, will you leave the C4S for me? []

Here is the extract from the 997 owners manual:

Break in hints for the first 2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers
[/b]The following tips will be helpful in obtaining optimum performance from your new Porsche.
Despite the most modern, high-precision manufacturing methods, it cannot be completely avoided that the moving parts have to wear in with each other. This wearing-in occurs mainly in the first 2,000 miles/3,000 km.
Therefore:
- Preferably take longer trips.
- Avoid frequent cold starts with short-distance driving whenever possible.
- Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
- Do not exceed maximum engine speed of 4,200 rpm (revolutions per minute).
- Do not run a cold engine at high rpm either in Neutral or in gear.
- Do not let the engine labor, especially when driving uphill. Shift to the next lower gear in time (use the most favorable rpm range).
- Never lug the engine in high gear at low speeds. This rule applies at all times, not just during the break-in period.
- Do not participate in motor racing events, sports driving schools, etc. during the first 2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers.

There may be a slight stiffness in the steering, gear-shifting or other controls during the break-in period which will gradually disappear.

 

[YvesD]

Of course opinions vary on running in but only a muppet would contend that they knew better than Porsche how to break the motor in having sufferred a related engine failure !.

The golden rule above all else is make sure the oil is properly up to temperature before loading the engine.

Enjoy.

 

[me23rp]

I picked up my C2S last week and was told 5K rev limit for first 1,000 miles but the occasional trip into the 6K was acceptable. As has previously been mentioned golden rule is correct temperatures before loading engine and no trips into red line especially on downshifts.

 

[melsomp]

I think I would be tempted to do the 2000 miles in the first weekend of ownership, say a trip from Land's End to John O'Groats and back, would that be advisable?

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: melsomp

I think I would be tempted to do the 2000 miles in the first weekend of ownership, say a trip from Land's End to John O'Groats and back, would that be advisable?

Enthusiast do it from Stuttgart factory for collection back to UK...

 

[richardgilbert]

Well I have just collected the car, and she is a beauty!!! asked the guy at the OPC and he said take it careful for 100 - 200 miles and then makesure oil is properly up to temperature before loading engine as already stated. I think I will take careful for the first 1000 miles or so!! Well I'll try!!!!!

 

[BLONDELAWMAN]

i always understood (originally from a BM mechanic) that the best regime was to keep engines down just as you guys are all suggesting, but that every hundred or so miles -during the first 1,000 miles- once the engine is fully warmed-up, to put it into 2nd or 3rd and then fully depress the throttle until you get to the red line. The rationale having something to do with the seating of the rings or something?? (i'm a lawyer, not an engineer!)

I did this with my 325 & it always seemed v quick (for a 325).

Anyone got any thoughts? It's what i'm planning to do with my new 997.

 

[mbrands]

I've read that too. And not just to the red line, but also back down again, ie as soon as you get there quickly take your foot off the accelerator and engine break all the way back down to idle speed.

I'm going to try a bit of that when I get my new car, but only when the engine is warm and after I've done one or two hundred miles.

 

[Guest]

I've also heard this. The OPCs would never suggest this due to the legal issues should an owner have a later problem with their engine.

It is critical that engine temp is up and that you do not hold at the red line. Reach it and let go.

Back to Richard - the C4S is an amazing car. I've had mine for about 5 weeks now. It's phenomenal. Enjoy!

 

[philippe]

I read the bit from the manual that thx911 put in and i think that answers it, i have always run my cars in and once they have gone past 500 miles now and again when warm have given the odd bit of high revs, but have stuck to not reving to hard apart from that and it works, i also beleive in having an oil change after the first 1500 2000 miles i use to work for a garage as a young lad and it was shocking what came out in the oil from a new engine i think it is always a good idea to put clean oil in, and then let the real fun start.

Enjoy Phil

 

[simonm]

Is the 100-200 miles simply because the tyres have a mould release compound on them and the brakes require need running in?

What's the delivery mileage and how long did you give it the once over before getting away from OPC?

On new cars the tyre pressure is over inflated to insure both a good initial seal with the rims and to prevent problems in storage.  In the manual it mentions two tyre pressures depending on loading for the front tyres - is this just because the load increases the weight over the front and temporarily increases the pressure?

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: Adrian Fuller

ORIGINAL: jchan

have a read of this article. I'm not a big fan of long slow engine run-ins...

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

I agree !

Make sure it's properly warm, then boot it.

All the remaining advice is almost cetainly legal / marketing rather than mechanical. - Porsche wouldn't want too many headlines about idiots who stuffed their cars on the first day etc.

Do not work with TVRs! They actually offer a running-in service (for an additional price of course) as they claim majority of their car 'issues' are from individuals who do not run them in properly and drive them like they have stolen them from day one according to a TVR salesman I was speaking to...

Oh, why was I speaking to a TVRs salesman you ask? I was bored and there was traffic on A4...[]

 

[YvesD]

That makes for interesting reading !

Lets hope for the mechanically sympathetic amoungst us that Porsche bench testing all its engines to max power has done most of the running in job for us.


Yves

 

[Dapster]

I did a Test Drive Plus last year using the 2 OPC demonstrators - a 997S and a 987S, both of which were well within what you would consider a "running in" period, and were obviously driven without any mechanical sympathy whatsoever. I'd imagine this is the story with all the demo fleet.

The advise I was given by my OPC on the 2 occasions that I've had new P's was take it gently for 800 miles or so, then once everything is up to temperature, drive it like you stole it. My first 986 did 50k trouble free miles after this running in regime.