I have read a lot of the advice about the break-in period, but I have a specific problem. I have a new A4 3.0 Tip (no sport) and I love it. The only problem is that I am quite busy at this time and the only times I will be driving my new baby will be for 100 mile (mostly highway) trips. Any advice on how to break in properly while doing one of the "don't"s (i.e. long trips)?

Thanks for any advice (great forum, btw).

 

You have to break it in??

 

That's about all you can do in your situation. Later in the break-in (after 500-1000 miles), I recommend working the engine up closer and closer to redline each time you drive, so the engine is broken in for the higher RPM ranges as well.

 

Outside of the contents of the owners manual, the link below seems to be rather well agreed upon. Following it as closely as was possible, I'm confident that my break-in period was successful. My oil consumption at 4800 miles is low to none and the engine seems to perform and sound very well.

I would not stress yourself too much on this topic. I know I did and I did exorbitant amounts of research and essentially came full circle to realizing it's not all that big of a deal. Tolerances in our cars engines are the best the industry has to offer. There is a factory break-in as well. Common sense will probably serve you just fine.

Soliciting break-in methodologies will get you answers ranging from not driving the car over 50 mph at 3000 rpm to red lining it the first day you get it. Either way, follow along and let the car be your guide.

I however tend to believe through my own experience that if you break it in fast it will always be fast!

;o)<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/1500.phtml">Break-in methodology.</a></li></ul>

 

Today engines are designed and manufactured a more advanced way than they used to be. However, to be conservative, remember that there a few points/facts that would always be present, and you're better off bearing them in mind. Some of these basic points can be worked out from the owner's manual.

1) Should avoid driving the car under heavy load/ full throttle/ high rpm's when it hasn't reach the working temperature. This allows all engine parts to perform the way they have been designed for.

2) The engine is tighter when brand new, so the heat build up due to higher friction at certain ponits (such as main bearings) could reach harmful peaks during early travels. So you should be more careful with high rpm's/ extended driving times for the first trip or so.

3) While short bursts of high compression inside the combustion chamber are considered good for compression rings to set properly (short wide open throttles at around 2.5-3 Krpm), high pressures over extended time are harmful. Therefore, avoid accelerating under full throttle during the break in period.

4) Varying rpm's and going to high revs after initial period should be practiced often. The reason for this is the slight extensions that can happen to conrods at high rpm's. If the engine does not work at such revs for a long while, and such extension does not happen, rings will sit inside the bore at a lower height. Over the time, this limits the travel of pistons to higher points. If you go over your usual rev's, then, not only engine will be rougher, there'd a good chance that you damage the upper rings.

In simple words, the manual asks to use your car for the first 1000 km ina normal manner except that heavy towing, heavy accelerating and travelling at high rpm's for extended times are avoided. From 1000 to 1500 km, the revs can increasingly go towards the maximum. Then you will be alright.