Owned the car for 2months and just done 1K (a crime I know). 1st service tomorrow. I cant wait to give it some - but is this wise? Should I still treat the engine gently?
Your advise is appreciated
Brooks

 

2 schools of thought here.....

Some say that straight after the 1k service, take the revs to the max.....its the only way to loosen the engine up........however, my definition of a loose engine is a worn one......

or

After the 1k service, take it up 500rpm every 50 miles, gradually building up to full revs using full throttle......

Some people will say this is pointless but at least you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you ran your car in properly.......you've been in the 4000rpm zone for the first 1000miles so take time building up to the use of max revs.......This will be more benefitial to the car in the long run, so would be worth while if you are keeping it for a fair few years..

laters

stu

 

Ooooh, I reckon you've blown it already....

Well, not really but when I was running mine in (STi so a bit different), I stuck to 4000 rpm for 400 miles then went up 1000 rpm for every 100 miles. Having said that, that was only for peak revs - I wouldn't hold it at those revs but I would be inclined to hold it slightly higher. Then when you have the 1st service, you can give it pretty much straight after.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I believe it's better to loosen the engine up before you give it. If you stick at 4000 (or whatever) for 1000 miles then go straight out and up to 8000 (or whatever), it won't be good.

I was told that that's the best way to do it by a biker but dunno if that's true. Anyone?

 

My Impreza had its first 1000 mile service last week (at 1060 miles) and for that first 1060 miles I was very careful not to exceed 4000 rpm or use any harsh acceleration and also made sure I didn't sit at the motorway at a constant speed for too long.

Now it is up to 1500 miles and I have obviously now used the performance and I have to admit to being a little disapointed as it seems a bit slow to me. I am not sure if its my imagination but it doesn't seem as quick as the S reg car with 17000 miles on the clock that I first took for a test drive (The official demonstrator was out so i drove one off the forecourt).

It doesn't feel as if it gives the same shove in the back when the turbo kicks in as the car I test drove and I was wondering if they are all like that at first and get faster as the miles build up??

I have not taken it over 5000RPM yet and judging from passengers reactions they all think it is quick but I have to admit it doesn't feel as quick as I had hoped!! When I used to own an Uno Turbo I did get so used to the performance (although not in the scooby league) that I often thought the turbo was not boosting properly. My friend who owned an RS turbo also used to seek assurance from me when I was a passenger that the turbo was working properly because he also got so used to it.

Have I got a dud or will it just get quicker and quicker??

Also I have been running from new on Super unleaded but at the weekend I had to fill up on Normal Unleaded as the garage I went to didn't sell it. Does this make much difference and will I notice any decrease in performance (it seems slow enough already!!)

 

Joey,

I wouldnt worry too much. I'm still waiting for my new Impreza but from what I,ve read here and on other similar websites everyone who knows these cars has the same complaint about new ones. Common opinion is that the car needs about 4000 miles to loosen up, during this time the car gets quicker and quicker. Not a bit, but a lot!!.

As to the fuel, there are differing view points as to the performance benefits although most people admit 4 star gives slightly better economy at least. I shall run mine on the hard stuff.

Mark...

 

Joey . . .

Similar problem here. Took the Scoob for its 1000 mile service last week (well, it was 1200 by the time I got there!) so have been gently increasing the power ever since. But, like you, I dont seem to get the kick in the back feeling I got from the demonstrator or, to be honest, when I first got the car(it used to pelt at 3k revs).

I only ever bought 95 RON unleaded, so just to see if its the petrol, I've popped in a tankful of 97 super.

Anyone got any ideas on how to get that kick in the back feeling back? (and dont say drive a metro for a week then go back to the scoob).

Andrew

 

Posted a few weeks ago about how disappointed
i had been immediately after the 1st service.
Having swapped from a cossie it felt like the turbo had fallen off!
From 1500 onwards however things have perked up no end. I've now done 2300 and it's really flying. If the loosening up process carries on til 4000 miles then i'll be well chuffed.
Having said that the demo model I test drove
had been a company car for 6 months (ie thrashed from the start probably) and that wasn't particularly quick at 10K, so the careful running in option should surely be the preferred one>
Steve

 

Give it time. When I got my MY00 for the first 3000 miles it seemed a little sluggish and then after it's 4000th mile it was like a different car. They do loosen up considerably.

 

There is a school of thought (not one I subscribe to) that to get the best power from an engine, you get in and thrash it from day one. It certainly won't last as long but you'll loosen it up nicely and it'll make good power.

Only worth considering if you're not going to have the car very long I'd think...

 

JD,

Had exactly the same feeling as you. The car I test drove was a 97 model as well, and my 99 car felt dissaponting over 4000 revs immediately post 1st service.

For me there was not as much difference after 4k as I had thought.

Yes, it gets faster with age (10,000 miles now), but there are another two things to consider.

1) 97 cars were more laggy and needed more revs to fly, so more noticable on/off boost and low/high rev differences.

2) You get used to it very quickly.

D.

 

Brooks,
Are you normally driving on wide-ish open roads with a smooth surface?

To me - if I am on this type of road my MY00 (std turb) feels bored as it is not changing direction enough (or is it me?!)
For me the car is setup perfectly for bumpy, twisty, camber changing, wet roads with occasional smattering of leaves, cow sh$te,etc Ie A and B roads. Try taking it down wee road and boot it - on these smaller twistier roads your'e in 2nd and 3rd gear.
The only suspension mod I'm planning is to get those wheels splayed Wide to quell under-s - spread em baby.....

One other thing - my last car had the torquey 115bhp 2.0 8v VW engine in it and it only started to feel really good at 50K !! I'd done 35k in the car and I'd certainly rev'd it a lot

 

I've always run mine in over recommended periods, but then Im scared they'll fall to pieces otherwise I would follow Frisbys first post advice - especially if the car is likely to be around for a while.

With regards to pace

1) It always feels faster from a passenger seat cos they dont know when you're about to press the loud pedal
2) It will carry on getting faster up to about 10K miles I would imagine (mine certainly did)
3) as Diablo said, you do get used to it quickly
4) They ARE slow...

Night