I let my teenage son clean the inside of the Scoob on Saturday. Of course he left the interior lights on, and I didn't check.
6.50 a.m. Monday - totally dead, ECU reset. So, into my wife's car to get to work whilst she puts the Scoob on charge.

What I am wondering is how hard I have to drive it (and for how long) when I get to it this evening. Obviously I have to let it warm up before I use it, but can anyone who has done this before advise me on this one?

Thanks.

 

Whoa, dont drive it hard at all.
When you reset the ECU, you want to start the car, then not touch anything, just let it idle for around 10 mins. This will allow the ECU to relearn its settings.
After letting it idle for 10 mins, take it out and drive it however you want, that wont make any difference.
When you first start it up, you will probably notice it idles erratically, but should settle down to normal within the 10 mins. Once it has settled, it is fine to drive, but leave it for a bit to be sure.

 

There have been many posts on the benifits of resetting the ECU and what to do afterwards, but form personal experience with an MY99 car it makes NO difference whatsoever. The ECU supposedly adjusts to the fuel you use (low/high RON), bur will only do this if knocking is detected. Unmodified UK cars will not knock on ordinary unleaded so there is no point taking your out for a thrash or whatever.

 

IntegraR/Orville,

Thanks for the comments. 10 mins idling it is then.

The car is an STi IV, and it has a tank full of SUL in it. Does this make a difference?

 

XRS,
I have not heard of the 10 minute idle thing before but it certainly will not hurt. Just drive your car normally and everything will be fine.

 

Yeah the 10min idle thing is on the MRT FAQ.
Did this in my MY98 and it did appear to pull stronger.

I guess it has less effect on Phase 2 engines.

James.

 

Be very careful if your car is an STi. It will det at first, even on SUL.

Don't use full throttle and avoid high boost for the first 100 miles or so. Gradually increase performance over this period and you should be fine.

If you had a knocklink, it would light up like a Christmas tree on full chat at first! The torque would be noticeably stronger. But you would be damaging the engine.

Strongly recommend you put some octane booster in now.

 

Thanks again guys, Granny mode for the next couple of days then.

I do have some OB so I guess it won't do any harm to put it in even though it wont get mixed as well as if I filled the tank on top of it.

 

Done this lottsa times..

Simply start the car <B>without</B> touching the accelerator. Let it idle until the idle settles back to normal.. (takes 10 mins or so ) It'll "hunt" anywhere from 1500rpm down. When It settles back at normal ~750 then ya right

Oh and never had any need to "soft soap" it afterwards

Richard