Gridlock Mikey

Advice/knowledge required about the thing they call running in.

1) Is it absolutley vital?

2) What can happen if it is not done?

3) Is it ....1000 miles and not above 4000rpm or....

4) 1000 and not above 3000rpm and NO labouring?

Anyone got any scary stories that can be attributed to NOT running in correctly or instances where a dealer has tried to wriggle out of warranty work claiming that the engine had not been run in correctly?

Any input greatfully recieved

Cheers

MIKEY

Stef

Mikey.
It is certainly advisable due to the type of oil in the car, etc, etc, and should only take a couple of days to do!
Don't go above 4,000 at all if you can help it, though I couldn't!
Once you've had the first service though, AWAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY you go, no holds barred.

Stef.

Neil Smalley

See

Olly

I am probably wrong of course, but isn't it a bit of an urban myth that "running in" oil gets bunged in a new car?

When Dieter the Dutchman goes to his local Subaru dealer and buys a spanking WRX, he doesn't have to go anywhere near the garage until 7500 miles (12000km). What breed of oil is in his car? Or do new LHD cars need more running in? Do different countries have different oils? Does oil get changed or swapped as part of the PDI?

I always thought it was a bit of a ploy from the manufacturers to make you spend a few extra quid at the dealership once 1000 miles is on the clock. As I say, I prepare to be corrected.

Olly (ready for his 90 quid 1000 mile service next week).

Gridlock Mikey

Thanks for that chaps, I whole heartedly intend to do the right thing and do it properly, I just don't wanna give me dealer anymore dosh than I have too.

Ollys situation is a case in point, why has he been charged £90 and me £40?

It just makes the whole thing look like a money spinner to me.

Is anything affected if I did the oil change myself?

7 Days to go by the way

logiclee

Mikey,

If you change the oil yourself you have not had you car serviced to Subaru recognised standards and will invalidate your warrenty.

Lee

Neil Smalley

Olly. I would go by the book if I were you. In the UK that would mean a 1K service, even though it's an import. It gives them much less of an excuse not to throw out your warranty claim.

I've heard stories where trying to get Subaru to honour the warranty on non UK cars is like pulling teeth. Don't let it be your teeth that are pulled for the sake of 90 quid.

Olly

QED.....

Mikey, my car is an import. I always thought the 1st service was free for UK cars (I am probably wrong of course: never bought a new car from Subaru in UK). Or is it free, but not including oil 'n filter, hence the 40 notes?

Neil Smalley

Dunno for non UK cars. Labour is free, oil is about 40 quid. so that sounds about right

Gridlock Mikey

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Olly:
<B>QED.....

Mikey, my car is an import. I always thought the 1st service was free for UK cars (I am probably wrong of course: never bought a new car from Subaru in UK). Or is it free, but not including oil 'n filter, hence the 40 notes?[/quote]


Ever get that feeling that everyone in the whole wide world is earning a living outta your pocket?

Oh well, thanks again people, as the saying goes, if you can't afford it........buy it anyway

Gridlock Mikey

Can't believe that i've done 50 odd posts already, don't time fly when ya havin fun?

By the way, can someone e-mail me with a laymans explination as to what "detonation" is. I'm not a total mechanical retard (Army saw to that) but i wanna know for sure and I don't want to bore other bbs members.

Cheers

Mikey

Olly

Neil

Couldn't agree more. Luckily I have never had the need for a claim, but I can imagine the hassle involved.

Despite the cynisism over the first service, I am a big believer in changing oil, and would probably do it myself even if the first service interval was 7500 miles.
Used to rally a group N Nova GTE a few years ago, and as an eligible contender of the Shell Scholarship (hence an almost unlimited supply of lovely Shell Helix) the rally car was treated to 3.9 litres of fresh synthetic after every event. A bit like changing the oil every 300 miles. Six years on, the car is still being rallied (now by the local Subaru sales exec funnily enough) and the head has never been off the engine.