Running in 2013 D90

[gconran]

So... Happiest man alive - picked up my new D90 yesterday.

Nothing in the owners manual about running it in? What's everyone's thoughts on this??

[BigBlueOne]

Two days after i picked up my 2012 D90 i took it for a 1000km drive around the wheatbelt and my mates farm. I wasn't told by the dealer to run it in but i figured it would be good for it rather than stop, start drives to work, shops etc. 20,000km's later and still good.

[Sue]

Ah.. a new Defender.. It's a nice feeling isn't it! Don't forget to post some pics of your new baby!

As for running it in.. drive it like you stole it. That's what I was told and it's running fine.. :) I'm sure that other more mechanically minded people will be along soon with their running in advice too.. :)

[PAT303]

^ what she said. Pat

[red roo]

I was told run em in hard they go hard. And a early oil change never hurts

[rick130]

Yep, drive em like you stole em. (or just drive them normally)

City, stop, start driving is best, up and down the rev range.

Constant highway/freeway/the same revs or lugging around at low revs, no load is the worst thing you can do.

[101RRS]

Modern engines are run in at the factory but are still a bit tight - just drive the thing normally - no extremes.

Garry

[debruiser]

I bought a new focus back in 03. They said no need for anything special, just drive it normally and it will free up nicely after about 5000kms. That's a while back now... and a petrol engine but still , same thing.

EDIT: O and I forgot to mention, How does she go? I'm getting a 2013 D90 in April! very excited. And lets see some pics!

[Sandgroper]

[QUOTE=Sue;1868298]Ah.. a new Defender.. It's a nice feeling isn't it! Don't forget to post some pics of your new baby!

...... drive it like you stole it.

What a great expression!

[Andy_Chil]

My new MY13 110 arrives next week. Very excited. First ever Land Rover!

[Loubrey]

While the majority of comment regarding "running in" relates to the engine, I always been advised that especially with Defenders "mechanical sympathy" goes a long way in ensuring your car's longevity.

This goes with getting used to your car's drivetrain slack (which differs from vehicle to vehicle), clutch take up etc.

I agree with Rick that gentle revving up and down the gear range to be the best way to "bed" all the mechanical components into a single homogenous unit.

I drove my 2010 90 like that from day one and a month before warranty runs out (20 April 2013) I've had 2 very minor electrical issues that got sorted without any pain (I had two mud flaps changed, but this is a separate issue!). My car spent 18 months in the heat of the Pilbara and does more rock crawling than most and my diffs, transfer case, gearbox etc are all in perfect working condition as when I received the car.

Enjoy your Defender use it as it was intended!

Cheers,

Lou

[rick130]

While the majority of comment regarding "running in" relates to the engine, I always been advised that especially with Defenders "mechanical sympathy" goes a long way in ensuring your car's longevity.

This goes with getting used to your car's drivetrain slack (which differs from vehicle to vehicle), clutch take up etc.

I agree with Rick that gentle revving up and down the gear range to be the best way to "bed" all the mechanical components into a single homogenous unit.

I drove my 2010 90 like that from day one and a month before warranty runs out (20 April 2013) I've had 2 very minor electrical issues that got sorted without any pain (I had two mud flaps changed, but this is a separate issue!). My car spent 18 months in the heat of the Pilbara and does more rock crawling than most and my diffs, transfer case, gearbox etc are all in perfect working condition as when I received the car.

Enjoy your Defender use it as it was intended!

Cheers,

Lou

Actually it's good idea to drive steadily, no high speed stuff for the first couple of hundred km just for the diffs (and to a lesser extent, the gears) sake.

CWP's do need running in and can run very hot when new.
It mightn't be as big a problem with the Rover and P38 style CWP's as a Sals, but it's always been an important operation with race cars to ensure a decent life.

[RVR110]

As Loubrey said, there's more to running a car in than just the engine...

[MuzzyDelta90]

I am a bit "old school" when it comes to running in vehicles. Yes, the engine has been started up on a test bed but I still reckon you have to take it easy for a while - don't over rev the motor for the first few thousand km's - don't let the engine labour too much. It's not a water pump however, and needs to be driven at a variety of speeds. The rest of vehicle, gear boxes, diffs etc all need to be bedded in. People will disagree with me, but my belief is that a nice and easy run in period will mean a longer and more reliable life for the vehicle.

Just clocked 19,000 km on my beastie (a D90) and it's been brilliant - I read about all the troubles people have with their new Landie, but apart from a turbo hose coming off, I haven't had a bit of trouble with it.

cheers

Andrew

[dawsey]

picked up my 110 crewcab pickup last thursday..same thing dealer said just drive it..and come back after 13000km for first service...done 700km runs well apart from that old perennial problem with the side air vent cover falling off..nuthin a small dap of sickaflex dint fix..

[gconran]

Thanks all!

As expected a variety of views.

Here's another question. 250km on the clock
Now. It's likely that this weekend I might head up to Lancelin for some sand driving.... Thoughts on this escapade?! I imagine it'll have about 500 on the clock by then...??

[Sue]

Thanks all!

As expected a variety of views.

Here's another question. 250km on the clock
Now. It's likely that this weekend I might head up to Lancelin for some sand driving.... Thoughts on this escapade?! I imagine it'll have about 500 on the clock by then...??

Nothing to worry about.. mine has exactly 34 kms on the clock when I took it off road.. over 60,000 kms now and I've not had any trouble with mine.. :)

[Loubrey]

Thanks all!

As expected a variety of views.

Here's another question. 250km on the clock
Now. It's likely that this weekend I might head up to Lancelin for some sand driving.... Thoughts on this escapade?! I imagine it'll have about 500 on the clock by then...??

Just make sure you work out exactly which sections are for cars and which are for bikes/ quads! All you need is to be cresting a dune and a maniac on a quad pillowing into you.

You going with a group or just a play on your own? The Puma's traction control takes a bit of getting used to, so don't be surprised if she behaves a bit odd and make sue your pressures are right low.

Cheers,

Lou