Finally plunged!

[mickrw]

After reading through the Tuscan posts for the last year I finally took the plunge on Saturday and part ex-ed my ultra reliable Chim 500 for a brand new Tuscan.
Just couldn't wait any longer! Any good tips on how to run the car in to prolong engine life would be welcome , as well as any other tips on what to look for before I take delivery?

Cheers

Mick

[Bear]

Running in first 1k miles = 3000rpm
then you have 1st service
up to 2k miles = 4000rpm
up to 3k miles - 5000rpm
up to 4k miles = 6000rpm
up to 5k miles = loads of fun

I was told "You can break out of this after 3k miles but you will find that both you and the car will benefit by this"

This is what I'm currently doing on my new Tuscan and touch wood very few probs!

Have fun

The Bear

[dannylt]

That is not the factory advice. You should be up to full power full revs by 2000 miles otherwise you're more likely to glaze the bores and get high oil consumption. Call the factory service dept.

[matttav]

Mick....

If you had a nice new dark coloured Tuscan... I would strongly recommend that you hand over the keys to someone at your work place with an S1 and a Chimeara. He would run her in for you saving u time and energy!!

I believe this info is in Reader Digest!

Matt Tav (S1 and Chimeara owner)

[johnwilk]

Mick,
I think one of the best pieces of advice for the Tuscan Speed 6 engine is to ensure that you do not give it any big revs when the engine is cold. The recommended advice from the factory (and my dealer, Mole Valley) is not to exceed 2500 revs until the oil temperature reaches 70°C - this takes a long time! You think the engine is warm and ready to roll and the temp gauge reads normal, but just take a look at the oil temp - it stays very low for a long time after the water temp has reached normal.
Hope you enjoy the car.
John

[Luca Brazzi]

quote:
The recommended advice from the factory (and my dealer, Mole Valley) is not to exceed 2500 revs until the oil temperature reaches 70°C - this takes a long time!

The cribb sheet mole valey give you when you take delivery of the car says 60C for the oil temp.

On a day like today, that would mean I turn the engine on, leave on tickover for 3-4 minutes, then drive like a pussycat for approx. a further 10 mins, by which time the oil is around that. Besides which, you know not to use it hard, because it sounds so rough for the first 10 mins.
LB

[mickrw]

Guys

Thanks for the advice. Picked the car up a week last Saturday and already I'm as frustrated as h... that I can't explore how she will perform. This running in sure takes some patience! I've been extremely cautious until the engine oil temp is >70 keeping <2500rpm. It's already booked in for 1000 mile svc. Just feels a fantastic car with such taut handling in comparison to my Chim, much more like a Caterham 7. Really inspires confidence that it will go where it's pointed, up to a point no doubt!

Luca
Missed you yesterday at VW as I had to leave at 1230.

Mick

[tigerruss]

The main rule is not to over rev the engine when cold, whatever the age of the car. Use light throttle until the oil temp has reached at least 50 degrees.

Running in is a different matter with the aim not to over stress the engine but get it used to varying revs with different gearing.

Yes you can be too cautious when glazing will occur and most advice is on the cautious side. I suggest the follwing:
<500 miles - Light throttle upto 3K, never labour engine
500-1000 miles - Light throttle upto 3.5K with a few runs to 4K in 3rd on light/med throttle
1000-1500 miles - Light/medium throttle progressing revs to 4.5K at 1500 miles. Gradually increase occasional medium throttle runs to 4.5K in 2/3/4th gears
1500-2000 miles - Medium throttle progressing revs to 7K on occasions at 1800-2000 miles. Use med/hard accelleration sparingly at 1500 but start to push hard on occasions when engine nicely warm as miles reach 2000.
>2000 Simply ensure engine is always warm before and hard acceleration.

General rule is 'Run it in hard and its go well but only for a short while, be a wimp and you'll never get the best from it'

You don't want Porkers and Ferrari's passing you do you?