Running in period V12 Vantage
Discussion
Congratulations 
You will not disappointed.
No special running in procedure is required but the manual says ' it is prudent to limit engine loads ( e.g. By accelerating gently and by using lower gears on steep hills or when negotiating tight turns) during the first 1500km (1000 miles)'
I decided to keep the revs below 5000 for the first 1000 miles.
How many people have gone for an early oil change as I was told it wasn't required until the 1st service?
You will not disappointed.No special running in procedure is required but the manual says ' it is prudent to limit engine loads ( e.g. By accelerating gently and by using lower gears on steep hills or when negotiating tight turns) during the first 1500km (1000 miles)'
I decided to keep the revs below 5000 for the first 1000 miles.
How many people have gone for an early oil change as I was told it wasn't required until the 1st service?
Congratulations. I think the bast way of running in the car is to expose it to a bit of varied driving for the first 1000 miles without exceeding the 5000 revs. However, due to the torque of this engine you will find, that you will barely notice not being able to stretch it's legs fully as the 5000 revs wont arrive until you are 2x the legal limit anyway.
It is an age old question about running engines in and to be honest, no one really knows. As has been mentioned above, hard running can be fine on an engine and some others it isn't.
If you are genuinely, worried (I would in your position) the thing to watch out for is not only maximum engine speed but how the engine is being used. I.e. try and avoid using full throttle. It is a question about not stressing the engine too much. It is all very well being advised to keep it below 5000 rpm but if you are flat out up to 5000 then you could be doing as much damage as you are trying to avoid.
Chris
If you are genuinely, worried (I would in your position) the thing to watch out for is not only maximum engine speed but how the engine is being used. I.e. try and avoid using full throttle. It is a question about not stressing the engine too much. It is all very well being advised to keep it below 5000 rpm but if you are flat out up to 5000 then you could be doing as much damage as you are trying to avoid.
Chris
Agree with the last poster, engineers I've spoken to have agreed that the issue is less about RPMs and more about the engine torque loading, if you are going to adopt the gentle running in approach.
Just thinking about it, I also ran my M6 and two M3s in hard and found them to have turned out well as well. Just make sure you've warmed up the engine, gearbox, diff, etc nice and gently, that's the most important thing I believe...
Just thinking about it, I also ran my M6 and two M3s in hard and found them to have turned out well as well. Just make sure you've warmed up the engine, gearbox, diff, etc nice and gently, that's the most important thing I believe...
Yes, Jus is correct.
Make sure everything is warmed up, not just the water. In my experience, engine oil temps take much longer to reach operating temperatures than water. I am not sure if Astons have oil temp gauges, if they don't then I would be looking at about 4-5 miles of gentle driving before things get a little brisker.
Modern engines are built to very high standards these days and tested to ensure longevity, I personally wouldn't be too worried.
Chris
Make sure everything is warmed up, not just the water. In my experience, engine oil temps take much longer to reach operating temperatures than water. I am not sure if Astons have oil temp gauges, if they don't then I would be looking at about 4-5 miles of gentle driving before things get a little brisker.
Modern engines are built to very high standards these days and tested to ensure longevity, I personally wouldn't be too worried.
Chris
I'd love to hear some views from engineers on this. I've never heard a very convincing argument either way.
But I would like to know what was best for the engine. If it meant even 2 more horsepower and greater longevity I'd be happy to be patient for 1000 miles or so.
But if labouring the engine (ie driving like a cab driver) is the worst thing the it still suggests high revs is the 2nd worst thing, ie still something to avoid early on.
For mo reason other than mechanical sympathy I've imposed a 5000 rpm limit too and try and extend the car a little mire every time I take it out. To be honest it's no bad thing to take it easy while I learn about the car. Even if the engine doesn't need running in, I think I do!
But I would like to know what was best for the engine. If it meant even 2 more horsepower and greater longevity I'd be happy to be patient for 1000 miles or so.
But if labouring the engine (ie driving like a cab driver) is the worst thing the it still suggests high revs is the 2nd worst thing, ie still something to avoid early on.
For mo reason other than mechanical sympathy I've imposed a 5000 rpm limit too and try and extend the car a little mire every time I take it out. To be honest it's no bad thing to take it easy while I learn about the car. Even if the engine doesn't need running in, I think I do!
Another thing to bear in mind (akin to garage queen comments) is, who are you saving the engine for? The 4th, 5th or 6th owner?
How many owners who buy one of these that still need running in, will have the car in over 6-10 years time or 100k miles. This is when problems "may" appear, or will they ever appear???
How many owners who buy one of these that still need running in, will have the car in over 6-10 years time or 100k miles. This is when problems "may" appear, or will they ever appear???
The Pits said:
I'd love to hear some views from engineers on this. I've never heard a very convincing argument either way.
But I would like to know what was best for the engine. If it meant even 2 more horsepower and greater longevity I'd be happy to be patient for 1000 miles or so.
But if labouring the engine (ie driving like a cab driver) is the worst thing the it still suggests high revs is the 2nd worst thing, ie still something to avoid early on.
For mo reason other than mechanical sympathy I've imposed a 5000 rpm limit too and try and extend the car a little mire every time I take it out. To be honest it's no bad thing to take it easy while I learn about the car. Even if the engine doesn't need running in, I think I do!
I am a powertrain engineer But I would like to know what was best for the engine. If it meant even 2 more horsepower and greater longevity I'd be happy to be patient for 1000 miles or so.
But if labouring the engine (ie driving like a cab driver) is the worst thing the it still suggests high revs is the 2nd worst thing, ie still something to avoid early on.
For mo reason other than mechanical sympathy I've imposed a 5000 rpm limit too and try and extend the car a little mire every time I take it out. To be honest it's no bad thing to take it easy while I learn about the car. Even if the engine doesn't need running in, I think I do!
and we don't know!There are so many reasons why an engine might fail/malfunction and incorrect running in is pretty much impossible to diagnose as a sole contributor. Thrashing the engine from cold is much easier to determine.
Chris
Mako V12V said:
Another thing to bear in mind (akin to garage queen comments) is, who are you saving the engine for? The 4th, 5th or 6th owner?
How many owners who buy one of these that still need running in, will have the car in over 6-10 years time or 100k miles. This is when problems "may" appear, or will they ever appear???
How many owners who buy one of these that still need running in, will have the car in over 6-10 years time or 100k miles. This is when problems "may" appear, or will they ever appear???
I bought mine new and plan to keep it a long time. Even if I didn't plan to keep it, the mechanical sympathy aspect still counts for me.
Mako that's a fairly mercenary line you're taking there! And shooting yourself in the foot somewhat, comments like that can't help your resale value.
I too hope to keep the car for a long time. No one's going to be making 6 litre V12s that much longer, let alone manual ones so there won't be much out there to repace it with if, like me, you like that combination.
I too hope to keep the car for a long time. No one's going to be making 6 litre V12s that much longer, let alone manual ones so there won't be much out there to repace it with if, like me, you like that combination.
The Pits said:
Mako that's a fairly mercenary line you're taking there! And shooting yourself in the foot somewhat, comments like that can't help your resale value.
I too hope to keep the car for a long time. No one's going to be making 6 litre V12s that much longer, let alone manual ones so there won't be much out there to repace it with if, like me, you like that combination.
The Pits, not really, i'm extremely mechanically sympathetic and was told as much by a Porsche pro-driver when at Millbrook in one of their GT3's!I too hope to keep the car for a long time. No one's going to be making 6 litre V12s that much longer, let alone manual ones so there won't be much out there to repace it with if, like me, you like that combination.
I've always followed the warming up procedure mentioned above. Also never set off fast in first to save clutch and tyre wear.
I was just looking at the other extreme point which "may" be taken by some not-so-caring drivers.
ps. I too plan to keep the car for a long time
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