I have new Punto, and I decide to follow owner handbook, not http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm , but manual says "We recommend that the initial period you do not drive to full vehicle performance", and nothing about duration of "inital period", and precise description of "full performance". What you suggest, how to brake-in? Thnx.

Well as it says you need to do it in the first 20 miles. What was your milage when you picked up the car, how long do you think your car has had its engine running since it was assembled.

I think that by the time you recieve even a delivery milage car it will have gone beyond this blokes suggested settling in period!

2003 3 Door Stilo 1.2 Active, Sassy Grey, 5 disc CD Changer, plastic wheel trims - and 41.7mpg average so far. Love it, Oh yes!

It's less of an issue on modern cars but still you should practice running-in a car in it's first 1000 miles I reckon. Basically don't tax the engine to the max by either flooring the throttle or going for very high speeds. Instead gradually increase the strain you place on the car over this mileage period. This is just good motoring practice as much as anything.

Spirito di Punto | M-reg 55SX, black, 5dr. Clear repeaters. Remote locking fitted, no light confirmation yet though - need relay fitted

yeah i seem to remember someone saying(in ye olde times:I) running in for approx 3000 miles but as pritch says its less of an issue with modern engines but no harm in taking it easy with the 1st 1000 miles

Custard boy the man who loves the man from Creative

just had a good read of the article and this guy is talking about engine re-builds and outright performance ,for me if i bought a brand new car i wouldnt be ragging the tits of it out of the dealers forecourt and i dont think many others would so its a moot point as you would be past the 20 mile mark before you're gonna rag it

Custard boy the man who loves the man from Creative

first 20 miles you say

well delivery mileage is around 10-20 miles yeah?

how well do you really think your car has been driven over those miles?

fair point,i live opposite a VW garage and you should see them whip those new cars of the transporter[:0]

Custard boy the man who loves the man from Creative

forget the transporter, what about off of the ship that carries them from wherever they were built, had a m8 who used to do this, its a matter of

'off the ship, b*ll*ck along harbor, park, into minibus, back to ship'

[:0][xx(][:0]

I get it with 0.2 miles, and drive it slowly for about 200 miles. Clio owners book says that first 2000miles must be below 3k rpm?! In my (Punto) owners book writes that first oil change (first service) is at 20.000km, but I think that too long, and it will be better to change it at 1000km because of garbage that motor produce at runing-in period.

yeah i would think you would want to get that production 'swarf' out of there just like using a flushing oil after doing a re-build

Custard boy the man who loves the man from Creative