Tdi /dsg

[plk1162]

Hi I have read lots of good info here on breaking in the TDI.
How should I use the DSG during this time. I read somewhere just to use the auto and let the computer take care of things.
Thanks
Pegger

[dunno513]

There are many theories on this, but many agree with the basics.

1. Don't baby your engine, just wait till its warmed up.

2. Give it some juice now and again to keep the turbo vanes cleaned up, and the soot level down

Enjoy.

I don't recommend pushing 4k early on, I don't like going much over 3.5k. I find 75 on the highway puts me at a nice 2.5k in 6th, and a nice load on the engine to do what it needs to seat rings and so forth.

And remember, the DSG is a computer controled manual tranny. (for basic level understanding) It take a second for the clutch(one of them anyways) to engage after you let your foot off of the brake. Be careful about hammering the pedal from a dead start.

As for the gears, I use D for regular driving and S for a little more spirited driving. I would say that the S mode may help you out if you have a lot of stop and go driving during break in. IMHO

For those with way too much time go to tdiclub and read drivebywire's post on this. It will give you the gist. Happy Trails.

[Whitacre]

Yes DBW's post is what i followed.

Basically its just like

No cruise control for 5k miles. If you MUST use it, try after 1k miles. This way you keep a constant change on the engine speed. If you keep it at any one speed it could create some problems down the road. Thats why you need to rev it up to about 3.8k when its all good and warm. Try (on highways) going 65 to 75 and then coasting down to 60 and back up to 65. Do it when its safe to do that of course. But city driving will be the best thing for your car for the first 1k miles, after that a long road trip would be sweet!

When you first start the engine and its cold (blue temp light is on) dont rev over 2.8k but when the engine is warm go up to 3.8k. After 1k miles you can use the full rev range up to 4600 or whatever it is.
Use a heavy foot to seat the rings. If you baby the eingine it wont do this properly...so drive it like its meant to be drivin...dont worry about damaging the engine if you drive it hard, through mountains, whatever. Only worry about that when the engine is cold, and remember when the blue light goes off, it doesnt mean its ready for full revving and everything. Some argue when the best time its warmed up, because diesels take longer to warm up in general. Some say 10 miles of driving, and i follow that.

And another good thing to do is start right away with a powerservice additive. It will help boost the cetane and keep things clean. Its how dirty diesel gets clean.
It will also cut down on soot and whatnot. I have used it since my first tank and continue to use it.

Congrats on getting a TDi with DSG. Amazing technology and everyday i still fall in love with my car.

And one more thing. Dont be down if you dont pass 50MPG on your first few tanks, especially in city. For one PD engines take a little extra slow driving to reach something like that without mods, two, diesels take longer to break in unlike gas engines. Your engine will be breaking in well up to 50k miles. Doesnt mean you cant run the holy hell out of it after about 5k miles, but as far as fuel efficiency goes, you wont peak out until around there. I have had my car coming up on three months to the day. I have already achieved 47MPG and i have over 8800 miles on my car. Road trips are where these cars shine!