Running-in a new diesel car before towing

TomL
TomL Forum Participant Posts: 763
edited April 2022 in Towcars & Towing #1

I'm due to pick up a new Skoda Karoq 2 litre diesel car later this week  but I also have a holiday booked, starting the second week in May. I have a Swift Sprite Alpine 2 caravan and I have nearly 40 years of towing experience.

Do modern car engines still need to be "run-in" before towing or should I just take it very carefully for up to the first 1000 miles?

Obviously, I haven't seen the new car owner's manual yet but what advice do other members give?

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2022 #2

    When we b ought our Kia it was advised not to tow for the first1200 miles?

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2022 #3
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2022 #4

    I'd check the handbook. I recall my Yeti said 1,000Km before towing. I just about managed to do this before the maiden tow that was about 650 miles. It had used 1/4 of oil when I topped it up. In the 5 years of ownership the car used less than 1/2 litre in total. 

     

    Colin

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2022 #5

    Our last X Trail  the advice was 400 miles before towing. We were actually on holiday when the car became available and drove back home to pick it up. Then did several long day trips to put on the miles before towing. You could do similar before your holiday, although the current fuel price will make it an expensive exercise.

    There is alsothis thread on the subject.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2022 #6

    If you've not got the handbook, download a copy.

  • winni1974
    winni1974 Forum Participant Posts: 52
    edited April 2022 #7

    I once read a few years back about about a guy that bought a brand new Ford Kuga and was advised by the dealer not to tow until he had done at least 500 miles but recommended 1000 miles however because the car was delivered late the buy didnt have chance to do this because a few days after getting the car he was going to France with the caravan he set off from Peterborough i think however after an hour of driving the car went into limp mode now i carnt remember if it was diesel or petrol or if it was manual or automatic.

    just to to add when we collected my wifes Focus last year they said to keep the revs down for the first 200 or so miles 

  • winni1974
    winni1974 Forum Participant Posts: 52
    edited April 2022 #8

    https://digital-manual.skoda-auto.com/w/en_GB/show/94888db349a44fe1bff9a449411991a2_9_en_GB?ct=94888db349a44fe1bff9a449411991a2_9_en_GB#titled614857e5443

    try the link above which should take you to the cars manual and says avoid using a trailer for the first 1000 miles 

     

  • kentman
    kentman Forum Participant Posts: 147
    edited April 2022 #9

    Can't remember exactly how many miles it specifies but the handbook for my 2020 Volvo XC90 mild diesel hybrid says not to tow immediately. As someone else says, check the towing section of your handbook.

  • TomL
    TomL Forum Participant Posts: 763
    edited April 2022 #10

    Thanks everyone for your useful replies. I've now got the new car and the owner's manual advises no towing before 1000km. I've also managed to put back the planned holiday for one week which will give me more time to get some more miles on the clock and experience in handling the car.

  • DS3
    DS3 Forum Participant Posts: 108
    edited June 2022 #11

    With my Ssangyong Rexton W the dealer said it would be fine to tow straight away. After towing our twin axle caravan with the car fully laden to the Lake district the morning after picking the car up, and two weeks later towing home, I read the owners manual and it said to drive the car 1,000 miles before towing. That car was the most reliable car I have ever owned and did 75,000 miles without a single fault. They really don't need to be run in these days.

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