After some new car/driver advice

SamY · Post by **SamY** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:58 pm

Woohoo, after three and a half months, I've been told I should be able to pick up my polo very soon.

Are there any things I should try to do with it being a new car? I remember reading somewhere that its best to be gentle with a new engine. Does that mean avoid high rpms? and/or being extra gentle with clutch.

Any pearls of wisdom for a new driver would be welcome too since I only passed the test last November.

Gra-GT · Post by **Gra-GT** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:30 pm

Nice one mate. Which model you having?

When you 1st get a new car you need to "run it in". According to the manual it says you should go above 3/4 of the cars max power for the 1st 1000 miles or so. Basically dont thrape the **** (depending on the engine dont go over about 3500 rpm or 80mph) out of it till youve done about 1000-1500 miles. Its all in the handbook anyway.

Also seeing as your a new driver (guessing your young, bout 17 or 18 ish maybe) dont be supprised if your pulled over by your friendly neighbourhood copper, as a young driver in a new car they sometimes think its nicked

carmadaaron · Post by **carmadaaron** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:50 pm

Gra-GT wrote:Nice one mate. Which model you having?

When you 1st get a new car you need to "run it in". According to the manual it says you should go above 3/4 of the cars max power for the 1st 1000 miles or so. Basically dont thrape the **** (depending on the engine dont go over about 3500 rpm or 80mph) out of it till youve done about 1000-1500 miles. Its all in the handbook anyway.

Also seeing as your a new driver (guessing your young, bout 17 or 18 ish maybe) dont be supprised if your pulled over by your friendly neighbourhood copper, as a young driver in a new car they sometimes think its nicked

ye i followed the handbook, did bout 1500 then trashed the thing, fun

SamY · Post by **SamY** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:53 pm

ta for the advice, I'll have to spend some quality time with the handbook.

Its a Twist 1.4 TDi. Just waiting for the phone call to say I can pick it up.

And Im 29

, I've left it till now because I used to live in central London - and it never seemed worthwhile, with the traffic, and having the tube/buses on the doorstep.

Well another lesson Im learning, take estimated delivery dates from VW dealers with a massive pinch of salt.. First it was middle of Jan, then end of Jan, then Beginning of Feb. Then it was Last Friday, and then Today definately. Now it looks like it came into the UK on Friday, but still hasnt been delivered to the dealer. The phone call I just had was quite funny though, the sales guy ( a nice guy but I wish he would hurry up with my car ) thought he had misplaced my insurance certificate - need for registration, so I reminded him that he placed it in the lower tray of his paper tray thing on his left hand side.

Vitorino · Post by **Vitorino** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:31 pm

Don't worry only avoid high rpms at low temperature of the engine. And also avoid extremely low rpms always they are critical for some parts for the vibrations produceds.
You will see two red lines in the speedmeter, if you never exceed these marks you will take real care of your engine, but it doesn't matter if you exceed a little or sometime more. VAG TDI's are good. If you take care of the filters, the level of the oil (and his quality). If you drive quite sporty you would note that the engine needs oil (1 litre per 10000 Km).

carmadaaron · Post by **carmadaaron** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:34 pm

SamY wrote: ta for the advice, I'll have to spend some quality time with the handbook.

Its a Twist 1.4 TDi. Just waiting for the phone call to say I can pick it up.

And Im 29 , I've left it till now because I used to live in central London - and it never seemed worthwhile, with the traffic, and having the tube/buses on the doorstep.

Well another lesson Im learning, take estimated delivery dates from VW dealers with a massive pinch of salt.. First it was middle of Jan, then end of Jan, then Beginning of Feb. Then it was Last Friday, and then Today definately. Now it looks like it came into the UK on Friday, but still hasnt been delivered to the dealer. The phone call I just had was quite funny though, the sales guy ( a nice guy but I wish he would hurry up with my car ) thought he had misplaced my insurance certificate - need for registration, so I reminded him that he placed it in the lower tray of his paper tray thing on his left hand side.

sounds like the dealer is playing with you,

they shuld know exactly where the car is,
my dealer phoned me before it went onto the ferry, on the ferry and in Newcastle dock.

once its in UK, about 7 days time, u will be in the driving seat, on the road

dougmac · Post by **dougmac** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:03 pm

If the dealer should now exactly where the car is I wish someone could help out Inchcape Bridgnorth on my behalf.

Still waiting over 4 month's for my GT, they have been very vague since
day one. They told me that after it's built they cannot trace it. Was given build week of 48 last year and by all accounts it is now at the docks with a damaged steering wheel. Cannot leave the docks until replacement turns up. That was over 2 weeks ago so very fed up with it all.

SamY · Post by **SamY** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:29 am

Vitorino wrote:Don't worry only avoid high rpms at low temperature of the engine. And also avoid extremely low rpms always they are critical for some parts for the vibrations produceds.
You will see two red lines in the speedmeter, if you never exceed these marks you will take real care of your engine, but it doesn't matter if you exceed a little or sometime more. VAG TDI's are good. If you take care of the filters, the level of the oil (and his quality). If you drive quite sporty you would note that the engine needs oil (1 litre per 10000 Km).

Thanks!

Not sure how to avoid low rpms, because when you idle, you cant really avoid it. Do you mean try to avoid moving slowing in a high gear?

I doubt I'll be getting into high revs until Im completely comfortable with driving, just the noise scares me a little

SamY · Post by **SamY** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:37 am

dougmac wrote:If the dealer should now exactly where the car is I wish someone could help out Inchcape Bridgnorth on my behalf.

Still waiting over 4 month's for my GT, they have been very vague since
day one. They told me that after it's built they cannot trace it. Was given build week of 48 last year and by all accounts it is now at the docks with a damaged steering wheel. Cannot leave the docks until replacement turns up. That was over 2 weeks ago so very fed up with it all.

Thats unlucky mate

Sounds like your having a rougher ride than me waiting for your new car. I hope they sort you out soon! Its a bit concerning that the steering wheel has been damaged

, do you know what caused the damage?

The story I got was that they only get updates when the order gets a build date, another when it reaches the shores where it gets a reg plate assigned. Then they cant track it until it is delivered to the dealer. And after delivery to the dealer, they still need to send of the v(something) form with your insurance certificate to the dvla to register it and get the tax disc - another day or so after that before you can pick the car up

.

SamY · Post by **SamY** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:40 am

carmadaaron wrote:
sounds like the dealer is playing with you,

they shuld know exactly where the car is,
my dealer phoned me before it went onto the ferry, on the ferry and in Newcastle dock.

once its in UK, about 7 days time, u will be in the driving seat, on the road

Sounds like you dealt with a decent dealer who bothers to keep you informed. I've had to chase up for each bit of information.

I know its just a matter of time before Im behind the wheel

, but three months is a long time to be without a car after passing me test.

dougmac · Post by **dougmac** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:11 am

SamY wrote:Thats unlucky mate Sounds like your having a rougher ride than me waiting for your new car. I hope they sort you out soon! Its a bit concerning that the steering wheel has been damaged , do you know what caused the damage?

The story I got was that they only get updates when the order gets a build date, another when it reaches the shores where it gets a reg plate assigned. Then they cant track it until it is delivered to the dealer. And after delivery to the dealer, they still need to send of the v(something) form with your insurance certificate to the dvla to register it and get the tax disc - another day or so after that before you can pick the car up .

That's just about the same story I got from the sales guy. VW customer services can help to trace the order if you give them the commission number when the car was ordered.

Did not mention how it was damaged, just that VW would not let the dealer replace it with the one from the model in the showroom.

carmadaaron · Post by **carmadaaron** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:35 am

SamY wrote:
carmadaaron wrote:
sounds like the dealer is playing with you,

they shuld know exactly where the car is,
my dealer phoned me before it went onto the ferry, on the ferry and in Newcastle dock.

once its in UK, about 7 days time, u will be in the driving seat, on the road
Sounds like you dealt with a decent dealer who bothers to keep you informed. I've had to chase up for each bit of information.

I know its just a matter of time before Im behind the wheel , but three months is a long time to be without a car after passing me test.

dealer is fair i reckon, but i specificly TOLD him that i wanted to know where my car was (and at what stage of delivery)

did u?

cheers
Aaron

SamY · Post by **SamY** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:50 am

carmadaaron wrote:
dealer is fair i reckon, but i specificly TOLD him that i wanted to know where my car was (and at what stage of delivery)

did u?

cheers
Aaron

Of course!

I've been phoning him every couple of weeks since I placed the order too. Oh well, I've waited three months already, a few more days wont hurt. Next task - getting the guy who keeps his 4x4 in my parking space to stop it.

Vitorino · Post by **Vitorino** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 8:42 pm

Drive between 1800 and 3000 rpms when the engine is cold.
When I said that you must avoid low revs I wanted to say tha don't drive during some min driving in some gear between 1000 and 1500.
That things are driving habits from my grandparents or the maniacs that think that they are saving money in fuel.

SamY · Post by **SamY** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:56 pm

Vitorino wrote:Drive between 1800 and 3000 rpms when the engine is cold.
When I said that you must avoid low revs I wanted to say tha don't drive during some min driving in some gear between 1000 and 1500.
That things are driving habits from my grandparents or the maniacs that think that they are saving money in fuel.

Ah okay.. still not to clear on the low revs thing, but I think you mean dont push the engine too much in high gears at low speed, like close to stalling. I'll try my best to keep the revs in the sweet spot between 1800 and 3000.