I recognize that there is a break-in preiod, however I have heard 1000km to 3500 kms. What is the best number of km before I can start to really drive the car. As well, how beneficial for the engine is it if the majority of these are highway?

 

Its like until 600 miles
*dont floor it
*dont achieve high engine rpm's
*and dont got more than 3/4's the top speed of the car like 90

Until 1000 miles
*inc speed slowly
*avoid high engine rpm's when possible (as much as possible)

*********the longer you do these things, the longer and better car will treat you in the long run.....

So pretty much, the better the break-in of the engine you do, the better and longer the car will last

**********If you dont believe me look in ur owners manuel theres a whole section on engine break-in (read up) that will tell you the exact numbers ur looking for, mine might be a little off.....

 

The break in period is all covered in your Owners manual.

 

My manual for my new 2007 A4 says"ask your dealer about engine break in". I'll have to poke around a little more.

Edited-I found the page for the break in process. I think it was the service manual that I seen the ask your dealer statement.

 

I took mine easy for the first 1500 miles, tried not reaching rpm above 4k and never at the same rpm for long period of time

 

I've heard to go easy for the first 500 miles while the car's seals, gaskets, bolts, etc. are settling their way into the proper fit.
For the next 500 miles you need to push the car internittently to do 2 things:

1. Make sure there are no early problems that will cause you a headache down the road
2. Help the ECU adapt to a little bit more of an aggressive driving style instead of sticking you in granny-ville and then choking when you hammer it.

None of this, by the way, is backed up with any technical knowledge at all.