just been given a 11 plate 480 fh12 with 643kms on it first new truck ive ever had,i have a question though do i drive it gently to start with or just hammer it ?
Hammer the bejesus out of it…Seriously. Otherwise she’ll be a slowcoach. 
Yep, run the [ZB] out of it. Have fun!
Drive it like ya stole it, treat it mean an keep it keen… ! 
I had a brand new truck one night shift and in the dark I thought I was pulling the door catch but it was an air vent in the door that got a bit broke. 
My dad would tell you to ‘run it in’, and the handbook might tell you to treat it gently for ‘x’ number of kliks, but these days I don’t think it makes much odds.
If it was mine, I would run it in though… but that’s just me 
ive had around 6 or 7 brand new motors, and every one i caned from the start.
Nail it, weve got one that the driver ■■■■■■ about in and its painful up hill.
When I went on a MAN driving course one of the first thing we were told was to give it some from day one, every engine is taken to the red line just after it has been built to check it is ok so what is the point of taking it easy on it.
I’ve had 12 new wagons and apart from the 1st two, a perkins enginged Dodge Commando and a 2100 Daf I’ve caned em all. Never had a gutless one and never had an oil burner. My last 3 fh’s I caned and they were all flyers. Took about 120,000 kms, nearly a year, to get em properly loosened up though. After that they went better by the day and would say they hit their best about 180,000
nice one guys ive canned it this afternoon and thats what il continue to do n its not a 480 its a 460 i think they changed them from a 12 litre to a 13 from 10 plate onwards ■■
hyper26:
nice one guys ive canned it this afternoon and thats what il continue to do n its not a 480 its a 460 i think they changed them from a 12 litre to a 13 from 10 plate onwards ■■
The 13 has been out for quite a few years. I had one on a 56 plate.
When did you last see a “Running in, please pass” sticker in the back of a car?
Many years ago (before diesel cars) used to work for a Ford main agent, didn’t use to take very long at all to get from Preston to BCA at Measham to collect late model used stock in the salesman’s demonstrators
Used to be all new diesel engine’s were bench run in. Not sure if that’s still the case?
Secret of looking after any engine is don’t cane it 'till its upto working temp, don’t excess idle, & if turbo’d don’t switch off immediately if turbo has been working.
I am currently driving an FH13 460bhp on an 11 plate. Who do you drive for?
With older engines you could do more damage by labouring a brand new engine than anything else save running it out of oil, but that was because you put too much fuel in the cylinders and it escaped past the rings and diluted your oil causing premature bearing wear, modern electronic fuels systems should prevent this, but best be on the safe side and cane it to within an inch of its life
I got one of three brand new F12s, all three of us set off to Italy for their first run, two of us had 24ton of lead in the trailers, the other bloke had a light load, we all ran together and the motor that had the light load wouldn’t pull a greasy stick out of a dog’s arse 
Keep an eye on the turbo gauge!!! My Fh13 460EEV slowed down after 6 months from new and the exhause had collapsed, causing the turbo to be unable to spin up as it couldn’t expel gasses quick enough. We have 2 that have done this, both 60 plates.
Its a very quick and simple fix… but costs £4000. Also there is a valve on the turbo that seizes causing no turbo boost whatsoever. I’m not too chuffed that in under a year from new she’s been into Volvo 3 times for turbo related issues.
Actually i couldn’t care as its not MY truck… but if it was my truck i’d be very upset!!!
Gaz:
Actually i couldn’t care as its not MY truck…
Unfortunately that is an all too common attitude from employed drivers these days. 
Driveroneuk:
Gaz:
Actually i couldn’t care as its not MY truck…Unfortunately that is an all too common attitude from employed drivers these days.
Well unfortunatly as with most Employed drivers we’re not allowed to touch them mechanically anyway so what caould i do!
Anybody who knows me on here will tell you i look after my vehicle, keep it immaculate inside and out, im loyal to my company and treat their truck with respect. I was merely pointing out that a breakdown had no real consequence for me, financially or otherwise.
But thanks for your opinion anyway!
Just took charge of the same , drive it as you would normally, nowadays, taking it steady doesnt really have much benefit. Infact, as has been said can have the opposite effect. Wouldnt thrash it to death, just normal driving .
slow2run:
I am currently driving an FH13 460bhp on an 11 plate. Who do you drive for?
clarke transport out of ossett fella u?
hyper26:
clarke transport out of ossett fella u?
You have my deepest sympathy.
Ken.