Can a brand-new car be driven on the highway?
4 Answers
Yes, but since the car is in the break-in period, avoid aggressive acceleration and braking. Here are some precautions during the break-in period: 1. Try to avoid emergency braking: Emergency braking not only shocks the braking system during the break-in period but also increases the impact load on the chassis and engine. It is best to avoid emergency braking within the first 300 kilometers of driving. 2. Avoid overloading: If a new car is overloaded during the break-in period, it can cause damage to the components. Therefore, within the first 1,000 kilometers of driving, the load should generally not exceed 75%-80% of the rated capacity. 3. Driving on the highway: If a new car is driven long distances during the break-in period, the engine's continuous working time will increase, which can lead to component wear. It is recommended to maintain a speed of 120 km/h with the engine RPM not exceeding 3,000. If the RPM exceeds 3,000, consider reducing the speed to keep it at 3,000 RPM. During long-distance driving, take breaks at service areas for about ten minutes.
Last time when I helped my younger brother pick up his new car, I specifically asked the veteran technician at the 4S dealership. They said driving a new car on highways is fine, but there are proper methods to follow. The first 500 kilometers are most critical, as the internal engine components are still breaking in with each other. Avoid maintaining a fixed RPM for extended periods during cruise control—slightly adjust the speed every half hour to fluctuate between 80-110 km/h. Gradually ease into full-load uphill climbs and avoid aggressive throttle bursts to allow gentle contact between transmission gear surfaces. As for the AC, don’t blast maximum cooling right after starting—let the engine adapt to basic load first. Remember to adjust tire pressure to the door frame label value before departure, and note that new tires have mold release agents, so braking distance may be slightly longer for the first few dozen kilometers. I always stop at rest areas every two hours to let the engine cool down for ten minutes before continuing. Now his car has run 60,000 kilometers without any issues.
I drove on the highway back to my hometown on the very day I changed my car last year, covering 300 kilometers without any issues. Nowadays, new cars undergo cold running-in before leaving the factory, and the manual clearly states to avoid aggressive driving like sudden acceleration or braking—normal cruising is actually good for the engine. The key is to avoid racing or lugging the engine during the first 1,000 kilometers, keeping the RPM within a reasonable range. Take it easy on the throttle when the oil temperature hasn’t risen yet, and most importantly, monitor the oil condition—it’s best not to drive continuously for more than eight hours before the first service. On my way back, I stopped at service areas every 150 kilometers to check tire temperature and brake discs, and before exiting the highway, I deliberately tested progressive braking a few times to break in the brake discs. The onboard computer showed a fuel consumption of 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers, which was even more economical than later city driving.
The year I got my license, my dad bought me a brand-new car and immediately took me on the highway to teach me cruise control. The salesperson mentioned that modern engines are precise enough, so break-in requirements are much more relaxed now. However, three details should be noted: avoid exceeding 70% of the manual's load limit as the new suspension needs time to adapt; driving at 100 km/h actually conditions the engine better than 60 km/h; and brake pads only reach 70% efficiency for the first 300 kilometers. Back then, following an experienced driver's advice, I maintained a variable speed between 80-100 km/h, split the three-hour journey into four segments, and let the engine idle for three minutes before shutting it off to cool down. Looking back, being gentle with a new car was indeed necessary—my car still runs like new even after 100,000 kilometers.
