Can a New Car Be Driven on Long-Distance Highways?
2 Answers
New cars can be driven on long-distance highways. Below are some precautions for driving a new car on highways: Loading Too Light or Too Heavy: When driving on highways, a new car must be in a fully loaded state. Therefore, ensure the vehicle is loaded according to the full-load mass specified in the manual. If you can't find enough passengers, you can fill the trunk with items. Driving on Highways Before the First Maintenance: It is essential to complete the first maintenance before taking a new car on highways. After the first maintenance, potential issues such as bolt torque and fluid levels are checked and resolved, ensuring greater safety. Driving on Highways Before an Oil Change: High-speed driving requires not only skill but also proper timing. The quality of the engine oil is a direct factor affecting the engine. Therefore, avoid driving on highways before an oil change. During high-speed driving, the engine operates at high RPMs, leading to maximum mechanical wear. The first batch of oil contains the most metal shavings and impurities. Using this contaminated oil for high-speed driving can significantly increase engine wear and even cause abnormal damage.
It's absolutely feasible to take a new car on a long-distance highway trip. I drove hundreds of kilometers on the highway right after picking up my new car, and it felt very smooth. New cars require attention during the break-in period. Although modern engines don’t suffer as much wear, it’s best to avoid sudden acceleration and hard braking for the first 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers, maintaining a steady speed to allow parts to break in better. Highway driving can actually be beneficial because constant speed helps the engine heat evenly and allows you to test the car’s performance. However, always check tire pressure, oil, and coolant levels before the trip—I usually spend ten minutes at a gas station for a quick inspection. During long trips, keep the speed under 120 km/h to prevent excessive wear on new tires. After returning, remember to get the first maintenance service to check the brakes and filters, which helps prolong the car’s lifespan. An occasional long trip isn’t a big issue—I’ve done it several times without any problems.
