Can a New Car Be Driven on the Highway?
4 Answers
New cars can be driven on the highway, but there are 4 precautions to keep in mind: 1. Do not blindly drive at high speeds on the highway. The first batch of engine oil contains many metal particles, and accelerating recklessly on the highway can increase internal engine wear. 2. The engine speed should not be too high and should be kept within 3,000 to 4,000 RPM. A newly purchased car requires a break-in period, and if the speed exceeds 4,000 RPM initially, it can cause damage to the car. 3. Avoid driving on the highway for extended periods. Continuous high-load operation of the engine can easily lead to increased wear on mechanical parts. For a new car, prolonged highway driving means high-load operation for the engine. 4. For automatic transmission cars, switch to manual mode to flexibly adjust the car's speed and reduce wear and tear.
I've driven several brand-new cars directly onto the highway, and in fact, new cars can definitely run on highways. However, it's important to note that a newly purchased car is still in the break-in period, and the engine needs time to gradually adapt. In the first few days after picking up the car, I keep the speed between 80 to 100 kilometers per hour, avoiding sudden acceleration and hard braking as much as possible. It's also a good idea to have a tire pressure gauge and an air pump in the car, as new tires can experience pressure fluctuations during initial use. One weekend, right after picking up a new car, I drove 300 kilometers on the highway, maintaining a steady speed throughout and deliberately avoiding peak traffic hours. Now, the car has 20,000 kilometers on it and is still in excellent condition. The key is to give the new car some time to adapt.
Driving a new car on the highway is completely fine nowadays, as car manufacturing technology has improved significantly compared to twenty years ago. On the day I picked up the car, I drove it directly onto the highway to return to my hometown, but I made sure to let the car adapt gradually. For the first 500 kilometers, I kept the speed below 100 km/h and the engine RPM under 3000. I also paid close attention to the coolant temperature gauge to ensure the engine temperature remained stable—the high wind resistance on the highway actually helps with cooling a new car. During a rest stop at a service area, I checked the tire pressure and the chassis, as factory-installed bolts might need a second tightening. After the break-in period, the car can be used normally.
Of course you can take it on the highway! I drove my new car on the highway the second day I got it. Nowadays, with mature technology, new cars don't require too much special treatment. In fact, highway driving is good for the car, as running at a constant speed allows for more even engine break-in. I just set the cruise control at 90 km/h and avoided rush hours to reduce frequent starts and stops. Remember to check the tire conditions in advance, as new tires sometimes have minor imbalances. While driving, keep an eye on the dashboard for water temperature and oil pressure—the most common issues with new cars are actually with the supporting equipment. Now my car has safely covered over 30,000 kilometers.
