Can a New Car Be Driven on the Highway During the Break-in Period?
3 Answers
New cars can absolutely be driven on the highway during the break-in period, as long as other operational guidelines are followed. There is no need to worry about highway driving causing any harm to a new car. Most new cars undergo "cold break-in" before leaving the factory, where the engine is mounted on a specialized machine and run by an electric motor to smooth out any rough edges on the components. Here are some key points to note when driving a new car during the break-in period: 1. Currently, the maximum speed limit on highways is 120 km/h, but the most critical factor during the break-in period is adhering to the engine's RPM limits. 2. Generally, when the speed reaches 120 km/h, the RPM should not exceed 3000. Experienced drivers will notice that even without reaching 3000 RPM, the vehicle can already achieve the highway's maximum speed limit.
When I bought my new car, I specifically asked the experienced technician at the 4S dealership. He said it's perfectly fine to drive on the highway during the break-in period, but there are methods to follow. Last month, I just picked up my new SUV and drove 400 kilometers on the highway back to my hometown. The key is not to exceed 100 km/h and keep the RPM below 3000. Also, make sure to pull into a service area every hour to let the engine rest. Now, the gear shifts are incredibly smooth, and the fuel consumption has even decreased slightly. In fact, new car parts need gradual break-in, and maintaining a steady speed is actually better than stop-and-go city driving. Just remember to avoid full loads and steep climbs, as the transmission is most delicate during this period.
Just experienced this last week—I took my brand-new car for a short highway trip. Did my homework beforehand: maintained a steady speed of 80-100 km/h, avoiding sudden braking or acceleration at all costs. Tire pressure must be adjusted to the standard value, or uneven wear could become a headache. The odometer shows only 800 km so far, but the throttle response feels noticeably sharper. A key point for automatics: never shift into Sport (S) mode, while manuals require frequent gear changes. Running the A/C the whole time is fine as long as oil temperature stays stable at 90°C—that's the safe zone.
