Do Cars Still Need a Break-in Period Nowadays?
2 Answers
Nowadays, cars still require a break-in period. During the initial break-in phase (0 to 500 km), it's recommended not to exceed 60 km/h. The mid-term break-in period (500 to 1000 km) allows for slightly higher speeds up to 90-100 km/h, while keeping engine RPM below 2000. The final break-in stage (1000 to 1500 km) permits speeds up to 120 km/h. Most new vehicles undergo cold break-in before leaving the factory, where the engine is run on a specialized machine tool driven by an electric motor. This process removes most burrs from components. Since the engine isn't actually operating during cold break-in (no fuel combustion or high temperatures), it's referred to as cold break-in.
Do new cars still need a break-in period? Experienced drivers will tell you that older car engines were less precisely manufactured, requiring a break-in of 1,000–2,000 km to avoid high-speed operation and prevent cylinder scoring. However, with technological advancements, modern engines undergo pre-break-in testing before leaving the factory, and materials have also been upgraded, making strict break-in periods no longer mandatory. Still, many manuals recommend avoiding hard acceleration or heavy loads for the first 500 km or so, as new components need time to settle in—this helps extend engine life and improve fuel efficiency. At the repair shop, I often see new cars that ignored this advice developing minor early issues like vibration or slightly higher fuel consumption, though these rarely affect safety. Overall, following the manual is the safest bet, saving you some repair costs down the line.
