Does a Newly Purchased Car Need to Go on the Highway?
2 Answers
Newly purchased cars do need to go on the highway, but it's important to note that the car requires a certain break-in period, with the first 1,000 kilometers being particularly crucial. Firstly, the load on the car should not be too heavy. For example, having all five seats occupied and the trunk fully packed with luggage would constitute an excessive load. This can lead to premature and abnormal wear on the engine, which is detrimental to the break-in process. In severe cases, it may even cause abnormal vibrations in the engine and transmission. Driving a new car on the highway helps to clear carbon deposits from the engine because, during the break-in period, prolonged slow-speed driving can easily lead to carbon buildup in the engine. This advice is not only applicable to new cars but also to vehicles frequently driven in congested areas. If you don't have the time or opportunity to drive on the highway, you can adopt a high-rev driving style on city roads to reduce the formation of carbon deposits.
I also struggled with this after getting my new car last year. The first 1,000 kilometers are considered the golden run-in period. Although manufacturing precision has improved nowadays, it's still better to take it easy on the highway. Both the transmission gears and engine need a smooth break-in period. It's recommended not to continuously drive at 120km/h for more than two hours within the first 500 kilometers. However, occasional short highway trips are completely fine and can even help test the vehicle's stability. Pay attention to the temperature display on the dashboard - new brake pads need an adaptation period, so it's best to test the braking force in advance on the ramp. Personally, I didn't start doing long-distance driving until after the first maintenance service, as safety always comes first.
