How Long is the Break-in Period for a Vehicle?
1 Answers
The break-in period for a new vehicle is generally 1,000 to 3,000 kilometers. Purpose of the break-in period: The break-in period primarily allows the various components of the vehicle to fully contact, frictionally adapt, and settle into their optimal positions. During this period, the vehicle's parts enhance their ability to adapt to operational conditions, and any surface irregularities on the components are smoothed out through contact. Precautions during the break-in period: Avoid full load. The vehicle's load during the break-in period should not exceed 75% of its rated capacity. Maintain smooth starts and avoid sudden acceleration. Since the components are still in the break-in phase, excessive loads and high speeds can intensify impact forces on the parts, potentially causing damage rather than reducing surface roughness. Shift gears promptly while driving. Avoid prolonged use of a single gear. Start in a low gear and gradually shift to higher gears for progressive driving. Avoid scenarios like high speed in low gear or low speed in high gear to ensure even wear on transmission components such as gears and shafts. Choose smooth roads to minimize excessive vibration, collisions, or emergency braking. Control your speed carefully, ideally maintaining it between 50-80 km/h. Avoid long-distance trips. Extended driving during the break-in period increases continuous engine operation time, accelerating component wear. Do not change the oil prematurely. Follow the manufacturer's recommended oil change schedule for the break-in period. Always warm up the engine before driving. Ensure the coolant temperature reaches at least 40°C. Warming up allows sufficient lubrication time, especially for turbocharged models, which require at least one minute of warm-up before driving.
