How long should you wait before taking a new car on the highway?
2 Answers
A new car can be taken on the highway at any time, as long as you avoid running the engine at excessively high RPMs during the drive. Below are some precautions for taking a new car on the highway: Avoid excessively high RPMs: New cars have a break-in period after purchase. During this period, the car can be driven on the highway, but you should avoid running the engine at excessively high RPMs. Running the engine at high RPMs during the break-in period can increase engine wear. After the break-in period, it is recommended to take the car on the highway to enhance engine performance. Post-break-in inspection: After the initial break-in period, the components of the new car's engine begin to operate more smoothly. Taking the car on the highway and maintaining high RPMs for a period of time can help test the engine's performance under extreme conditions, expanding the components' tolerance for tensile, compressive, impact, and torsional stresses.
I remember specifically asking the technician at the 4S dealership when I picked up my new car. He said nowadays cars undergo cold break-in at the factory, but it's still better to drive gently for the first 500 kilometers. Once you reach around 800 kilometers, the engine pistons and cylinder walls will be properly broken in, making highway driving much safer. I once took my new car on the highway just three days after purchase and noticed significantly higher fuel consumption—later realizing it was due to incomplete break-in. I'd suggest waiting at least a week and completing the first few hundred kilometers of daily driving before the initial maintenance, allowing the transmission gears to fully mesh. During this period, avoid sudden acceleration and keep RPMs below 3,000—this is particularly important for extending engine lifespan.
