How many kilometers can a new car drive on the highway?
2 Answers
A new car can be driven on the highway at any time, just avoid running the engine at excessively high RPMs during the journey. New cars have a break-in period after purchase, during which they can be driven on highways as long as the engine is not operated 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 drive the car at high speeds to enhance engine performance. This is because, after the initial break-in, the components of the engine operate more smoothly together. Driving at high speeds for a period allows testing of the engine's performance under extreme conditions and expands the tolerance limits of the components in terms of tensile, compressive, impact, and torsional resistance.
When I first got my new car, I also struggled with this issue. Now, after driving it for five years, I finally figured it out. The key is actually the break-in period, which varies for different cars, but it's generally recommended to drive 1,000-2,000 kilometers before hitting the highway for safety. My German car wasn't taken on long trips until after 2,000 kilometers, and for the first two months, I just drove it slowly in the city. You see, a new car's engine is like a young lad—running it at 120 km/h on the highway right away can strain it, so keeping the RPM below 3,000 is safest. Before taking the highway, always check tire pressure and the oil dipstick, and make sure the spare tire is properly inflated. A friend of mine once overlooked this and ended up waiting two hours at a service area. New cars these days are indeed built tough, but playing it safe never hurts—after all, repair costs are way more expensive than the time you save.
