How many kilometers does a new car's CVT transmission need for the break-in period?
2 Answers
New car CVT transmissions require a break-in period of 5,000 kilometers. During the automatic break-in period for CVT transmissions, it is necessary to accelerate slowly and maintain a maximum speed not exceeding 90 kilometers per hour. When starting the engine of a new car, special attention should be paid to warming up. Owners should wait until the coolant temperature gauge needle moves and the idle speed on the tachometer decreases before driving. During the break-in period, engine oil gradually forms a protective film between engine components, reducing dry friction and wear on the crankshaft and cylinder walls. It is advisable to avoid driving at full load during the break-in period, as excessive load increases stress on both the engine and transmission, leading to higher engine output power and causing excessive wear on mechanical parts.
I just picked up a CVT car last year and specifically asked the 4S shop technician about the break-in period. The transmission generally needs to be driven gently for about 1,600 kilometers, with the first 500 kilometers being the most critical. During this time, avoid stomping on the accelerator for sudden acceleration and definitely don’t switch to S mode for sporty driving, as it can cause excessive friction between the steel belt and pulleys. Try to keep the RPM below 2,500 and use ECO mode for smooth cruising. In city driving, frequent gear changes from stop-and-go traffic can actually help, and avoid using cruise control constantly on the highway. Changing the oil after the break-in period is essential to clear out metal shavings. Here’s a pro tip: at red lights, shift to N instead of P to reduce strain on the transmission.
