How Many Kilometers Should a New Car Drive Before Going on the Highway?

[AuroraLynn]

Generally, it is advisable for a new car to drive on the highway after reaching 2,500 kilometers. Here is some information about new car registration: 1. Processing Time: Registering a new car license plate takes 1-3 hours. The process of registering a car, apart from purchasing insurance at the 4S store and paying vehicle purchase tax at the tax bureau, is mostly completed at the vehicle management office. 2. Best Time for Registration: The vehicle purchase tax has a two-month deadline when buying a car. If it exceeds two months, a late fee will be charged, and the vehicle purchase tax must be paid before the car can be registered. After 60 days, a penalty will be imposed, calculated as 0.05% of the vehicle purchase tax. Therefore, it is recommended to register the new car within two months.

[VonJulianna]

I remember when buying a new car, the 4S dealership recommended avoiding high-speed driving during the break-in period and suggested driving gently before the first maintenance. The break-in period is generally 1,000 to 1,500 kilometers, allowing engine components to gradually adapt and avoid excessive wear. High-speed driving increases RPM too much, which can accelerate wear during the initial period. After the break-in, my car had no issues driving at high speeds, and the performance became more stable. It's advisable to refer to the user manual. If you urgently need to drive on the highway, avoid speeding too much and keep it between 80 to 100 kilometers per hour. Regular maintenance after the break-in period will make the car more durable.

[DiEleanor]

I just got my new car and want to speed on the highway but worry about damaging it. Typically, the break-in period is before the first service or around 1,000 kilometers—don't immediately go full throttle on the highway. Keep the RPM below 3,000 to let the engine gradually adapt. After my car hit 500 kilometers, I tried a short highway run very carefully. Post-break-in, highway driving is totally fine—better performance and even more fuel-efficient. It's safer to drive in the city daily for some break-in before hitting the highway.

[Piper]

From a mechanical perspective, new cars require a simple break-in period, during which the engine and transmission components need to gradually wear in. While theoretically, you can take the car on the highway at any time, it's better to drive gently before the first maintenance or within the first 1,500 kilometers to reduce the risk of wear. Maintain a steady speed and avoid sudden acceleration to optimize performance after the break-in. It's also advisable to check tire pressure and the braking system to ensure safety before long trips.