How Many Kilometers Should a New Car Have Before Driving on the Highway?
3 Answers
A new car should generally wait until after the first maintenance service, which is around 3,000-5,000 kilometers, before driving on the highway. This is because the initial oil used before the first service contains a significant amount of debris, and driving at high speeds with this oil can greatly increase engine wear and even cause abnormal damage. As a result, the car may not be in optimal condition after the break-in period. Additional tips for the break-in period: 1. Avoid hard braking: Hard braking not only shocks the braking system during the break-in period but also increases the impact load on the chassis and engine. It is best to avoid hard braking within the first 300 kilometers of driving. 2. Avoid overloading: Running a new car at full capacity during the break-in period can damage the components. Therefore, within the first 1,000 kilometers, the load should generally not exceed 75%-80% of the rated capacity. 3. Highway driving: Driving long distances during the break-in period increases the continuous working time of the engine, which can lead to increased wear. It is recommended to maintain a speed of 120 km/h with the engine RPM not exceeding 3,000. If the RPM exceeds 3,000, consider reducing the speed to keep it at or below 3,000 RPM. During long trips, take breaks at service areas for about ten minutes. 4. Avoid premature oil changes: The initial oil in a new car is specifically designed for the break-in period, with low viscosity, excellent heat dissipation, cleaning, and antioxidant properties. Some manufacturers even add grinding agents to aid the break-in process. Therefore, follow the manufacturer's recommended schedule for oil changes during the break-in period and avoid changing the oil too early.
Nowadays, new cars are built with advanced technology, so there's no need for a special break-in period. The manual says you can drive on the highway within the first 2,000 kilometers, but I would avoid aggressive driving like flooring the accelerator. Don't constantly rev the engine into the red zone, and make sure to use different gears. New components like tires and brake pads will adapt after about 300 kilometers of driving. I took my new car on the highway just last week, cruising steadily at 100 km/h. Remember to check the tire pressure in advance—don't overinflate them—and wait for the engine coolant and oil temperatures to normalize before speeding up.
My colleague just bought an SUV and took it on the highway for delivery the next day. Nowadays, cars undergo cold running-in before leaving the factory. As long as you don't exceed 4000 RPM and 120 km/h, you can drive freely. When I bought my car two years ago, the salesperson said just keep the driving gentle within the first 1000 kilometers. Just avoid driving continuously for too long—take a break at a service area every two hours to let the car rest. Be gentle until the oil temperature rises, and there's no need to strictly adhere to a 3000-kilometer break-in period like with older cars.
