How soon can a new car drive at 120 km/h?
4 Answers
A new car can go on the highway after about 500 kilometers and can also drive at 120 km/h. The purpose of driving a new car at high speed is simply to remove carbon deposits from the engine. During the break-in period, prolonged slow-speed driving can easily lead to carbon buildup in the engine. This applies not only to new cars but also to vehicles frequently driven in congested areas. Precautions for the break-in period of a new car include: warming up the car before starting: wait 5 to 10 seconds after shifting to second gear before driving; avoid high-speed driving: new cars have speed limits during the break-in period, with domestic cars limited to 40 to 70 km/h and imported cars to 100 km/h; avoid overloading: carrying too much weight during the break-in period can damage the mechanical components.
As a car enthusiast, I'm highly concerned about the break-in period for new cars. Typically, the first 500 to 800 kilometers are crucial for engine break-in. It's best to avoid rushing to high speeds like 120 km/h during this time, as improper wear of engine components may lead to premature failure or increased fuel consumption. My Japanese-brand vehicle's manual recommends keeping RPM below 3000 and maintaining speeds under 100 km/h during initial driving - urban roads or short highway trips at 50-60 km/h are ideal for warming up. After exceeding 1000 kilometers when the system settles in, you can gradually increase speed. Testing at 120 km/h shows stable power output with minimal noise. I've found that gentle driving during break-in results in better vehicle responsiveness, fewer malfunctions, and easier maintenance later. Never follow those who push new cars to maximum speed immediately - potential engine damage could lead to costly repairs.
With extensive experience driving heavy-duty vehicles, you should take it easy when pushing a new car to 120 km/h on the highway. Components like piston rings inside the engine need time to break in properly. I recommend avoiding speeds over 110 km/h or high-rev operations within the first 1,500 km. Having repaired numerous vehicles, I've observed that poorly broken-in engines often develop abnormal noises, unstable oil pressure, and reduced lifespan. According to manufacturer standards, a safe transition period typically spans 1,000 to 2,000 km – gradually reaching 120 km/h afterwards is fine, but aggressive driving early on may cause uneven component heating and warranty complications. My advice for new owners: stick to urban/suburban driving for the first few hundred kilometers, maintain gentle operation, and monitor fluid conditions. Speed can be increased naturally later. Safety first – it's not worth damaging your car for temporary thrills.
I resisted the urge to speed on the highway during the first week with my new family SUV. The break-in period simply means not driving aggressively for the first 1,000 kilometers - going 120 km/h is too risky and could damage the engine structure. The manual recommends gentle driving to extend the vehicle's lifespan, so I followed it by driving at lower speeds for an extra 500 km before gradually increasing to 120 km/h more comfortably. While modern car technology has loosened break-in requirements, controlling speed is always wise at least for more stable fuel consumption. Getting used to safe driving gives me peace of mind when taking the kids out - no need to chase speed.
