How to Drive a New Santana During the Break-in Period?
4 Answers
During the break-in period of a new Santana, the following aspects should be noted: 1. Warm up before starting. For fuel-injected cars, turn the key to the second position and wait for 5-10 seconds before starting the engine. 2. Avoid high-speed driving. New cars have speed limits during the initial driving phase, typically 40-70 km/h for domestic vehicles. The engine speed during the break-in period should strictly be kept between 2000 to 4000 rpm. 3. Avoid overloading. Running a new car at full capacity can damage the components. 4. Do not remove the speed limiter prematurely. The speed limiter is a throttle device installed between the carburetor and the intake pipe. Drivers should not remove it in advance but should wait until the initial 1000 km is completed and combine it with the initial maintenance. 5. Avoid long-distance trips. Long trips in a new car will prolong the engine's continuous operation time, increasing component wear. 6. Avoid emergency braking. Emergency braking not only shocks the braking system during the break-in period but also increases the impact load on the chassis and engine. Therefore, avoid emergency braking within the first 300 km of driving. 7. Shift gears promptly. Shift gears timely and appropriately to avoid driving at high gears with low rpm or low gears with high rpm. 8. Use high-quality gasoline whenever possible. The engine oil used in a new car should not be of a lower grade than the manufacturer's specified standard.
During the break-in period of my new car, I pay special attention to these points: keep the RPM below 4000 for the first 1500 kilometers, and try to maintain the speed under 80 km/h. Start slowly when accelerating, treating it as gently as a child learning to walk. For those driving manual transmissions, remember to shift gears frequently; don't always use the same gear for long distances, allowing the transmission gears to wear evenly from all angles. The brakes also need breaking in—avoid sudden stops for the first 300 kilometers, and ease off the throttle early when approaching intersections to coast and slow down. After a cold start, wait half a minute before driving. Although modern cars don't require deliberate warming up, the oil still needs time to reach every corner of the engine. Check the oil level weekly, as consumption may be higher than normal in the first two months. Don't carry too much heavy load in the car; I even halved the number of water bottles in the trunk. Driving like this not only saves fuel but also ensures smoother power delivery in the future.
As a commuter who drives 50 kilometers daily, here's how I handle the break-in period for my Santana: Avoid maintaining a constant speed for long periods, so on the highway, I change lanes to adjust my speed. Flooring the accelerator? Don't even think about it during the break-in period! I accelerate as gently as stepping on an egg. Pay attention to the engine sound—if it suddenly becomes muffled or sharp, ease off the accelerator and check immediately. Gear shift timing is crucial; shift up when the engine reaches around 2500 RPM to protect the engine and avoid lugging. Check tire pressure weekly for the first month, as new tires' pressure can fluctuate due to rubber settling. Don't blast the AC at full power to reduce engine load. Most importantly, always refuel at reputable gas stations—don't skimp by buying from small, shady vendors, as low-quality gasoline can severely damage a new car.
During the run-in period, remember the three key principles: no racing, no full load, and no lugging. The first 10 kilometers after each startup are particularly crucial, as this is when component fit is at its roughest. I intentionally choose routes with inclines to allow the engine to break in under various loads. Maintaining an ideal RPM range of 1,500-3,000 is optimal, and manual transmission owners should remember to shift gears crisply. Regarding brakes, hearing a slight grinding sound during the first few stops is normal, but avoid repeated hard braking. On weekends, drive on suburban asphalt roads and avoid gravel surfaces to protect new tires. Remember to change the break-in oil early - removing metal particles is vital for engine longevity.
