Should a new car be driven at high speeds and at what mileage should it start?
2 Answers
Avoid driving a new car at high speeds, but it can be done after about 5,000 kilometers. Reasons are as follows: During the break-in period of a new car, high-speed driving above 90 km/h should be avoided. When the new car has been driven for about 5,000 kilometers and is about to complete the break-in period, the owner can briefly run the engine above 4,000 RPM to reduce carbon buildup and improve engine performance. Other break-in considerations for new cars: A new car during the break-in period should avoid fully loaded driving because excessive load increases the burden on the engine and transmission, causing the engine to output excessive power and leading to excessive wear of components. Therefore, owners should be aware of their car's maximum load capacity and avoid fully loaded driving during the break-in period to extend the vehicle's lifespan. Owners should also avoid prolonged use of low gears and intentionally allow each gear to undergo the break-in process. For automatic transmission models, although the manual gear shifting break-in process is eliminated, owners should accelerate continuously under good road conditions to allow the transmission to shift up smoothly and avoid insufficient break-in of higher gears.
When I first bought my car, experienced drivers told me that a new car needs to be 'run in' at high speed, suggesting I drive around 1500 km to test it. I took their advice and hit 120 km/h on the highway, revving the engine to over 4000 RPM. It felt like the engine responded quicker and the throttle became lighter. However, when I later checked the owner's manual, it clearly stated to avoid high-load operation during the break-in period and recommended gentle driving for the first 1000 km. In reality, modern car manufacturing technology is advanced, and engines are already precision-tested at the factory. Deliberately running at high speeds might actually cause early wear—for example, high RPMs before the piston rings are fully seated can increase friction. Not to mention the safety risks: new brake systems or tires that aren't properly broken in can lead to loss of control during sharp turns at high speeds. My advice is to combine personal habits with the manual's guidance, rather than blindly following outdated practices. Stick to the manufacturer's instructions and prioritize regular maintenance—it's far more practical.
