What is the best speed for a new car on the highway?
3 Answers
For the first 500 kilometers, the new car must not be driven with heavy loads, and the speed should not exceed 80 km/h. Within 1000 kilometers, it can carry slightly heavier loads, but the driving speed should not exceed 100 km/h. Within 2000 kilometers, the driving speed should not exceed 120 km/h. More detailed explanations are as follows: 1. Running-in period: Before the car is assembled, each moving part is processed separately, and there are geometric deviations in the processing of parts. Therefore, after assembly, some moving parts may have direct local contact, making it difficult for lubricating oil to enter the friction surface, resulting in early wear. The running-in period is the time during which these directly contacting parts are worn down, and this period is called the running-in period. The running-in mileage for a new car is generally 1000 to 3000 kilometers. 2. Generally, it is best to wait until after the first maintenance because the oil used before the first maintenance is the first batch, which contains a large amount of debris. Using this oil for high-speed driving will greatly increase engine wear and may even cause abnormal wear. As a result, the vehicle after the running-in period may not be in the best condition.
As a car maintenance expert, I believe driving a new car on the highway requires special attention. My experience is that the first 500 kilometers after delivery are a critical break-in period, during which it's best not to push for speed. Maintaining a speed between 100-110 km/h is ideal, never exceeding 120 km/h, and the engine RPM should absolutely not go beyond 3,000. I've seen cases where people immediately drove at 140 km/h after taking delivery, only to find slight cylinder wall scratches during the first maintenance. On the highway, remember to change lanes every hour to evenly distribute stress on the suspension system. After highway driving, don't turn off the engine immediately—let it idle for two minutes to cool down the turbo. While modern cars don't strictly require break-in periods, gentle driving will undoubtedly help your beloved vehicle maintain peak condition for longer.
A veteran mechanic from three generations of car repairers told me that the first 300 kilometers of a new car are the most critical period to avoid aggressive driving. When driving on the highway, set the cruise control at 100 km/h, which is exactly the recommended speed for the middle lane on domestic highways. The key is to avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration—treat the throttle as if you're stepping on an egg with gentle pressure. Once, while helping inspect a seized engine, it turned out the owner had raced to 160 km/h on the very night they picked up the car. It's recommended to take a 30-minute break every 200 kilometers to allow the engine to cool down properly. Don’t believe the online myths about high-speed driving to remove carbon deposits—modern China VI-B compliant vehicles don’t require it at all.
