What is the recommended mileage for the break-in period of a new car?
2 Answers
The break-in period for a new car is generally around 1,000 to 1,500 kilometers. Below are the precautions and recommended engine speeds during the break-in period: Precautions during the break-in period: When driving a manual transmission vehicle during the break-in period, shift gears promptly and appropriately. Avoid incorrect behaviors such as high gear with low RPM or low gear with high RPM, and do not use a single gear for extended periods. For automatic transmission vehicles, drivers should maintain steady acceleration on good road conditions while paying attention to the engine RPM. Avoid sudden throttle inputs or aggressive acceleration. Recommended engine speeds during the break-in period: During the break-in period, it is advisable to keep the engine speed below 2,000 RPM. This allows the engine components to wear in smoothly, achieving optimal clearance between parts, which helps reduce fuel consumption and extend the engine's lifespan.
I've been driving for over a decade and seen too many people asking about the break-in period. In the past, engine machining precision was poor, so break-in required special attention. But nowadays, new cars undergo cold break-in at the factory before delivery. Generally, you need to be extra careful during the first 1,500 kilometers: avoid flooring the accelerator from standstill, don't exceed 100 km/h on highways, and keep RPM below 3,000. The focus is on breaking in the engine and transmission - stop-and-go city driving is more effective than highway cruising. Last month when I helped my neighbor check his new car, I found he'd already driven 500 km at 140 km/h on the highway. This kind of behavior can cause early wear on transmission gears. Wait until after the break-in period to do the first oil change, as this allows more metal particles to be drained with the oil.
