Techniques for breaking in a new car
After going through the purchasing process, you’re finally in possession of a brand-new car with virtually no mileage on the odometer, except what was necessary to bring the car to the dealership. What’s next? If you want your car to perform as well as possible, you may want to consider breaking it in. Here’s what you should know.
Why break in a new car?
The goal of breaking in a new car is to allow the piston rings of the engine to settle into the cylinder walls as tightly and smoothly as possible, with minimal friction or leakage. “That can result in better fuel economy, lower oil usage, better power delivery and longer engine life at the end of the car’s career,” says Brian Cooley, editor for CNET. The break-in period varies depending on the car but is generally no longer than 1,000 miles. Theoretically, that initial restraint at the beginning of the car’s life can pay off all throughout your time with it, and especially as you start to pile on the miles.
Techniques for breaking in your new car
For the best tips on how to break in your car, you should consult your owner’s manual, which may include a few best practices and guidelines. These are usually the same: Don’t tow anything, avoid hard stops, and do not drive at full throttle or high engine rpm for extended periods. For example, Subaru recommends that all its models remain below 4,000 rpm for the first 1,000 miles. Nissan says the GT-R supercar should not be driven over 3,500 rpm for the first 300 miles, or at more than half throttle. Mercedes-Benz suggests you avoid engine braking in the GLC SUV for the first 1,000 miles.
In other words, drive smoothly and don’t floor it. This is generally good practice with any car regardless of the amount of mileage on it, but even more beneficial if the car happens to be new. Another tip is to vary the engine’s rpm frequently. Mike Schropp, engine supervisor at Livernoise Motorsports, says, “Extended idling … can glaze cylinder walls, preventing the rings from properly seating. For this reason and more, it’s critical to vary engine speed during the early miles.”
Is breaking in your new car truly necessary?
According to Consumer Reports, breaking in your car could be a thing of the past. Modern cars are much more robust, making the break-in process less critical. “I reached out to a manufacturer, in this case Volvo, and they said there is no prescribed or necessary break-in procedure with their newer cars,” says Mike Monticello. The owner’s manual for the 2019 Mazda3 provides break-in suggestions such as the aforementioned, but nonetheless points out that they are not necessary. Every new Acura NSX rolls off the factory line with an engine that’s already broken in so that owners can go straight to the track if they wish.
Ultimately, you may not need to break in your new car. However, it certainly can’t hurt to drive it gently, if only because this is good for your car no matter its age. If you’re seeking model-specific recommendations as to how to break in your car, the first place to look is in your owner’s manual.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with Adirondack Bank. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. Adirondack Bank is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the information provided or the content of any third-party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. Adirondack Bank makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.
Source: IMakeNews, Inc.
