Breaking in a new car: How to keep your car for a long time
Have you fulfilled your dream of owning a new car and want to drive it in properly? There are a few things to keep in mind. With the following tips, you can take good care of your new companion.
The days when automobiles were given special lubricating oil for breaking in are long gone. At that time, the engine parts had to be carefully ground over thousands of kilometers. Thanks to optimized manufacturing techniques, vehicle components are now produced much more precisely. This is why the individual mechanical components mesh more smoothly from the outset than before. Nevertheless, there are still a few things to consider today to make your new car as comfortable as possible to start on the road and to increase its service life.
Why do I have to break in the new car?
Despite precise production methods, pistons and cylinders often have minimal unevenness. The brakes also need some time to develop their full braking performance. Springs and shock absorbers initially provide a rather rough driving pleasure. Last but not least, the tires should also be broken in up to 150 kilometers. If you go full throttle right from the start, you're not only jeopardizing the lifespan of your new car. Until complete traction and braking ability are achieved, you should drive carefully for the sake of yourself and road users.
How do I break in my new car correctly?
Step number one: Read the owner's manual of your new car thoroughly and follow the information in it. What the focus is on when breaking in can vary depending on the model. After 2,000 kilometers, your new car is completely broken in. We'll tell you which car parts you should pay special attention to when breaking in.
Gearbox and motor: Increase speed bit by bit
Give the car transmission time to grind in despite more precise factory production. Use only two-thirds of the available speed for the first 1,000 kilometres. After that, you can increase them bit by bit. Vary the speed and drive on different routes, such as country roads, highways or hilly terrain. This allows your vehicle to get used to different load conditions.
For new diesel cars, a maximum value of 3,500 rpm applies when running-in, for gasoline cars it is 4,500 rpm.
And with the automatic transmission?
If you drive with an automatic transmission, an intelligent controller takes over the regulation of the engine speed for them. When you press the accelerator pedal all the way, the transmission automatically shifts into a lower gear immediately. Experts speak of a so-called "kickdown". You should avoid such kickdowns in the early stages. This means that you don't immediately call up the maximum engine power via the accelerator pedal.
Tires: Carefully remove release agent
Have you already wondered about the shine on the tires of your new car? Many car tires are provided with an oily release agent so that they can be removed more easily from the tire mold. On the first 150 kilometres, your vehicle therefore has an increased risk of slipping. Drive carefully around curves and be especially careful in leaves and wet. When the tread is no longer shiny – after around 150 kilometres – the tyres have developed their optimum grip.
Brakes: no hard braking manoeuvres
With a new car, you have to press the brake pedal with more force at the beginning. Only after 200 to 300 kilometers does the brake system produce about the same braking effect as in a broken car. Avoid emergency braking at the beginning if possible so as not to put unnecessary strain on the brakes.
Chassis: factory stiff
Mechanical components such as shock absorbers, springs and axle joints often do not interact optimally at the factory. Since they are fixed at the factory, the driving experience when breaking in your new car is rather hard. Handle your new car gently so that the springs can swing in together. Also, don't load the vehicle too heavily and avoid potholes.
New car smell: ventilate, ventilate, ventilate
Some love the smell of freshly made textiles and plastics from new cars. Others find it highly disturbing. Do you belong to the second group? Then ventilate your new car regularly and the unpleasant smell will disappear after a short time.
What can also help against the annoying smell is baking soda. Simply put a bowl with a few spoonfuls of baking soda in the car and let it sit for a day.
Tip for turbocharged cars
In the car, the turbocharger has the task of compressing the combustion air that is supplied to the engine. Turbos are there to be driven at full throttle. This is also appropriate in the run-in phase. If you have put a lot of stress on the turbocharger, you should give it a longer cooling phase. Otherwise, heat build-up can occur, which will severely affect the charger, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees, in the long run.
How to break in hybrid and electric cars correctly
Electric motors usually contain only one moving part – the rotor running in the bearings. This means that there is no risk of numerous mechanical parts rubbing against each other. You can extend the engine from the beginning. However, the conventional guidelines for breaking in a new car correctly apply to brakes, chassis and tyres.
The situation is similar with hybrid cars. A hybrid usually combines an electric motor with a combustion engine. The engine is usually fully ready to drive from the factory. In any case, always read the user manual to be on the safe side.
For a long friendship with your mobile companion
Thanks to optimised factory settings, the right running-in technique is no longer essential for the survival of your new car. However, if you are careful with the gearbox and engine, tires, brakes and chassis at the beginning, you and your mobile companions will have a long friendship.