Be patient during the break-in period
You’ve bought your dream car and now you want to make it last as long
as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you
pull it out of the dealer’s lot:
- During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended
by your car’s manufacturer.
- Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and
loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
- Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods—this is good
advice for the life of your car, but especially during break-in. The oil
pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of
your engine.
- Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.
Also be aware of these ways that you’re
wasting money on your car.
Drive with care every day
Being car considerate shouldn’t stop after the break-in. Drive with
care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals
without repair.
- Do not race your car’s engine during start-up. This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.
- Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive. The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first 10 to 20 minutes of operation.
- Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea.
The engine doesn’t operate at its peak temperature, resulting in
incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil
contamination, and ultimately damaged components.
- Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it’s stopped.
- Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it’s very hot or very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs.
- Extend the life of your tires with careful driving.
Observe posted speed limits. Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns. Avoid
potholes and objects on the road. Don’t run over curbs or hit the tire
against the curb when parking. And, of course, don’t burn rubber.
- When turning your steering wheel, don’t hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump.
- Consolidate your short driving trips. Most of the
wear and tear—as well as the pollution your car generates—takes place in
the first few minutes of driving. Doing several errands at once, during
low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer.
Read more here!
