Proper break-in of a new car

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

A new car cannot be used in the same way as a high mileage car. The thing is that it has completely new components that have been assembled into a single system, and it needs preliminary grinding. Breaking in a new car is a simple and mandatory task for every car owner.

Only experienced drivers know what is best to do with a new car. However, for those who get behind the wheel for the first time, especially a new car, not all the secrets of driving a car are known. If you are wondering how long it takes to break in a new car, then this article will help you. Together we will certainly deal with this issue.

What is this?

The break-in of a new car is the very first movement of a car, so you need to do it with the utmost care. It is recommended to start the run from 1500-2000 kilometers, and in a very careful mode. No "pedal to the floor"! When the car has a calm move, all its components will work correctly and calmly with each other. If the crankshaft speed is reduced to zeroor too frequent, then the parts have been rubbed in incorrectly. This causes a lot of different undercarriage problems.

It is also worth noting that during the break-in period of a new car, it is important to carefully monitor the oil volume indicators, because parts and assemblies will use it for lubrication in much larger quantities than in a standard situation.

What speed do you need?

If you are interested in the speed when running in a new car, then it should be a quiet car, always at the same pace. It is recommended to periodically change the speed mode, because it is at this moment that the efficiency of the engine is determined, as well as the smoothness of its course in the future. If this is not taken into account, then you cannot be completely sure of the reliability of your car.

How many km break-in of a new car? For the first 2000 kilometers, it is best not to experience the maximum speed capabilities of a car by driving on street roads. At its early stage, the machine will not be completely ready for this.

Common misconceptions

Many car owners believe that the nodes will get used to each other much faster if you accelerate rapidly, and then slow down sharply. However, this method will only negatively affect the condition of the running components of the car. This is due to the fact that jerky acceleration and rapid braking only loosen the entire system, breaking it.

Also, some inexperienced owners often ask how long it takes to break in a new cartime, and are surprised when they find out that this is a rather long time (1500-2000 kilometers need to be traveled). This is due to the fact that many believe that only the engine is subject to break-in. Nevertheless, this procedure is necessary for all components of the car that are somehow involved in the movement of the car. A car is like a big organism in which every part is connected to each other, so try to take good care of all the elements of the car.

Where and how should the break-in be carried out?

After purchasing a car, a happy owner can forget about such an important task as running a new car. However, after a short drive on a busy city street, you can notice how heavy and with little maneuverability the car moves. Experienced drivers often refer to this as "engine braking". The first trips by car are best made on the highway, remote from the city, where there are not a lot of traffic lights and the flow of cars that move in different directions.

Proper break-in of a new car is carried out on a day off, because then there are much fewer cars, which means that the driver can take his time to enjoy the trip, better comprehending the operation of the car.

The nuances of running the engine

As we said earlier, every node and component in the car should be subjected to the break-in process, but special attention must be paid to the engine, the heart of the car. This is a very important component of the car, its operation must beas carefully and carefully as possible. Only a properly run-in engine will allow you to enjoy your trips on your business without worrying about any unforeseen failures.

The "life" energy of an incorrectly broken-in engine will be only 30% of its true potential if you did everything right. It is worth noting that recently many car engine manufacturers are doing their job as accurately and perfectly as possible, so that a new car can move optimally right after the assembly line.

However, even such excellent quality cannot avoid running in, so new parts must first be tested for performance, and only after that - for endurance.

Unwanted idling

Special mention deserves the idling of the engine, which is undesirable to do for a long time. Almost any instruction that comes with a new car will tell you about this. It indicates that the operation of the engine in neutral gears is a difficult condition for using the device. You will certainly be able to see such a record not only in foreign models, but also in the documentation for domestic representatives of the auto industry.

Cold run-in

It should also be noted that nowadays most of the major auto manufacturers also carry out cold break-in at the plant. This means that the engine and transmission are pre-checked before they are installed inside the car. However, this is carried out without a cityloads. Every element of the car, like brake discs, suspension, pads and more, needs to be adapted.

No break-in needed?

You may be confused by statements from dealers that the break-in process is not a prerequisite, but only a recommendation for use. Some even argue that the maximum load on the car can be carried out immediately after leaving the passenger compartment. Nevertheless, this is an important step, ignoring which can hit your pocket.

Checking the brake system

Breaking in the brakes is the easiest part and the easiest. Why do they need to be rubbed at all? If you put in completely new pads or even discs, it will take you more than a dozen, or maybe hundreds of kilometers, so that the layer at the top begins to wear off, and the planes begin to “stuff” for subsequent normal operation. Surely many car owners have noticed more than once the black dust that appears on newly installed pads.

They have a top layer that is softer and wears off during the first 150-200 kilometers. In no case should you perform sudden or prolonged braking so that the surface is erased evenly and evenly.

Disks don't have such a layer, they immediately start functioning. However, there is also no mirror, which is stuffed with a friction lining. So the lapping process will still be useful. For full disclosure and maximum efficiency, the brakes need 200 kilometers of careful treatment. Nothing complicated.

Transmission run-in

It should be clarified that the transmission is not just an automatic or manual transmission, but the entire system taken together. These are also bearings, shafts, seals and more.

As you can see, there are enough components rubbing against each other. It is clear that driven bearings are already perfectly lapped, because they are produced on the basis of special technologies and with the right roughness tolerance. However, there are still microns that are worth running in the car while it is in use.

The gearbox consists of a large number of all kinds of gears, friction discs and other components, which, of course, are tested in the factory. Nevertheless, the load is selected for the necessary “hundredths”, and the gears fill the “mirror” at the points of engagement. To get it evenly and there are no deflections, try not to do the maximum load.

For an automatic transmission, it is necessary to break in the upper layer of the friction disc and gears with shafts, but it is strongly not recommended to overheat the device in the first 500 kilometers.

Test drive after overhaul

According to practice, running-in is necessary not only for a new car, but also for an engine that has been overhauled. According to experts, such motors need hard processing, but in the first 3000-4000 kilometers it is best not to overload them. During the first break-in, it is advisable to add imported oil, which after the first 2000-3000 kilometers will need to be changed, as well as the used oil filter. Although the engine break-in procedureof a new car is the same as for a refurbished model, in the latter case, the break-in period of components is almost doubled.

What needs to be done for this?

1. Fully charge your battery so that the engine can easily start. Moreover, it is necessary to fill in the highest quality engine oil to the very top of the dipstick. It is also worth considering that pouring oil into the oil filter is prohibited, because an air lock may form. The motor, after oil is poured into it, does not need to be started immediately. Wait at least a quarter of an hour for it to drain into the pan.
2. In cars that do not have a fuel pump, fuel is pumped manually.
3. The engine is started using the starter, and it is also necessary to control the amount of oil on the dashboard sensors.
4. If the pressure indicators are at the normal level, then the engine can be warmed up to the mark of 93 ° С. Then turn off the engine and let it cool down to 40 ° C. The next time, warm-up should be carried out at idle. Such repetitions must be performed at least 20 times.
5. After there is a process of running the engine at high speeds, during which it is required to increase them every minute. For example, hold the indicator at 1000 rpm for three minutes, then stay at 1500 rpm for four minutes and then follow the same principle.
6. At this stage, you can already go on the road. The speed of your trip should not exceed 70 km/h. How many kilometers run-innew car carried out? You need to be as careful as possible on the first 500 kilometers, monitor the operation of the engine. Overloading during this period is strictly prohibited. As soon as you overcome this distance, you can increase the permissible speed to 90 km/h.
7. Once this run is over, change the filter and oil and tighten all screw connections.

If the break-in process of a new car or after a major overhaul was performed incorrectly, then very soon you will begin to notice oil inside the air cleaner, difficulty starting the engine will begin, fuel consumption will increase significantly, as well as lubricant. Moreover, you will notice a decrease in engine power.

Running in wintertime

How long does it take to break in a new car in the winter? This question is asked by many owners of brand new cars and often do not dare to buy a new iron horse, believing that running in during this period is impossible. In no case should you be afraid of winter, because any season is suitable for running in a car, the main thing is to be able to adapt to different conditions.

Experienced car enthusiasts recommend preheating the crankcase and gearbox before starting the engine. To do this, you can take any heating element, such as a gas burner, for example. To prevent any unwanted failures in the oil supply, during break-in, try to visit your technical center periodically for inspection. There you can quickly change the oil, change the filter, which will also allow you to get rid of small sawdust,which will certainly appear during the running-in of components.

Moreover, do not forget about the instructions for the car, which always indicate how many kilometers the break-in of a new car lasts, the recommended speed limits in various gears are taken into account and much more.

If you strictly adhere to all the above recommendations, then you will certainly be able to properly break in your car, thereby significantly extending the duration of its operation. However, it is important to remember that any correct break-in of the car will be a waste of time if you do not properly monitor the car and make miscalculations in its operation.