The Best Way to Break In Your New Car

Rolling off the lot in a brand new car is a pretty special and fun experience, especially if it’s a car you’ve been dreaming of. Or, perhaps your very first car.

The natural impulse is to step on the gas and test its limits, but folks with brand new cars should temper their curiosity and allow it some time to break in. In the past, virtually all manufacturers would list out a recommended break in period within their manual – typically between 500 and 1000 miles. Today, most don’t as cars engines and their various systems have become more intuitive, adapting to a driver’s driving style. Despite that, it’s best not to tempt fate and allow a new car the opportunity to grow into itself.

We’ve compiled a few tips that new car owners can follow here:

Engine Break In

Engines have a lot of moving parts as well as oil to help protect those moving parts. Any engine, both new and old, can benefit from a warm up period before use. In new cars, not only are you allowing the fluids to warm up, but you are allowing the fluids to settle into the engine evenly to help facilitate components like pistons and the transmission to grow into themselves.

You also want to avoid extreme RPMs and super long journeys right off the bat. Again, all those moving parts need to acquaint themselves to each other and putting heavy strain on them can cause significant wear, putting your car on a course for more frequent repairs.

Brakes

Brakes and their various components also need time to acquaint themselves to each other. This includes the brake pads, rotors and calipers. Drivers should ease their brake systems into normal use, and avoid hard stops if possible. Hard braking off the bat can cause uneven wear and accelerated wear and tear.

Towing

Folks who plan to tow with their car or truck should resist towing significant weight for the recommended 500-1000 miles. Again, high, prolonged strains on a brand new engine can set your vehicle on course for repair sooner rather than later.

Of course, if you practice safe driving, most of the issues listed above can be mitigated. The truth is that these tips can help prolong the life of any car, new or old. They also increase the time between maintenance. By practicing safe driving you will be well on your way to a long and enjoyable relationship with your car.

BBack Car Care expertly handles maintenance and repairs on cars both old and new. For new cars, we are qualified to handle factory scheduled maintenance, keeping your car under warranty and for less than what the dealerships charge. For older vehicles, BBack Car Care helps you ‘love your car again’ by keeping your car on the road, protecting yourself as well as your wallet.

Ready to schedule an appointment? Request an appointment online or give our service desk a call and a member of our team will be happy to confirm an appointment.