Do You Have to ‘Break In’ a New Car?
“Drive it like you stole it” is a common and arguably overused phrase to describe the way “real” car enthusiasts think everyone should behave behind the wheel: pushing a car to its limit at every opportunity. And it’s tempting, to say the least, to really explore the potential of a brand new car. After all, you’ve probably been waiting a long time for the chance to call it your own. But cars actually need a “break-in” period before you test them to the max. Here’s why.
Breaking in a new vehicle is really about the engine. The break-in — or mechanical run-in — period is designed to begin to wear the engine evenly and smoothly with low, consistent pressure, normal operating temperature and smoothly flowing oil. The goal is to get the engine’s piston rings, which expand, contract and flex, to seat properly on the cylinder walls. If there are imperfections in the pistons or the cylinder walls from the manufacturing process, working the engine too hard and too soon can wear down those imperfections too quickly. That leads to “hot spots” within the engine’s cylinders, which can cause problems in the years to come.
Most drivers have no idea what’s going on inside their car’s engine at any given time or, more to the point, how their behavior behind the wheel affects it. Rest assured that proper, manufacturer-recommended break-in procedure is designed to enable the engine to do what it needs to do. The benefits, according to CNET, are better fuel economy, better performance, less chance of burning or leaking oil and overall longer engine life.
- Break-in Times Vary
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Break-in Times Vary
Examples of break-in periods for specific vehicles vary, depending on the make, model and other variables. For instance, Nissan suggests its GT-R should not be driven at more than 50 percent throttle or over 3,500 RPM (revolutions per minute) for the first 300 miles (482 kilometers). Chevrolet has a two-stage break-in for its famed Corvette: For the first 500 miles (804 kilometers), it suggests drivers stay below 4,000 RPM and avoid driving at full throttle. Subaru recommends owners keep it below 4,000 RPM for the first 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers), regardless of the car model.
The Acura NSX, on the other hand, has its break-in period completed at the factory before the car is delivered to the customer. The engine is manipulated manually and via computer for the equivalent of 150 miles (241 kilometers), below 4,000 RPM and at varying engine loads (essentially, simulating driving in different types of traffic and at different speeds). This process ensures an even break-in and allows new NSX owners to immediately drive the car at peak performance.
Do You Really Need to “Break In” A New Engine?
A new engine is like a pair of boots – you have to gradually break it in. At least, that’s the conventional wisdom shared by most of the auto industry. But advancements in technology and manufacturing have many wondering whether you still need to gently break in a new engine for the first few hundred miles before revving it out fully. The truth is, it depends.
Why do you need to break in a new engine?
As engineering has grown more robust in the automotive sector, some manufacturers have turned heel on breaking in new engines. According to Consumer Reports, Volvo does not recommend a break-in period for its new vehicles. Other OEMs claim that they emulate the engine break-in process at the factory during assembly and testing.
However, driving a new vehicle gently for the first few hundred miles might still be a good idea. Some time spent performing in real-world conditions can help ensure that gaskets, piston rings, and other components are seated correctly. In short, it helps the engine components fit together better for long-term durability and performance. Taking it easy for a couple of weeks before pushing your vehicle’s performance can pay dividends down the road – even if the OEM doesn’t require it.
Some brands still recommend driving gently at first
While some OEMs have veered away from engine break-in protocols, others still recommend taking it easy at first.
Consumer Reports says the Ford Maverick is among the new models requiring a brief engine break-in period. Its owner’s manual encourages owners to avoid aggressive driving, towing, or intense braking for the first 1,000 miles.
Another example is the Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer Reports’ test model required 600 miles to break in the new engine and 1,200 miles before towing.
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Staff Writer, Producer – SUVs
Scott Prewitt
Scott Prewitt joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2023 as a Staff Writer for the SUV section. During college, he began his career in journalism as Editor in Chief of The Creightonian. After graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, News and Public Relations, Scott spent time in a local newsroom. He soon found his way to the world of automotive journalism and has been writing about cars since 2017.
A passion for all things automotive began at a young age. Playing Gran Turismo racing games in the early 2000s sparked an interest in cars and Scott began devouring Car and Driver stories when he was in the fourth grade. Since then, Scott’s enthusiasm for autos has grown to become the focal point of his career as a journalist.
By combining the skills that earned him the News Graduate of the Year 2016 and the Omaha Press Club Recognition & Academic Scholarship with a craving for knowledge of automotive industry, Scott covers a wide range of content from breaking news about the latest SUV models to designated off-road and overlanding rigs. His reporting is informed by personal experiences like road trips, intriguing automotive history, and time spent poring over various outlets and YouTube channels. Scott is drawn to car culture because, in his own words, “these vehicles are a combination of purpose-built engineering and emotive, expressive design.”
The personal aspects of the autos world are of particular interest to Scott, and he is fascinated by the relationship between humans and cars. Years of writing for dealerships across the country and time in the corporate communications world lend to his expertise as a writer here at MotorBiscuit.
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/do-still-have-to-break-in-new-car.htm
