Do You Have to Follow New Car Engine Break In?
Introduction
When you get a new car, one of the things you may wonder is whether or not you need to follow the break-in period. This is a period of time during which you are supposed to drive the car gently and avoid putting too much stress on the engine. The idea behind this is to allow the engine to break in and get used to the new parts.
What Does the Break-In Period Accomplish?
The break-in period is designed to help the engine to:
- Seat the piston rings. The piston rings are responsible for sealing the combustion chamber and preventing oil from leaking into the cylinders. During the break-in period, the rings will seat themselves against the cylinder walls, creating a better seal.
- Break in the camshaft. The camshaft is responsible for opening and closing the valves. During the break-in period, the camshaft will wear in and become more efficient.
- Break in the transmission. The transmission is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. During the break-in period, the transmission will wear in and become more efficient.
Does the Break-In Period Still Matter?
In the past, the break-in period was very important. However, with modern manufacturing techniques, the break-in period is not as important as it used to be. This is because the parts in modern engines are more precisely machined and they do not need as much time to break in.
Most manufacturers recommend that you follow a break-in period of 500 to 1,000 miles. However, you may not need to follow the break-in period as strictly as in the past. You can still drive the car gently during the first few hundred miles, but you do not need to avoid putting any stress on the engine.
What to Avoid During the Break-In Period
Even though the break-in period is not as important as it used to be, there are still some things you should avoid doing during this time. These include:
- Towing heavy loads. Towing heavy loads can put a lot of stress on the engine, which can damage the components that are still breaking in.
- Racing the engine. Racing the engine can cause the engine to overheat, which can also damage the components that are still breaking in.
- Driving at high speeds for extended periods of time. Driving at high speeds for extended periods of time can put a lot of stress on the engine, which can also damage the components that are still breaking in.
Conclusion
The break-in period is not as important as it used to be, but it is still a good idea to drive the car gently during the first few hundred miles. This will help the engine to break in and get used to the new parts. Avoid towing heavy loads, racing the engine, or driving at high speeds for extended periods of time during the break-in period.
