by JH 17 Replies latest jw friends
Often I heard that with a brand new car, you can't drive at a constant speed for a long period of time, because it isn't good for a brand new motor. They recommend driving at varaiable speeds and variable RPM for the first 1000 miles atleast.
Just wondering if anyone here knows about this, and how many miles does it take for a new motor to be able to drive very long distances at constant highway speed without any problem.
I just spoke to my mechanic hubby and he has never heard of anything like that before. He did say something about 500 mile break-in then changing your oil. But nothing about not driving at a constant speed. Sounds silly to me.
Well, it does sound silly to me too, but I do know that there is a breaking period to a new engine... I read on the net that for the first 1000 miles, not to go at constant speeds for long periods of time, example...taking a long trip of 1000 miles for example at 70 mph...
Since we can't believe everything on the net, I just wanted to know from mechanics on this board if there is such a break in period for car engines...
I've heard that, too, but I'm not a car mechanic. I think it makes a lot of sense, though.You can get metal shavings from the engine into the crankcase, and mix with the oil, so after a break-in period, they change the oil, and I think you are alll set after that. (500 or 1000 miles)?
Hubert
I just found this on the net, so there is some truth to it. I just wanted to be sure, cause I wanted to take a trip not long after I purchased my new car.
New Car Break-in period:
1000 miles: Drive calmly for the first 1,000 miles
Avoid hard starts and stops.
Vary your speeds over the full range of city and highway driving
Don't use cruise control too much
City and freeway driving is fine because that will vary the speeds
1st oil change due at 3 months or 3,000 miles
Vary your speeds over the full range of city and highway driving
That is true for the first 500 - 1200 miles depending on the maker.
The car makers used to say that in the 1950's, 60's and early part of the 70's. It was even in the owners manuals which you can read if you ever get access to one.
Now they say it doesn't matter.
HappyDad
The car makers used to say that in the 1950's, 60's and early part of the 70's.
It may have something to do with the metal that was used for the engines. They used to be cast iron blocks, but now I think they are all aluminum blocks.
Not sure if that's the reason. Does anyone know for sure?
Hubert
When I was a kid, all cars had to be "run-in" for at least 500 miles and no going over 30 mph either.
Then, once a car had done about 50,000 miles, you could part-exchange the engine for a reconditioned unit. This was always painted gold and cost the princely sum of £35.
Englishman.
This used to be pretty common once upon a time, but I think it's fallen away a bit as manufacturing tolerances have grown smaller over the years.
Still, I think it's a good idea to go easy on an engine for the first 500-100 miles, then change the oil & filter. Get rid of anything that accumulated. Then spank it like a stepchild.
Check the owner's manual for your car & stay reasonably close to the manufacturer's reccommendations for a bit.
