Breaking in a new car is a practice that manufacturers have recommended for decades, combining driving techniques and maintenance tasks that can help extend a car’s lifespan.
When your engine’s moving parts settle in and start working together properly, your car performs better. New car technology has improved dramatically, but this fundamental process remains essential.
So, how do you break in a new car? Here’s what you need to know:
Key Takeaways
- To help prevent possible issues down the road, it’s important to know how to break in a new car.
- While today’s modern cars may not need as much of a break-in period, there are still some basic recommended routines to help protect your investment.
- From monitoring RPM levels to getting regular oil changes, we’ll cover six fool-proof ways to break in your new car, plus tips to maximize your car’s longevity.
Why Do You Need To Break In a New Car?
Knowing how to break in a new car helps prevent potential problems from aggressive driving or poor maintenance during the first few hundred miles.
While today’s cars don’t require the elaborate break-in rituals of the past, there’s still value in being gentle with a new engine. Modern manufacturing is more precise, but metal parts still need time to seat properly. That’s why most car companies still recommend an easy-does-it approach early on.
How Long Does It Take To Break In a New Car?
The break-in period for a new car typically lasts 500 to 1,000 miles, which translates to about one to two months of everyday driving. This question is often framed as “how many miles to break in a new car” since mileage is usually more important than calendar time.
6 Tips for Breaking In a Car
These new car engine break-in steps help your vehicle’s components work together smoothly while avoiding habits that can cause future problems.
1. Watch Your RPM Levels
Your new car needs a gentle introduction to high performance. Most manufacturers recommend keeping RPMs under 3,000 during the break-in period, though this varies by type. Gasoline models typically should stay below 3,000 RPM, while diesel versions often need to stay closer to 2,500 RPM. Pushing high RPMs too early can prevent engine components from settling correctly.
2. Stay On Top of Your First Oil Change
Some manufacturers recommend an earlier first oil change to remove metal particles from the break-in process, while others say their factory oil is designed to last the full duration. Your owner’s manual will specify what’s right for your particular vehicle. Either way, monitoring your engine oil level during those first 1,000 miles is a smart practice.
3. Vary Your Driving Speeds
Your engine benefits from experiencing different loads and RPMs rather than staying at one speed. Gradually increase and decrease your pace throughout each drive. Mixed driving conditions work better than highway cruising at constant speeds during those first few hundred miles.
4. Limit Short Trips When Breaking a Car In
Short trips don’t allow your engine to reach proper operating temperature, which interferes with lubrication and can cause premature wear during the break-in period. Plan drives of at least 15-20 minutes to give your engine oil time to warm up and circulate properly.
5. Avoid Cruise Control
Cruise control maintains constant RPMs, which prevents proper bedding of the piston rings and cylinders. Skip cruise control for the first 1,000 miles to create natural variation in your driving that helps the components seat as intended.
6. Keep Loads Light
Avoid towing trailers or carrying heavy loads during the first 500 miles. Extra weight forces your engine to work harder than it should while everything is still new. Save the camping trip or furniture haul for after your car has had time to adjust.
These guidelines form the core of how to break in a new car effectively and safely.
Maintenance Tips: Beyond the New Car Break-In Period
Once your car is properly conditioned, these maintenance practices will keep it running smoothly for years:
- Monitor tire pressure monthly: Check your owner’s manual for the correct PSI and use a tire pressure gauge to check for proper inflation.
- Rotate tires every 5,000 miles: Even-wear patterns improve gas mileage and extend tire life.
- Follow your service schedule: Stick to manufacturer recommendations for major maintenance and inspections.
- Replace air and oil filters when due: Improve performance and fuel economy by replacing dirty filters.
- Check fluids regularly: Monitor engine oil, coolant and brake fluid levels between service visits.
- Store your vehicle properly – If you have a seasonal or collector car, learn about proper winterizing techniques to protect your investment.
Regular care improves vehicle reliability and can prevent costly breakdowns.
Drive With Confidence
The break-in process has evolved, but drivers should still ease into those first few hundred miles. Your owner’s manual has the specifics, but the basic idea remains: Be gentle early on, and your engine will reward you later.
Improved fuel economy, better performance and a car that lasts longer are the rewards for learning how to break in a new car. Like having great car insurance, this careful approach protects your investment from the start.
Thank you for providing such an amazing article! It is really useful for cars and engines. I really enjoyed reading it. It is quite beneficial to us.
EXCELENT article… I’ll be getting a new 2022 Subaru Forester… it has been 19 years since I last bought a car… 2003 Suzuki Aerio sx awd… and I needed a refresher course on breaking in a new car.
Hi Michael,
I received my new 2022 Forester two weeks ago and up to 410 miles. I am religiously following Subaru’s break-in recommendations, and also recommendations from years ago. Best practice is better than just adequate practice.
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I just got my new Toyota Yaris Y Plus 2021 Model.
Here in Saudi Arabia it’s hard for us to Drive up to 30 mph – 50 mph, minimum speed lane is 50-70 mph.. but I’m just hoping for a regular and proper maintenance to extend my car’s life..
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Thanks for putting together such an awesome article on break-in period! I’m always surprised to see how many people don’t know about the importance of this.
I’ve been driving a new car lately and one thing that really sticks out is the importance of going easy with it during its first couple thousand miles.
I have got a new thing to learn about this article. Thank you for sharing the information.
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Properly aligned wheels ensure your car handles properly, and therefore increases the life of your tyres and increases your safety.
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If the oil leaks out of the engine, (from oil filter), after driving 27 miles and there is only 1.5 quarts left in the engine, (4.7 qts. full oil level). Does this cause engine irreversible damage? Loud noise from engine was heard, (rod knock ?), and red engine light came on right before it was turned off.
Great article!!
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Dirve with confidence is a good concept to avoid accidents in the world
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Very good information. Thank you. Things have changed since I purchased my car in 2011
Old cars were better!
New cars are built to enhance manufacture and dealer enrichment!
I regret buying a new car!
Hartford, do you pay for theft prevention costs vis-a-vis catalytic converters? My car is garaged in my backyard but in those instances it’s not……I heard it can take less than a minute for thieves to remove it. Some auto shops install a metal plate cover. Any Hartford recommendations for installers in the 91802 area?
Gilbert – You may be covered for the theft if you carry comprehensive coverage on the vehicle. Our claims professionals are here and ready to assist you. Give them a call at 877-805-9918.
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Properly aligned wheels ensure your car handles properly, and therefore increases the life of your tyres and increases your safety.
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I found a new truck out of state that I will need to drive home. That drive will be about 600 miles. What kind of driving should I observe, so as to not cause any long term damage. I have been told not to drive at a constant high speed, like you would on an older vehicle. I assume that I should vary my speed during the trip. Any other advice you could give me would be appreciated. Thanks!
Great article! These tips would certainly go a long way, not just for breaking-in cars but for general maintenance as well. Breaking-in your car properly and good maintenance will surely prolong your car’s life and would enable you to maximize its full value. Another great tip I got from DigMyRide is to use synthetic oil. Synthetic oil allows your engine to have less friction since it has little to no impurities compared to traditional oil. Paying a little extra will surely be well worth it when it comes to your engine’s health.
It was helpful when you explained that the air and oil filters should be changed as recommended to help avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the engine of our car. My husband and I are looking for a loan for a new car so we can have a reliable vehicle to use for road trips with our kids this summer. Thanks for teaching me what methods we can use to help our investment in the new car last as long as possible! http://ticreditunion.org/Vehicle-Loans
Hi, thank you for the helpful tips. I just received my new Polo R-Line, equipped with a ridiculously small engine of just 1.0 ltr, 3 cylinder engine which is turbo charged and pushes out 85Kw. Reason being that our petrol prices here in South Africa are going through the roof and I travel long distance every day to work! It’s supposed to use 1/3 of the petrol our 5 year old Kia Sportage uses, but I was a bit concerned to see the average consumption being around 7 ltr. per 100 km at the moment (sorry we use “imperial” measures), but I noticed the consumption is coming down now in the second week…. your advice all makes sense and I will be patient before I take her on the “open road” and see how she can perform… until then, we’ll be sitting in the ‘slow lane’. Haha!
I think an article correction is needed in regards to new cars: No, not all modern cars need to have tires rotated front to back.
Some cars use different tire/wheel sizes front to back. (My 2008 BMW 328 with factory sport wheel setup.)
Some cars have the same size tires front and back, but the wheels have different offsets are are specific to front and back (my daughter’s 1991 Camaro)
Some cars use directional rotation tires which can go move to back, but not side to side.
Some manufacturers (BMW that I know of) do not recommend rotating tires front to back even if they are same size. I’ve never heard a good explanation of why, so I rotate mine front to back to even up tire wear.
IF your tires are same size front to back, and IF they are not directional in rotation (it says so on the sidewall if they are) and IF the wheels on your car are designed to go on any corner, then you can rotate them.
In other words, ask your tire guys about your car and your tires. Author = Albert Powell, Director, Learning Technologies at Colorado State University (1998-present)
No mention about using brakes gently till the pads seat properly on the rims. No mention of early changing automatic transmission – typically ignored – rather than ignoring it. No mention of having front end checked by dealer at first oil change. Cars are never fully assembled as intended by mfg. specs. So it really does pay to have the dealer do a full inspection at the first oil change.
The tire maintenance paragraph has “wear” spelled as “ware”. I realize spell check is probably to blame, but it should have been caught in edit.
Thanks for finding that error, Patricia! All fixed.
Very helpful…Thanks
Thanks for sharing this information with us. This information is really helpful and interesting . Keep sharing these types of articles.
I agree that manufacturers always recommend guidelines for car maintenance to ensure that the car is working at its finest. Thanks for educating me about the car maintenance and tune-up process that needs to be done. My brother will buy a new car next month, and I will remind him of regular maintenance for proper car functionality and longevity. I’m sure he will find an auto service who can assist him further.
Thanks for reading Bree, we are glad you found this helpful!
Thanks, your article on ‘How to break in a new car’ is impressive & will say your article is one of the best and it solves all my issue regarding car breaks. Good work keep doing.
Thanks for your feedback, we’re glad we could help!
Very good information. Thank you. Things have changed since I purchased my car in 1997.
I recently had a flat tire on my 2015 enclave Buick. 22,000 miles. The salesman insisted that I had to buy 4 new tires. Did I get ripped off.
Thanks so much, very useful advice
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If the oil leaks out of the engine, (from oil filter), after driving 27 miles and there is only 1.5 quarts left in the engine, (4.7 qts. full oil level). Does this cause engine irreversible damage? Loud noise from engine was heard, (rod knock ?), and red engine light came on right before it was turned off.
Thank You for this useful information.
It’s generally advised to use conventional motor oil during the break-in period. Synthetic motor oil is better in every way, but should not be used until the engine has been well broken-in.
While it is helpful to suggest to new car owners that engine break-in should – absolutely – still be performed, the guidelines offered by manufacturers are kept overly simple, not to benefit the engine and its new owner, but to limit the car maker’s liability if it were to offer more-accurate and complete break-in “rules.” Overly-simplistic guidelines, such as “drive it easy for the first 200 miles” or “keep engine revs below 3,000” will often result in the now fairly common (and lasting) excessive oil consumption issues, brought about by the adoption of new “low-tension” piston rings in direct-injection (“GDI”) engines. Without going into further details, I’d simply suggest consulting someone thoroughly experienced in modern engine technology – not a dealer’s service advisor – for proper advice regarding break-in procedures for new car engines and the best oil to be used to ensure longevity.
Great article, I like the car and the motive is always my top concern for my car. A good car when it has the perfect engine system and maintaining and maintaining the engine in good working condition is a very enjoyable experience for me. I read your article and learned more about car care for your car better from here. Thank you for sharing it and keep writing
Thanks Robert. Glad you found the information helpful!