Brand new car, thrash it or drive like a Sunday driver?

True Romance

So what's the general consensus on running in new cars? Push it hard from day one or nice and steady for a certain amount of miles?

Phil Hinton

The general rule is below 4K revs for the first 500 miles and varied revs if driving on motorways etc. and then once warm the occasional high rev for the next 500 miles. Once you have hit 1000 you should be fine. But this will vary for turbocharged, naturally aspirated and so on and some state that once the engine and transmission are warm then anything goes. It's common sense really. There are no hard and fast rules, just sensible running in. I'm currently running in a new V8 and have done the first 500 miles as above and the first long run this weekend.

494930

Depends on whether you want it to produce more power or last longer.

un1eash

Once oil is warm give it hell.

keylion

I'd say somewhere in between. Just drive normally but wait until it's warmed up before any hard driving.

gibbsy

Hands up who can remember cars with ''Running in. Please pass'' signs in the back window.

I try to drive under heavy revs for the first 500 or so but with so many steep hills where I live, including up to my house, that's almost impossible.

nvingo

My only brand new car acquired in 1988 had no 'running in' restrictions or advice, just a preliminary service/check at 1500 miles.
Surely if you drive like running in always, the engine and transmission life should be extended,.
The big killer must be commutes that just exceed the distance it takes to warm up.

The only new advice then, was that it's no longer needed to warm up before moving off, that's just wasted fuel.

Desmo

Depends on how long you're going to keep the car and what the manufacturer recommends. Also depends on if it's got an engine or it's electric

Inked

I don’t keep my cars long term so it’s always been ring it’s neck from new for me!

djbsom

Your car handbook will spell it out for you but generally - 1st 500 miles - no harsh acceleration or over 2500 rpm.
2nd 500 miles - no harsh acceleration or over 3500 rpm.
After first check/oil change - drive normally.