Breaking in a new car: How to keep your car for a long time
Have you fulfilled your dream of a new car and want to break it in properly? There are a few things to keep in mind. With the following tips, you can take good care of your new companion.
The days when automobiles were given special lubricating oil for breaking in are long gone. At that time, the engine parts had to be carefully ground over thousands of kilometers. Thanks to optimized manufacturing techniques, vehicle components are now produced much more precisely. This is why the individual mechanical components mesh more smoothly from the outset than before. Nevertheless, there are still a few things to consider today to make your new car's start on the road as pleasant as possible and to increase its service life.
Why do I have to break in the new car?
Despite precise production methods, pistons and cylinders often have minimal unevenness. The brakes also need some time to develop their full braking performance. Springs and shock absorbers initially provide a rather rough driving pleasure. Last but not least, the tires should also be broken in up to 150 kilometers. If you go full throttle right from the start, you're not only jeopardizing the lifespan of your new car. Until complete grip and braking ability are achieved, you should drive carefully for the sake of yourself and the road users.
How do I break in my new car correctly?
Step number one: Read the owner's manual of your new car thoroughly and follow the information in it. What the focus is on when breaking in can vary depending on the model. After 2,000 kilometers, your new car is completely broken in. We'll tell you which car parts you should pay special attention to when breaking in.
Gearbox and motor: Increase speed bit by bit
Give the car transmission time to grind in despite more precise factory production. Use only two-thirds of the available speed for the first 1,000 kilometres. After that, you can increase them bit by bit. Vary the speed and drive on different routes, such as country roads, highways or hilly terrain. This allows your vehicle to get used to different load conditions.
For new diesel cars, a maximum value of 3,500 rpm applies when running-in, for gasoline cars it is 4,500 rpm.
And with the automatic transmission?
If you drive with an automatic transmission, an intelligent controller takes over the regulation of the engine speed for them. When you press the accelerator pedal all the way, the transmission automatically shifts into a lower gear immediately. Experts speak of a so-called "kickdown". You should avoid such kickdowns in the early stages. This means that you don't immediately call up the maximum engine power via the accelerator pedal.
Tires: Carefully remove release agent
Have you already wondered about the shine on the tires of your new car? Many car tires are provided with an oily release agent so that they can be removed more easily from the tire mold. On the first 150 kilometres, your vehicle therefore has an increased risk of slipping. Drive carefully around curves and be especially careful in leaves and wet. When the tread is no longer shiny – after around 150 kilometres – the tyres have developed their optimum grip.
Brakes: no hard braking manoeuvres
Bei einem Neuwagen musst du zu Beginn mit mehr Kraft aufs Bremspedal drücken. Erst nach 200 bis 300 Kilometern erzeugt die Bremsanlage in etwa die gleiche Bremswirkung wie bei einem eingefahrenen Wagen. Vermeide zu Beginn wenn möglich Vollbremsungen, um die Bremsen nicht unnötig zu belasten.
Fahrwerk: werkseitig straff eingestellt
Mechanische Bauteile wie Stossdämpfer, Federn und Achsengelenke spielen ab Werk oft nicht optimal zusammen. Da sie werkseitig straff eingestellt sind, ist das Fahrgefühl beim Einfahren deines Neuwagens eher hart. Geh sachte mit deinem neuen Auto um, damit sich die Federn gemeinsam einschwingen können. Belade das Fahrzeug ausserdem nicht zu schwer und vermeide Schlaglöcher.
Neuwagengeruch: lüften, lüften, lüften
Einige lieben den Geruch frisch hergestellter Textilien und Kunststoffe von Neuwagen. Andere empfinden ihn als stark störend. Gehörst du zur zweiten Gruppe? Dann lüfte deinen Neuwagen regelmässig und der unangenehme Geruch verfliegt nach kurzer Zeit.
Was ebenfalls gegen den störenden Geruch helfen kann, ist Backsoda. Stelle dafür einfach eine Schüssel mit ein paar Löffeln Backsoda ins Auto und lass diese einen Tag lang stehen.
Tipp für Autos mit Turbolader
Der Turbolader hat im Auto die Aufgabe, die Verbrennungsluft, die dem Motor zugeführt wird, zu verdichten. Turbos sind da, um Vollgas gefahren zu werden. Das ist auch in der Einfahrphase angebracht. Hast du den Turbolader stark beansprucht, solltest du ihm eine längere Abkühlphase gönnen. Ansonsten kann ein Hitzestau entstehen, der dem bis zu 1’000 Grad heissen Lader auf Dauer stark zusetzt.
How to break in hybrid and electric cars correctly
Electric motors usually contain only one moving part – the rotor running in the bearings. This means that there is no risk of numerous mechanical parts rubbing against each other. You can extend the engine from the beginning. However, the conventional guidelines for breaking in a new car correctly apply to brakes, chassis and tyres.
The situation is similar with hybrid cars. A hybrid usually combines an electric motor with a combustion engine. The engine is usually fully ready to drive from the factory. In any case, always read the user manual to be on the safe side.
For a long friendship with your mobile companion
Thanks to optimised factory settings, the right running-in technique is no longer essential for the survival of your new car. However, if you are careful with the gearbox and engine, tires, brakes and chassis at the beginning, you and your mobile companions will have a long friendship.