HOW TO RUN-IN YOUR NEW CAR THE FIRST 1000 KM

Is it true that today’s advanced automotive technology which boasts state-of-the-art engines has completely obviated the car owners’ need to run-in their brand new car?

Your brand new car is certainly your pride and joy, especially if you have wished for it for so long. However a new car demands special treatment to give its components the desired longevity and durability.

Engine Break-In or Run-In marks a critical period in which a brand new car adapts itself with the real road condition. Many people say that nowadays engine break-in or run-in is no longer necessary.

High level of precision and complex testing in the factory give modern car engines the ability to give the best performace even when they were on still on the assembly line. Car manufacturers’ proclivity to use materials of low thermal expansion and better structural strength since 1990’s has further eliminated the necessity to perform engine break-in for new car.

Nevertheless, you still need to lavish your new ride with some special treatments. Keep in mind that cars are man-made. Some systems could be faulty in spite of uncompromising quality assurance methods that they apply at the car manufacturers. So it’s a good idea to take heed of the following steps until your car completes its first 1000 km run.

1. Recheck Your Car’s Vital Components - It’s a healthy habit to regularly check and recheck the level of your car’s engine lubricant, transmission lubricant, wiper and brake fluids. Also, see if the lights, brakes and engine clutch work well when you receive the car from the dealership.
2. Check Your Car Tire’s Air Pressure - Upon delivery, normally the car manufacturers give maximum pressure to their cars. They do it to make sure the tires are in best condition when they reach the customers. Your car dealer, however, sometimes forget to readjust the tires’ air pressure. Consequently, you feel that the new car is hard to handle. That is why make sure you check the tire air pressure to comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
3. Restrict the RPMs of Your New Car- Despite their high level of precision, the moving parts of your car’s engine need an adjustment period before those components reach the maximum operating condition. The only exception is this: your car does not need to travel long distances in order to make sure the engine’s moving parts ‘click’ with each other to deliver the best performance. Drive smoothly, because the moving parts of your new vehicle require some adjustment period until they reach the optimum working condition. For example, piston rings need to adjust themselves with the cylinders; camshafts need some time to be able to work in perfect harmony with the rocker arms. Try to alternate gears; avoid using the same gear for a long time. Make sure all parts of the gearbox are evenly lubricated. Frequent gear shifts are necessary for new cars until they reach the first 1000 kilometers.
4. Avoid Sudden Braking - Sudden braking must be avoided except for emergency situations. This is utterly important for safety reasons. Besides that, you need some time to familiarize yourself with your car’s braking characteristic. Getting used to your car’s braking system is really useful; potential problems on this part can be detected earlier thus preventing unwanted risks.
5. Engine Brake - Using the engine’s retarding forces to slow down your car must be avoided when you are running-in your car. The reason is clear: when you do this, the temperature of the engine’s moving parts will surge drastically, forcing the new components to bear the extra strain resulting from the sudden thermal expansion. Only after your car nearly passed its first 1000 kilometers can you engine break it.
6. Familiarise Yourself with Your New Car’s Features - Every car comes up with different features. To name a few: it has its own model or make, specific type, and even specific pricing. Learn all that you can learn about your car’s features: does it have power steering system? What about ABS and EBD? Does it regale you with audio system? Get familiar with the lights and indicators, go to the smallest details like the parking sensors. Your Car’s User Maual explains and describe all these features. The dealership surely gives the manual to you on the day of delivery. Make sure to check all those features and see if they work normally and not show signs of malfunctioning.
7. Never Exceed Your Car’s Load Capacity - As a matter of fact, this rule applies to both new and used cars. If the manual says that your car seats a maximum number of five people, never attempt to carry 7 or eight passengers. This is utterly important to guarantee your family’s safety and to ensure the durability of your vehicle’s wheel assembly.
8. First Service at 1000 Km - The first 1000 kms marks the end of your new car’s run-in. This first service is essential, both for the owner and the car manufacturer. They can monitor their products latest condition after leaving the assembly line. Therefore, never skip the first service for your car. The mechanics of the authorized service center will thoroughly check and examine your new car’s components, starting from the exterior and interior down to the engine bay, every single bolts and nuts, hoses, electrical connection and mechanical joints as well as other components for the sole purposes of preventing malfunctioning. If you have any complaints about or see any damages to your new car during the first 1000 kilometers or , do not hesitate to contact the authorized service center so that they can immediately detect potential problems. Even though the user manual does not recommend change of engine lubricant, it is advisable that you change the engine lubricant and the oil filter.

New cars’ engines need an adjustment period, during which tiny particles of metals resulting from the frictions inside the engine might contaminate the lubricant. The result is obvious: your new car’s engine lubricant will look dark and very dirty. If you keep it like that, those tiny metal particles can potentially scratch the combustion chambers and even further damage them.

In addition to changing the engine oil, there are a few more things to keep in mind: avoid speeding at a constant speed and never shift the gears at high RPMs, because the moving parts of your car engine are making the necessary adaptations before they reach the optimum working condition.