YACT: Is it bad to drive a new car a long distance?

[Shimmishim]

i'm planning on getting a new car soon but will have to drive it about 800 miles (12-13 hours only if i stop for gas and bathroom breaks) back to school.

Are there any tips to driving a new car a long distance?

Should I even be worried?

Any mechanics or car experts care to ring in?

thanks.

 

[buck]

How much time between buying it and the trip?

 

[archcommus]

Isn't that what the car's made to do?

 

[jlbenedict]

are you serious?


don't belive all that "break the car in" crap...

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: buck
How much time between buying it and the trip?

err... less than a day

so the car will have less than 100 miles on it before i start driving it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

As long as you don't race it, that should be fine. Fleet sales do this all the time. The trick is not to race the engine so the seals seal properly... Keep your speed under 60mph.

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
are you serious?


don't belive all that "break the car in" crap...

really?

hmm...

maybe it is a rumor. i don't know. that's why i'm asking.

 

[Mr N8]

The only thing they tell you to do is avoid using the cruise control for any length of time before something like 2000-3000 miles. Cars really don't have a break-in period anymore.

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: Mr N8
The only thing they tell you to do is avoid using the cruise control for any length of time before something like 2000-3000 miles. Cars really don't have a break-in period anymore.

so driving 65-75 should be okay?

where i'm going to be driving the speed limit is between 65 to 70 usually and then there's a stretch in oklahoma where it's 75.

 

[Specop 007]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
As long as you don't race it, that should be fine. Fleet sales do this all the time. The trick is not to race the engine so the seals seal properly... Keep your speed under 60mph.

Yes, because you dont want your tailight coolant to leak out due to the air currents created by going over 60.



Your thinking of new tire break in. He can go as damned fast as he wants, engine break in is not about the speed of the car.

Personally, I dont put much weight into it. I know guys who've bought brand new cars and had them at the track the next day.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim

Originally posted by: Mr N8
The only thing they tell you to do is avoid using the cruise control for any length of time before something like 2000-3000 miles. Cars really don't have a break-in period anymore.

so driving 65-75 should be okay?

where i'm going to be driving the speed limit is between 65 to 70 usually and then there's a stretch in oklahoma where it's 75.

Yes...unless it's an Aveo, you may not be able to get to that speed in the fist 4-5 hours.

 

[Shimmishim]

great!

thanks for the help everyone.

 

[j00fek]

Originally posted by: archcommus
Isn't that what the car's made to do?

no sh!t, why would you ask such a question?

 

[Pepsi90919]

no

 

[pinion9]

Engines DO have a break in period. We just bought a new vehicle and were told not to use cruise control for about 500 miles or so. The idea is that you need to vary your RPMs (which really equates to speed, unless you want to downshift while driving.)

Will your car be ruined if you don't properly break in the engine? Probably not. Will you get better gas mileage and longer engine life by doing so? Yes.

 

[jupiter57]

When you get your new car, there will be an Owners Manual in it.
Take the time to read it and do as the manufacturer suggests regarding "Breaking In"

This will not only give you the answer you are seeking here, but will also help with your warranty and, as pinion 9 states, help you get better gas mileage and longer engine life.

 

[thirdeye]

You should be ok as long as you vary your speed.

 

[homestarmy]

Just change your oil after the first few hundred miles. That is the most crucial thing.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: archcommus
Isn't that what the car's made to do?

That's kind of what I was wondering.


"Is it ok to use a computer to perform numeric calculations?"

 

[JulesMaximus]

No, just don't keep the engine at the same rpm for long periods of time.

 

[AdamK47]

Don't mash the go pedal and you will be fine.

 

[brtspears2]

My manual says there is no break in period. For the first 500-600 miles, do not race the engine, and vary your speed. I drove my new car between 60-75 mph, shifting at 3k rpm.

 

[tw1164]

I think you have to do the same thing w/ your CD(DVD)-R, you have to record the discs at various speeds for the first couple hundred...I think I read it on the internet or something

 

[hoorah]

Originally posted by: brtspears2
My manual says there is no break in period. For the first 500-600 miles, do not race the engine, and vary your speed. I drove my new car between 60-75 mph, shifting at 3k rpm.

The purpose behind varying your engine speed is because if you have a variable valve train, the manufacturer recommends you move the camshafts back and forth a bit in the first few hundred miles, at least thats what I've been told.

 

[MustangSVT]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
are you serious?


don't belive all that "break the car in" crap...

lol .. yeah listen to this auto "guru" lmao...