How to Care for New Vehicles
Your new car probably looks and feels perfect at the time you drove it off the auto lot.
To keep new vehicles in superior condition, it's necessary to break them in gently.
Learn what to do and what not to do as you begin driving your automobile.
Initial Engine Operation The initial engine revving that is required for piston rings and cylinder walls has already occurred thanks to the person who drove your car off the production line and into the storage parking lot.
This was the time when the engine was revved to open the throttle all the way up, necessary for creating the correct seal between piston rings and cylinder bores.
Nevertheless, for optimal breaking in, avoid driving new vehicles at constant speeds for the initial 1,000 miles.
This means typical stop-and-go driving will be perfectly fine, but you should avoid a trek across the country with the cruise control set.
Oil Changes Change the oil after only about 20 miles of driving.
You might think that at this point the oil would be unchanged due to the small number of miles you've driven.
However, the new engine will be releasing tiny pieces of metal, thanks to the surfaces that are rubbing inside it.
It's best to change out this oil after the initial rubbing to ensure that the particles don't travel through engine components.
The rubbing will dissipate after the first 20 miles, and you can expect normal conditions after this point.
Brakes Your brakes should not require much special treatment to break them in.
After the first few miles you drive, you can expect the texture that was on the brake pads to wear down slightly to reveal the unused brake pad material, ready to enable reliable braking whenever you need it.
If possible, avoid complete stops from high speeds and riding your brakes for the first 200 miles of driving.
Protecting the Interior The new vinyl and plastic in the interior of new vehicles needs to receive special care.
Instead of applying a protective product over these surfaces, allow them to breathe for a month or two.
Sealing these surfaces too quickly could lead to cracking over time.
Do apply an upholstery protective product over interior carpeting and upholstery, though, to prevent dirt and stains from becoming permanent.
Protecting the Exterior The paint on the exterior of your car has been cured to ensure that it stays strong.
You can take one more step to ensure that the paint resists chipping.
Apply a product that adds a protective layer over the painted surfaces.
This special film will help eliminate chips from rocks and stones.
It's also beneficial to apply a high-quality car wax to the paint to minimize damage from dirt, debris, and insects.
New vehicles are significant investments, so it's important to take steps to protect your expenditure and make it last as long as possible.
A few simple tasks can make a big difference in the way your car adjusts to life on the road.
To keep new vehicles in superior condition, it's necessary to break them in gently.
Learn what to do and what not to do as you begin driving your automobile.
Initial Engine Operation The initial engine revving that is required for piston rings and cylinder walls has already occurred thanks to the person who drove your car off the production line and into the storage parking lot.
This was the time when the engine was revved to open the throttle all the way up, necessary for creating the correct seal between piston rings and cylinder bores.
Nevertheless, for optimal breaking in, avoid driving new vehicles at constant speeds for the initial 1,000 miles.
This means typical stop-and-go driving will be perfectly fine, but you should avoid a trek across the country with the cruise control set.
Oil Changes Change the oil after only about 20 miles of driving.
You might think that at this point the oil would be unchanged due to the small number of miles you've driven.
However, the new engine will be releasing tiny pieces of metal, thanks to the surfaces that are rubbing inside it.
It's best to change out this oil after the initial rubbing to ensure that the particles don't travel through engine components.
The rubbing will dissipate after the first 20 miles, and you can expect normal conditions after this point.
Brakes Your brakes should not require much special treatment to break them in.
After the first few miles you drive, you can expect the texture that was on the brake pads to wear down slightly to reveal the unused brake pad material, ready to enable reliable braking whenever you need it.
If possible, avoid complete stops from high speeds and riding your brakes for the first 200 miles of driving.
Protecting the Interior The new vinyl and plastic in the interior of new vehicles needs to receive special care.
Instead of applying a protective product over these surfaces, allow them to breathe for a month or two.
Sealing these surfaces too quickly could lead to cracking over time.
Do apply an upholstery protective product over interior carpeting and upholstery, though, to prevent dirt and stains from becoming permanent.
Protecting the Exterior The paint on the exterior of your car has been cured to ensure that it stays strong.
You can take one more step to ensure that the paint resists chipping.
Apply a product that adds a protective layer over the painted surfaces.
This special film will help eliminate chips from rocks and stones.
It's also beneficial to apply a high-quality car wax to the paint to minimize damage from dirt, debris, and insects.
New vehicles are significant investments, so it's important to take steps to protect your expenditure and make it last as long as possible.
A few simple tasks can make a big difference in the way your car adjusts to life on the road.