New car - running in ?

castle96

Just got new car a week ago. 200 miles now on clock. Never had a new car before and was wondering about 'running it in'. Is this 'necessary on new cars nowadays ? I have 300 miles on a motorway next week. What 'max' speed should I be doing ? Obviously don't intend t thrash it ever.
1.5 Mitsubushi Eclipse petrol manual

thanks for any advice

Herzlos

I don't think running is in a big deal these days. So just do posted speed limit, but go a bit easier on accelerating if you're concerned.

roddydogs

.? Back to the 50s? No running in needed these days.

castle96

well I am 67

Jimi.K.

roddydogs wrote: »

.? Back to the 50s? No running in needed these days.

Gosh, I hope some of roddydogs other 6000 posts are a bit more helpful than this one. Managed to belittle the OP and give completely incorrect information all in the space of 10 words.

A running in period is still recommended by the majority of car manufacturers.

This is straight from the 2019 Eclipse user manual (page 6-03):

"During the running-in period for the first 1000 km, it is advisable to drive your new vehicle using the following precautions as a guideline to aid long life as well as future economy and performance.

* Do not race the engine at high speeds.
* Avoid rapid starting, accelerating, braking and prolonged high-speed running.
* Do not race the engine at high speeds.
* Keep to the running-in speed limit shown below.
* Please note that the legal speed limits displayed must be adhered to.
* Do not exceed loading limits.
* Refrain from towing a trailer.

Shift point

---

Speed limit
1st gear

---

30 km/h (19 mph)
2nd gear

---

60 km/h (37 mph)
3rd gear

---

95 km/h (60 mph)
4th gear

---

125 km/h (78 mph)
5th gear

---

130 km/h (81 mph)
6th gear

---

130 km/h (81 mph)"

If you're going on a long motorway journey I would also vary your speed and RPM a bit on the route (i.e. don't sit at exactly 70mph and 2000rpm for hours on end). My last 2 new cars (a 2014 Hyundai and a 2016 BMW) both recommended avoiding sustained engine speed for prolonged periods during the running in period.

Hope this helps.

Car_54

Jimi.K. wrote: »

Gosh, I hope some of roddydogs other 6000 posts are a bit more helpful than this one. Managed to belittle the OP and give completely incorrect information all in the space of 10 words.

A running in period is still recommended by the majority of car manufacturers.

This is straight from the 2019 Eclipse user manual (page 6-03):

"During the running-in period for the first 1000 km, it is advisable to drive your new vehicle using the following precautions as a guideline to aid long life as well as future economy and performance.

* Do not race the engine at high speeds.
* Avoid rapid starting, accelerating, braking and prolonged high-speed running.
* Do not race the engine at high speeds.
* Keep to the running-in speed limit shown below.
* Please note that the legal speed limits displayed must be adhered to.
* Do not exceed loading limits.
* Refrain from towing a trailer.

Shift point

---

Speed limit
1st gear

---

30 km/h (19 mph)
2nd gear

---

60 km/h (37 mph)
3rd gear

---

95 km/h (60 mph)
4th gear

---

125 km/h (78 mph)
5th gear

---

130 km/h (81 mph)
6th gear

---

130 km/h (81 mph)"

If you're going on a long motorway journey I would also vary your speed and RPM a bit on the route (i.e. don't sit at exactly 70mph and 2000rpm for hours on end). My last 2 new cars (a 2014 Hyundai and a 2016 BMW) both recommended avoiding sustained engine speed for prolonged periods during the running in period.

Hope this helps.

That is astonishingly detailed, and not (in my experience) typical. My Audi manual simply tells you not to exceed 2/3 of maximum engine speed, and not to tow a trailer, for the first 1,000 km.


Others I've had have also mentioned "avoiding sustained engine speed for prolonged periods".

castle96

thanks folks, will take it easy. I still remember Dad and his Consul RLL 637, grinding in valves. How times have changed. Still cant work out what all the buttons are for or how to use the phone !

societys_child

* Do not race the engine at high speeds.
* Avoid rapid starting, accelerating, braking and prolonged high-speed running.
* Do not race the engine at high speeds.
* Keep to the running-in speed limit shown below.
* Please note that the legal speed limits displayed must be adhered to.
* Do not exceed loading limits.

So drive with some consideration, not like you just robbed a bank . .

. . and you need a sign for the back window

m0bov

Keep close eye on your oil, just take it easy.

MEM62

Running in is not necessary on new cars these days but I am a little old fashioned in that respect. Give a car a good start in life and it will give you fewer problems later in its life.

For the first 500 miles or so I would not labour the engine or work it too hard. Change speed and gears regularly and be gentle with the brakes until they bed in.

Nick_C

My car is 10 years old now, and I remember a similar polarity of views then.

I took it out for a late night drive on a quiet motorway (was about 1am). Ten minutes at 30, ten at 40 on the way to the motorway. Then the same at 50/60/70 on the motorway.

May not be necessary, but it won't do any harm and it gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with the vehicle on a quiet road.