Modern cars are more advanced than ever, and as such, tend to require less finesse to operate than older cars used to. However, they’re still mechanical machines, machines that need to be broken in, and BMW shows us how to do exactly that in their latest video.
The video is directed towards breaking in the drivetrains of their high-performance M cars (and features a lovely all-black M3 Touring as the star of the show), but the practices they preach are quite applicable to other vehicles as well. Abiding by these tips will not only protect your engine from damage in the beginning but should also help to extend its life in the long run.
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For the first 1,000 km (620 miles) of your car’s life, BMW recommends driving with alternating engine and vehicle speeds, while making sure not to exceed 5,000 rpm or 170 km/h (105 mph). It’s also best to avoid any situations that would place the engine under high load, even if it’s within the aforementioned speed and RPM limits. This includes things such as harsh downshifts and launch control.
From that first 1,000 km to 2,000 km (620 to 1,240 miles), it’s still recommended to drive with alternating engine and vehicle speeds, but the suggested limits are a bit more lenient at 6,000 rpm and 210 km/h (130 mph). BMW also encourages you to avoid full load on the engine in first, second, and third gear. Once the car reaches 2,000 km (1,240 miles), it’s time to bring it in for its first service, after which it should be ready to be driven to its full potential.