Just wondering. I've heard this numerous times without getting a definite answer but why does it hurt an engine if you travel a long distance at constant load?

The weekend after I got the car, I drove it approx. 75 miles down I-95 travelling at a near constant speed +/- 10mph. Would this be a problem?

For the record I'm not having any problems, the car is great and is a pleasure to drive (compared to my old '95 neon that I recently blew a piston in ).

 

The whole point of breaking in is to vary your RPMS as well as your speed. You want to avoid driving at one constant engine speed which is what you do on long distances.

 

This applies to new engines. Varying the engine speed during break-in period prevents any one area on the piston or cylinder wall from getting burnished, which may cause the cylinder seats/rings to seal improperly. 75 miles with +/- 10 mph should be fine. 150+ miles without varying speed might not be a good idea. Usually changing from 5th gear to 4th gear periodically while at a constant road speed is helpful, just as long as you're not going too fast which sends the engine speed into the stratosphere when dropped into 4th.

Good luck, and I'm sure your car is fine. Just drive.

 

I did the same thing because I live in CT and had to buy my car in MA. I did + or - 10mph for 1.5 hours just to bring my new car home. Your car is fine.

 

Thanks everyone.

Looking forward to many years with this being my first foreign car.