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Einfahren

Einfahren is a German verb meaning to run in or to break in. It is used to describe the process of bringing a new machine, engine, vehicle, or system into normal operation after installation, manufacture, or overhaul. The term is common in automotive, railway, and industrial contexts. The goal of the Einfahren period is to establish proper tolerances and lubrication, to seat moving parts, and to detect early signs of trouble before full service begins.

In practice, Einfahren involves controlled operation with restricted stresses. For engines and transmissions, operators limit speed

After successful Einfahren, equipment may enter normal service, sometimes under a so-called Einfahrphase defined by the

and
load,
avoid
full
throttle,
and
gradually
increase
revolutions
and
power
during
a
prescribed
number
of
operating
hours
or
distance.
Bearings,
gears,
seals,
and
piston
rings
wear
in
during
this
period,
forming
load-bearing
surfaces
and
oil
films.
In
rail
and
heavy
equipment
contexts,
Einfahren
may
include
systematic
testing
of
propulsion,
braking,
electrical,
and
control
systems,
along
with
monitoring
of
temperatures
and
vibration.
The
length
and
conditions
of
Einfahren
vary
by
manufacturer,
component,
and
maintenance
philosophy.
operator,
with
follow-up
inspections
and
documentation.
The
term
is
commonly
translated
as
run-in
or
break-in
in
English,
and
it
denotes
a
standard
industry
practice
intended
to
ensure
reliability
and
longevity
of
new
or
rebuilt
assets.