Track Car Servicing - How Often
Discussion
Just wondering what the general consensus is for maintenance really?
The track car that a friend and I share is looked after quite well, having a thorough inspection between days but in terms of general servicing, while we changed all of the fluids before the first track day we did in it, we've not changed them since.
I had expected to be doing the oil every other track day, but 5 track days in now and around 1,000 track miles (and another 1,000 road miles) and the oil still looks perfect so we figured we'd leave it for now.
We've gone through 2 sets of front pads, however.
What do you guys do? I'm sure the car model makes a big difference with this.
The track car that a friend and I share is looked after quite well, having a thorough inspection between days but in terms of general servicing, while we changed all of the fluids before the first track day we did in it, we've not changed them since.
I had expected to be doing the oil every other track day, but 5 track days in now and around 1,000 track miles (and another 1,000 road miles) and the oil still looks perfect so we figured we'd leave it for now.
We've gone through 2 sets of front pads, however.
What do you guys do? I'm sure the car model makes a big difference with this.
I liken track miles to being equivalent to at least x5 road miles & hence on our E46 Compact we do oil & all filters every year (doing about 2k total miles a year with a split of about 2/3rds as road miles). The brake fluids get changed every other year although it is racing brake fluid.
Oil and brake fluid every three Trackdays and gearbox oil once a year. With whatever road miles in between. Not a daily.
I’m in a Honda so with all the top ups it probably works out an oil change every trackday lol
I always have a spare set of pads and just monitor them. Car only weighs a ton so it’s not a big consumable.
I’m in a Honda so with all the top ups it probably works out an oil change every trackday lol
I always have a spare set of pads and just monitor them. Car only weighs a ton so it’s not a big consumable.
TREMAiNE said:
We've gone through 2 sets of front pads, however.
My advice would be invest in better pads.The likes of RS29/DS1.11 would easily last me over a year of days on each of the cars I have used both one, which, if nothing else saves time under the car.
Yes they cost 2 x EBC/DS2500/Mintex 1144, but then the savings in man/hours were well worth it, never mind the chalk/cheese performance advantage.
General fluid/filter service every year, gearbox/PS fluid/Brake fluid every second year & like you, a good crawl round underneath/under the bonnet between days.
as a rule pf thumb, annual full service of plugs, oils, fluids and filters. Pollen optional, and sparks biannually.
then keep an eye on lights, levels and brakes.
then after each track day check dampers, springs and suspension components - change accordingly.
use the MOT to check for other things like brake lines, corrosion etc,
then keep an eye on lights, levels and brakes.
then after each track day check dampers, springs and suspension components - change accordingly.
use the MOT to check for other things like brake lines, corrosion etc,
On my clio it's engine oil and filter every 2 track days. Gearbox oil every 6 outings or once per year, pads are changed at 75% worn (the PFC 097 pads on it currently have done 6 full days and one evening session and are only 50% worn). Brake fluid is ATE type 200 and changed once per year.
I've no idea about trackdays but I'm sure oil can last more than effectively 200 miles?
For all the people saying to change it after every day or every other day.
I believe you can do oil analysis for around 40 quid so probably worth doing an oil analysis after 2 trackdays and then using that to base your servicing on.
For all the people saying to change it after every day or every other day.
I believe you can do oil analysis for around 40 quid so probably worth doing an oil analysis after 2 trackdays and then using that to base your servicing on.
CarCrazyDad said:
I've no idea about trackdays but I'm sure oil can last more than effectively 200 miles?
For all the people saying to change it after every day or every other day.
I believe you can do oil analysis for around 40 quid so probably worth doing an oil analysis after 2 trackdays and then using that to base your servicing on.
it's not the degradation of the oil that's the issue, its the sludge collected in the sump pan that needs removing, or at least prevented from building up to a level that might damage an engine. The chances of that happening are a lot less if the oil is change regularly.For all the people saying to change it after every day or every other day.
I believe you can do oil analysis for around 40 quid so probably worth doing an oil analysis after 2 trackdays and then using that to base your servicing on.
You're going to get both extremes of what people do here...
I do mine usually once a year, which is generally between 2.5k and 5k miles. This includes driving to and from the trackday as well as mileage on track.
I use Fuchs engine and box oil, and it always comes out dirty (as it's meant to). For brake fluid, you won't match Castrol SRF for performance and longevity.
I do mine usually once a year, which is generally between 2.5k and 5k miles. This includes driving to and from the trackday as well as mileage on track.
I use Fuchs engine and box oil, and it always comes out dirty (as it's meant to). For brake fluid, you won't match Castrol SRF for performance and longevity.
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
CarCrazyDad said:
I've no idea about trackdays but I'm sure oil can last more than effectively 200 miles?
For all the people saying to change it after every day or every other day.
I believe you can do oil analysis for around 40 quid so probably worth doing an oil analysis after 2 trackdays and then using that to base your servicing on.
it's not the degradation of the oil that's the issue, its the sludge collected in the sump pan that needs removing, or at least prevented from building up to a level that might damage an engine. The chances of that happening are a lot less if the oil is change regularly.For all the people saying to change it after every day or every other day.
I believe you can do oil analysis for around 40 quid so probably worth doing an oil analysis after 2 trackdays and then using that to base your servicing on.
If it's fine for 18,000 miles in a new M3 it's surely fine for 1500-2000 miles on track?
As I said I suspect the only proof will be to do an oil analysis after
Some Googling -
https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-and-drivers-edu...
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13906...
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18494...
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996-turbo-gt2/...
Seems that the whole 500 Mile oil change is a load of twaddle.
Of course if you want to change oil that often, go ahead, but you're wasting money it seems based on the above data.
How long is a piece of string?
Standard engines vs modded will make a big difference, and how marginal the oil cooling is.
e.g. I run an ST150 and it has a standard fit oil/water cooler. 3 days including a hot one at Donington and the oil is still in lovely condition. It'll be changed over winter anyway along with the rest of the fluids, but no way does it need doing so regularly.
By contrast I used to have a 172 which seemed to be quite hard on its oil temps, I'd change that more regularly.
Standard engines vs modded will make a big difference, and how marginal the oil cooling is.
e.g. I run an ST150 and it has a standard fit oil/water cooler. 3 days including a hot one at Donington and the oil is still in lovely condition. It'll be changed over winter anyway along with the rest of the fluids, but no way does it need doing so regularly.
By contrast I used to have a 172 which seemed to be quite hard on its oil temps, I'd change that more regularly.
Krikkit said:
How long is a piece of string?
Standard engines vs modded will make a big difference, and how marginal the oil cooling is.
e.g. I run an ST150 and it has a standard fit oil/water cooler. 3 days including a hot one at Donington and the oil is still in lovely condition. It'll be changed over winter anyway along with the rest of the fluids, but no way does it need doing so regularly.
By contrast I used to have a 172 which seemed to be quite hard on its oil temps, I'd change that more regularly.
As I said, I suspect without doing an oil analysis, you won't know for sure for your specific engineStandard engines vs modded will make a big difference, and how marginal the oil cooling is.
e.g. I run an ST150 and it has a standard fit oil/water cooler. 3 days including a hot one at Donington and the oil is still in lovely condition. It'll be changed over winter anyway along with the rest of the fluids, but no way does it need doing so regularly.
By contrast I used to have a 172 which seemed to be quite hard on its oil temps, I'd change that more regularly.
But the links above, has enough data to show you certainly don't need to be changing your oil every trackday or even every other trackday...
E-bmw said:
My advice would be invest in better pads.
The likes of RS29/DS1.11 would easily last me over a year of days on each of the cars I have used both one, which, if nothing else saves time under the car.
Entirely depends on the car, circuit and one's driving style.The likes of RS29/DS1.11 would easily last me over a year of days on each of the cars I have used both one, which, if nothing else saves time under the car.
If you're in a Caterham it's not inconceivable to get a year out of your consumables. Then again I know people with much heavier cars who get through a set of pads and tyres every 1-2 trackdays at places like Silverstone and Snett which are hard on brakes.
brillomaster said:
Oil change once a year. Brake fluid change every two years. Brake pads/ discs when required.
Car only does max 2k a year, so really i think fluids every track day is complete overkill.
Obviously fluid levels and brake pads get checked / topped up before every trackday.
Brake fluid every 1-2 years in fine. I do quite a few TD's and never a problem.Car only does max 2k a year, so really i think fluids every track day is complete overkill.
Obviously fluid levels and brake pads get checked / topped up before every trackday.
CarCrazyDad said:
And does that sludge accumulate after 500 miles of hard use? I doubt it.
If it's fine for 18,000 miles in a new M3 it's surely fine for 1500-2000 miles on track?
Seems that the whole 500 Mile oil change is a load of twaddle.
Of course if you want to change oil that often, go ahead, but you're wasting money it seems based on the above data.
The whole point is to change the oil before the sludge occurs, Extended maintenance intervals on BMW M3's are their not because the oil is amazing but because the manufacturer need to find a way to cut the service and maintenance or monthly fully maintained contract prices, so they extend out oil changes and other servicing items. A road car might take it as it's not used on track each day, but it doesn't do it any favours. If it's fine for 18,000 miles in a new M3 it's surely fine for 1500-2000 miles on track?
Seems that the whole 500 Mile oil change is a load of twaddle.
Of course if you want to change oil that often, go ahead, but you're wasting money it seems based on the above data.
In any case the key thing is to ensure you don't run low on oil, which would be symptomatic of a general lack of care.
Very car dependant, highly strung turbo 4 pot with 4 litres of oil getting very hot or a pretty relaxed na big engine with nearer 12 litres etc.
Brake fluid, I've had to flush calipers out after every trackday, with single pot small set up working hard, but big stuff can last a year.
I'd say at a minimum after every trackday car needs jacking up, all wheel bearings, ball joints, drop links, rack ends & mounts, suspension mounts checked, a good once over of every thing etc, stuff like exhaust hangers that melt at track temps, but again if it's someone pootling along waay off the pace on road tyres is a different thing to running slicks & being on it.
Brake fluid, I've had to flush calipers out after every trackday, with single pot small set up working hard, but big stuff can last a year.
I'd say at a minimum after every trackday car needs jacking up, all wheel bearings, ball joints, drop links, rack ends & mounts, suspension mounts checked, a good once over of every thing etc, stuff like exhaust hangers that melt at track temps, but again if it's someone pootling along waay off the pace on road tyres is a different thing to running slicks & being on it.
E-bmw said:
TREMAiNE said:
We've gone through 2 sets of front pads, however.
My advice would be invest in better pads.The likes of RS29/DS1.11 would easily last me over a year of days on each of the cars I have used both one, which, if nothing else saves time under the car.
Yes they cost 2 x EBC/DS2500/Mintex 1144, but then the savings in man/hours were well worth it, never mind the chalk/cheese performance advantage.
General fluid/filter service every year, gearbox/PS fluid/Brake fluid every second year & like you, a good crawl round underneath/under the bonnet between days.
The EBC Yellowstuff we're using may only last 300 track-miles, however, they're only £90 for the fronts (rears have barely worn).
The only other high-end pads we can find were nearly a grand, that's 11 sets of Yellowstuff - anywhere from 20-25 track days. While they may well last that long, or longer and be worth the additional cost, we don't want to fork out £500 on pads for them to end up lasting less than Yellowstuff £ for £ - or we sell the car after a few months and lose that money. I know it takes time to change and that should be factored in, but we're happy to do that - and spending £45 each every 2 or 3 track days is much more palatable than spending £500 each in one go.
I'm no expert on brake pads etc, but from what we can find in our specific car, Yellowstuff does appear to be a decent compromise for performance/cost.
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