Should I change my oil before or after my track day?

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 07/24/2017 at 09:32 • Filed to: Track Day

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Morning Oppo. I’ve got my first track day this Friday and am not sure whether or not to change my oil before or after. I’m coming up really close on my next interval anyways; probably within a 1000 or so. What do you guys and gals think?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 09:38

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Thanks for the reminder, mines within a few 100kms of bing changed.

PartyPooper2012 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 09:41

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do you want to run your engine hard on used oil? Didn’t think so. Change your oil before.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 09:41

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Always before.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 07/24/2017 at 09:44

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Glad to remind you :p

random001 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 09:44

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The answer is yes.

Flavien Vidal > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 09:45

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Nah you’re good... I wouldn’t. If your interval were to be 2 or 3000 miles AGO, no... But it’s a track day, not an endurance race. You’re good.

random001 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 09:45

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The more complete answer is if you’re going to driving hard, and I mean balls out hard, for a few hours, change it before, and change it soon after. Your engine will thank you. I always did this in my Z06, and the engine never let me down.

Needmoargarage > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 09:47

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Before. Is it really worth the risk for saving a few dollars? I would change it on a shorter interval after as well.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Flavien Vidal 07/24/2017 at 09:53

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Found the person who doesn’t actually do track days...

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > random001 07/24/2017 at 09:59

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Presumably to doing so before and after?

random001 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 10:00

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Yes.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 10:01

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I’m on the change it before and after team.

Flavien Vidal > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 07/24/2017 at 10:03

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Huh? Do I need to list all the dozens I’ve done without ever breaking anything? Or is that ok? He has an oil change in 1000 miles. It’s his first track day. No he won’t break records, won’t push his engine to no end and yes, he’s good.

I drive a freaking rx-7. I know a thing or two about pushing engines and oil changes. He’s good.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Flavien Vidal 07/24/2017 at 10:11

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Why have that nagging worry about the oil being too old? Someone at their first event have enough on their mind, oil quality shouldn’t be worrying them. It’s $50 or so for some quality piece of mind that your car is in the best shape possible.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 10:14

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Definitely do it before. That way you’re not only on fresh oil, but you can make sure you’ve got the proper oil level. Too much or too little oil is bad news for high-G turns. You can probably do it afterwards too if you want to be safe, but I’d just count it as like 500-1000 miles of “use” and make your next change a bit earlier. Especially if you try and keep the mental discipline of not exceeding a certain rev range. Might’ve just been me, but on my first track day I purposely tried to keep it a grand or so below redline so I always had a bit of room in case I didn’t notice or had a brain fart. Also to keep it a bit slower and focus more on positioning. But then again I haven’t done more than half a dozen track days so take that advice as you will.

Flavien Vidal > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 07/24/2017 at 10:18

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I don’t care, I wouldn’t worry... I’m asked if it’s ok and I answer... Iv personally wouldn’t bother. That’s all.

I usually change tires and oil AFTER track days... If his oil isn’t that old (1000 miles before recommended change isn’t), then I wouldn’t. I’d change it right after, sure, but not before.

And if he knows when the “recommended oil change” is due, my guess is that the car he plans to use is very much new-ish. So yeah, he is good.

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 10:31

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Chances are tracking your car is going to heat your oil up more than anything else you do. Towards the end of its service life oil starts to degrade which could mean a thinner, less protective oil.

If it were me, I’d change my oil before.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 10:48

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Which track?

Not that I need that info to answer the question any as everybody else who has spoken up is correct but if you’re thinking of putting off the oil change until after at least check how it’s looking and if it doesn’t look like new don’t put it off.

I’m just curious to which track as I’m sitting at an airport and feel like looking at a track map and day dreaming a little.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief 07/24/2017 at 11:00

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Waterford Hills

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 07/24/2017 at 11:01

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Will do! Have you been to Waterford Hills?

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 11:02

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Nope, I know that it is a tight course and hard on brakes. Take it easy out there.

BeaterGT > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 07/24/2017 at 11:09

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All we have to do is throw an extra quart in :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 07/24/2017 at 11:29

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Will do. I won’t be going anywhere near 90%

PG; the scalpel wielder > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 16:47

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I would do it prior and then just shorten your interval for your next change. You often won’t go as hard as you think on your first day.

I learnt my lesson after depriving the precious vanos God from oil in a tight hook turn and threw a million CELs, which at the very least ruins your confidence for the rest of the day.

CaptDale - is secretly British > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/24/2017 at 18:05

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Both