Just purchased a new car I will be taking to the track at the end of this month and wanted to know if I should change the oil before I go. The car is new with only 700 miles and should have 1500 by the end of this March. I didn't know whether to go ahead and change the oil before or go ahead and leave the current break-in oil and race with that on the road course.

THanks for you help

 

Seems like a good idea...

K

 

Be very careful. Some cars are shipped with an additive package to aid in break-in. I would want to know what the car company wants you to do as to how many miles before changing it out. Honda, at one time, was somewhat particular about doing it at 1000. Some carmakers use regular oil-so go ahead and change it and the filter. Definitely do it after the track event even if you do it beforehand.
Safe racing

 

you're racing a brand new car? not gonna let it break in?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jc836 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... Definitely do it after the track event even if you do it beforehand. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Now this is where I differ: I don't believe that we need to change oil as often as many people do when they run on the track, with modern engine technology and modern oils.

K

 

Kirk-my reason is due to the fact the engine is indeed NEW. There is no way, even with the technologu used to cast blocks, that every little piece of crud is shaken out during assembly and production runup. THis is a NEW car with components that should be given a chance to marry properly. I do agree that overall it would be overkill to do it just before and after an event if broken in fully.
Then there is the lady with a brand new Z06 that ran an HPDE at Pocono and only added Mobil 1 as needed for the weekend. She drove home to NYC and changed the oil. We change the oil in the CRX before a track event because it sits for long periods between and I'm more comfy with it that way. Remember that it is a combination of things that degrade the oil-the biggest is actually heat and running time; the additive package breaks down, but the oil is still oil.
Yes-I too question the logic of taking a brand new car on track-but it is his choice.
Just my view and experiences.

 

Thanks for the tips. The car will have almost 2000 miles on it by the time it get to the course. The owner's manual says the break in is 600 miles, but it does not give any kind of indication to not change the oil within a certain period of time. I've heard both sides of the argument so it is somewhat confusing as to what the right thing to do it. Unless someone has some hard proof otherwise I'm going to put Amsoil synthetic in the car the day before I leave for the track.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sean_D_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Unless someone has some hard proof otherwise I'm going to put Amsoil synthetic in the car the day before I leave for the track.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope, no one does, really. There are many different theories out there: some will say taking your new car to the track is the best thing you can do, others will say its the worst. At this point my general attitude it "do whatever you like."
I think what you have planned is fine.