Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track
Thread Starter
H-T Order of Merit
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track
Okay, I just got back from three sunny days at Putnam Park (fun track, BTW) with Hoosier Chapter BMW CCA, and my odometer registered 350 actual track miles during that time. This gave me a pretty good basis for calculating the following rates of consumption:
Gas Consumption: Approximately 10 miles per gallon on the track. I took the total miles for all the tankfuls that contained track miles, subtracted the non-track mileage (to and from the gas station and the hotel), and subtracted the number of gallons for the non-track miles assuming 24 mpg. I was left with 34.8 gallons. Because I use 205/50-15 size R compound tires, the odometer reads 1.6 percent high, so I actually drove 344.4 track miles. Do the division and it comes out to 9.9 mpg.
Oil Consumption: One quart of Mobil 1 5W30 every 200 track miles.
Tire Consumption: I was using Yokohama A032R (hard compound) 205/50-15 tires. I rotate the tires front to back, but not side to side, and I keep track of miles on each tire. I reached the cords on both left-side tires. One had been heat cycled when purchased and had 1,916 total miles including 1,360 track miles on it. The other was not heat cycled and had 1,337 total miles including 955 track miles on it. The right side tires still have rubber on them - not a lot, but some - but both have about 200 fewer total miles and 100 fewer track miles than the corresponding left-side tires that wore out.
Notes:
1. It was sunny with temperatures in the mid eighties pretty much the entire time.
2. I use the standard "rule of thumb" regarding gearing, i.e. at all times keep it in the lowest gear possible without exceeding redline. At Putnam Park, this results in third gear on almost the entire track. I drop down to second for turn 7 but have to upshift at the end of the striped curbing at trackout of that turn. I upshift to fourth on the long front straight and drop down to third approaching the entry of turn 2.
Hope this information is useful to some of you.
EDIT: Added notes.
Modified by nsxtasy at 11:01 AM 4/19/2004
Gas Consumption: Approximately 10 miles per gallon on the track. I took the total miles for all the tankfuls that contained track miles, subtracted the non-track mileage (to and from the gas station and the hotel), and subtracted the number of gallons for the non-track miles assuming 24 mpg. I was left with 34.8 gallons. Because I use 205/50-15 size R compound tires, the odometer reads 1.6 percent high, so I actually drove 344.4 track miles. Do the division and it comes out to 9.9 mpg.
Oil Consumption: One quart of Mobil 1 5W30 every 200 track miles.
Tire Consumption: I was using Yokohama A032R (hard compound) 205/50-15 tires. I rotate the tires front to back, but not side to side, and I keep track of miles on each tire. I reached the cords on both left-side tires. One had been heat cycled when purchased and had 1,916 total miles including 1,360 track miles on it. The other was not heat cycled and had 1,337 total miles including 955 track miles on it. The right side tires still have rubber on them - not a lot, but some - but both have about 200 fewer total miles and 100 fewer track miles than the corresponding left-side tires that wore out.
Notes:
1. It was sunny with temperatures in the mid eighties pretty much the entire time.
2. I use the standard "rule of thumb" regarding gearing, i.e. at all times keep it in the lowest gear possible without exceeding redline. At Putnam Park, this results in third gear on almost the entire track. I drop down to second for turn 7 but have to upshift at the end of the striped curbing at trackout of that turn. I upshift to fourth on the long front straight and drop down to third approaching the entry of turn 2.
Hope this information is useful to some of you.
EDIT: Added notes.
Modified by nsxtasy at 11:01 AM 4/19/2004
Thread Starter
H-T Order of Merit
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (RGoose18)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RGoose18 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">An entire quart in 200 miles!</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's not unusual. The only thing that's unusual is that most folks don't get to drive 200 miles on the track in a track event.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RGoose18 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wonder what the oil consumption would be if the Mobil 1 were replaced w/ Amsoil 5W-30 </TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't know. However, I'm somewhat dubious about reports of less consumption with other oils - just because they're not usually compared under controlled experiments (e.g. comparing the exact same track usage with two different kinds of oil). And until I see something definitive like that, I'm more than happy to keep buying Mobil 1 for $23.xx/case (at Sam's or Costco) and adding oil when needed. (I wasn't trying to start the whole oil debate all over again; I just figured I'd report my own consumption.)
That's not unusual. The only thing that's unusual is that most folks don't get to drive 200 miles on the track in a track event.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RGoose18 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wonder what the oil consumption would be if the Mobil 1 were replaced w/ Amsoil 5W-30 </TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't know. However, I'm somewhat dubious about reports of less consumption with other oils - just because they're not usually compared under controlled experiments (e.g. comparing the exact same track usage with two different kinds of oil). And until I see something definitive like that, I'm more than happy to keep buying Mobil 1 for $23.xx/case (at Sam's or Costco) and adding oil when needed. (I wasn't trying to start the whole oil debate all over again; I just figured I'd report my own consumption.)
Thread Starter
H-T Order of Merit
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (nsxtasy)
P.S. Another instructor at the event had a bone stock Mitsubishi Evolution 8. He calculated his mileage on the track as 4.95 miles per gallon.
FSAE
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,495
Likes: 1
From: Drinking Beer, UT
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (nsxtasy)
I average 8mpg on my track days. That includes driving 2 miles to the gas station and back.
Oil...well I catch about 1/2 qt every 30 minutes in my catch can, but I dont appear to burn much.
Tires...having been through 2 days on the A032R-S's, they seem to have about 80% tread left.
Oil...well I catch about 1/2 qt every 30 minutes in my catch can, but I dont appear to burn much.
Tires...having been through 2 days on the A032R-S's, they seem to have about 80% tread left.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: Bad Newz Kennels
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (nsxtasy)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Oil Consumption: One quart of Mobil 1 5W30 every 200 track miles.</TD></TR></TABLE>
thats a lot for that distance! mobil 1 5w-30 is awfully thin, you could probably reduce oil consumpion by using a thicker oil such as bmw high performance synthetic 5w-30. it can be found for about $4/ qt. at bmw dealerships ($24 for 6qts.).
Oil Consumption: One quart of Mobil 1 5W30 every 200 track miles.</TD></TR></TABLE>
thats a lot for that distance! mobil 1 5w-30 is awfully thin, you could probably reduce oil consumpion by using a thicker oil such as bmw high performance synthetic 5w-30. it can be found for about $4/ qt. at bmw dealerships ($24 for 6qts.).
Trending Topics
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,136
Likes: 2
From: kuidaore
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (ejprimo)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ejprimo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
thats a lot for that distance!</TD></TR></TABLE>
Of track driving?
Actually on average I don't think that's alot for the 300 hard miles of 6,000 to 8,500 rpm driving he was doing with the infamous M1.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ejprimo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
mobil 1 5w-30 is awfully thin, you could probably reduce oil consumpion by using a thicker oil such as bmw high performance synthetic 5w-30. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Curious how you think that one oil at 5W30 is thinner or thicker than another at 5W30. This didn't make sense.
As contrast, I might have consumesd maybe 1/8th of a quart if any,,, but everyone already knows what I think of the magical disappearing oil and whatnot.
Thanks for the Info Ken, good stuff
That looks like an awefully fun course.
Now, we DEMAND PICS AND VIDEO!!!!!!
thats a lot for that distance!</TD></TR></TABLE>
Of track driving?
Actually on average I don't think that's alot for the 300 hard miles of 6,000 to 8,500 rpm driving he was doing with the infamous M1.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ejprimo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
mobil 1 5w-30 is awfully thin, you could probably reduce oil consumpion by using a thicker oil such as bmw high performance synthetic 5w-30. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Curious how you think that one oil at 5W30 is thinner or thicker than another at 5W30. This didn't make sense.
As contrast, I might have consumesd maybe 1/8th of a quart if any,,, but everyone already knows what I think of the magical disappearing oil and whatnot.
Thanks for the Info Ken, good stuff
That looks like an awefully fun course.
Now, we DEMAND PICS AND VIDEO!!!!!!
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,112
Likes: 0
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (nsxtasy)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Oil Consumption: One quart of Mobil 1 5W30 every 200 track miles.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
now i know you are againts anything other than 5w30.. but... consider using oil that stays thicker at high temps, which are likely to encounter while at the track. something in the lines of 10w40 20w50 15w40.. depending on your current weather.
Oil Consumption: One quart of Mobil 1 5W30 every 200 track miles.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
now i know you are againts anything other than 5w30.. but... consider using oil that stays thicker at high temps, which are likely to encounter while at the track. something in the lines of 10w40 20w50 15w40.. depending on your current weather.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,630
Likes: 1
From: Charleston, SC, USA
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (nsxtasy)
i don't know enough about the tires to comment, but the oil consumption and gas mileage sound about "average"..
FWIW, I get about 13 mpg and burn no oil.. And that was on a few hundred miles of VIR full.. I was dropping out of vtec quite a bit on the first day though, so that probably helped my mileage quite a bit..
FWIW, I get about 13 mpg and burn no oil.. And that was on a few hundred miles of VIR full.. I was dropping out of vtec quite a bit on the first day though, so that probably helped my mileage quite a bit..
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,274
Likes: 0
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (vtec.dc2)
I've calculated my track mpg anywhere from 8-12 mpg depending on the track.
As for oil - I burn the same amount of all oils I have tried on the track... DEPENDING on the temperature.
When its under 70F, I burn almost no oil.
When its 70-80 (or so), I burn about a quart for a 2 day event.
When its above 80, I burn 1 quart a day or more.
Oils used: Mobil 1 5w-30, 10w-30, and Schaffers 10w30, 15w40.
I've convinced an oil cooler will fix this issue when the outside temperature rises.
As for oil - I burn the same amount of all oils I have tried on the track... DEPENDING on the temperature.
When its under 70F, I burn almost no oil.
When its 70-80 (or so), I burn about a quart for a 2 day event.
When its above 80, I burn 1 quart a day or more.
Oils used: Mobil 1 5w-30, 10w-30, and Schaffers 10w30, 15w40.
I've convinced an oil cooler will fix this issue when the outside temperature rises.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,842
Likes: 0
From: HT PRO POKER PLAYER IM FOR FREE STARTUP, MONEY
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (vtec.dc2)
I went through 2.5 tanks of gas this weekend at Sebring. 1.5 qts of oil. 50% of brakes, tires held up well.
Fun times as always.
Fun times as always.
Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,650
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, FL
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (RealTypeR)
holy cow Marc - that is a lot of gas. I used about 1 and 1/3 tank of fuel per Chin day. Were you literally driving the whole day or had a second driver of the car? Maybe you run that rich...lol 
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,274
Likes: 0
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (vtec.dc2)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">any difference in consumption while using 15w40 vs 5w30?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I burnt more Mobil 1 than schaeffers overall - but I burnt the same amount of 15w40 and 10w30 Schaeffers - and burnt slightly less 10w30 M1 than 5w30 M1.
These were all on HOT days. In the fall last year and this spring, I burnt much less oil - as was the case last spring also.
I burnt more Mobil 1 than schaeffers overall - but I burnt the same amount of 15w40 and 10w30 Schaeffers - and burnt slightly less 10w30 M1 than 5w30 M1.
These were all on HOT days. In the fall last year and this spring, I burnt much less oil - as was the case last spring also.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,136
Likes: 2
From: kuidaore
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (vtec.dc2)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">any difference in consumption while using 15w40 vs 5w30?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes, but with relation to totally different oils and not just weight.
I run 10W60 and consume nothing to almost nothing at 50 degrees to 90 degrees outside temp. The last 3 track events I drove, I consumed nothing at all, but when I drove daily or multiple autocrosses with Mobil1 5W30 I used about 1/2 a quart to 1 full quart between changes (3k mile increments.)
This shouldn't degrade into another oil type-weight or anti-M1 post though.
The information Ken provided is great and encourages me to keep as close an eye on my same items next time I track.
Yes, but with relation to totally different oils and not just weight.
I run 10W60 and consume nothing to almost nothing at 50 degrees to 90 degrees outside temp. The last 3 track events I drove, I consumed nothing at all, but when I drove daily or multiple autocrosses with Mobil1 5W30 I used about 1/2 a quart to 1 full quart between changes (3k mile increments.)
This shouldn't degrade into another oil type-weight or anti-M1 post though.
The information Ken provided is great and encourages me to keep as close an eye on my same items next time I track.
Thread Starter
H-T Order of Merit
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (1GreyTeg)
I edited my first post in this topic to provide additional notes on topics that have been raised by others - weather (quite warm) and revs/gearing.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,274
Likes: 0
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (1GreyTeg)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Yes, but with relation to totally different oils and not just weight.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Precisely why I didn't compare those two...
Yes, but with relation to totally different oils and not just weight.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Precisely why I didn't compare those two...
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: Bad Newz Kennels
Re: Rate of Gas/Oil/Tire Usage at the Track (1GreyTeg)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Curious how you think that one oil at 5W30 is thinner or thicker than another at 5W30. This didn't make sense.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
sorry for hi-jacking your thread nsxtasy
.
well believe it or not, not all 30wt. oils are of the same viscosity. there is a range of viscosity that an oil falls into in order to be characterized as a 30wt.
sae grade 30 viscosity falls between the range of 9.3-12.49cst@100C. anything under 9.3 cst is a 20wt. and anything over 12.49cst is a 40wt.
here the viscosity of the two oil mentioned at 100C:
mobil 1 5w-30 = 10 cst
bmw hp syn. 5w-30 = 11.9 cst
thats a difference of 1.9 cst in viscosity. the reason i suggested that nsxtasy use bmw syn. 5w-30 was b/c i know he wants an synthetic motor oil in the 5w-30 grade which is comparable to M1 in price.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
infamous M1.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
well when you race with an energy conserving motor oil, you will burn some up. a guy on bitog was complaining he was burning M1 with his crown vic after doing some 1/4 passes. he didnt experience any consumption with chevron dino.
Curious how you think that one oil at 5W30 is thinner or thicker than another at 5W30. This didn't make sense.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
sorry for hi-jacking your thread nsxtasy
.well believe it or not, not all 30wt. oils are of the same viscosity. there is a range of viscosity that an oil falls into in order to be characterized as a 30wt.
sae grade 30 viscosity falls between the range of 9.3-12.49cst@100C. anything under 9.3 cst is a 20wt. and anything over 12.49cst is a 40wt.
here the viscosity of the two oil mentioned at 100C:
mobil 1 5w-30 = 10 cst
bmw hp syn. 5w-30 = 11.9 cst
thats a difference of 1.9 cst in viscosity. the reason i suggested that nsxtasy use bmw syn. 5w-30 was b/c i know he wants an synthetic motor oil in the 5w-30 grade which is comparable to M1 in price.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
infamous M1.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
well when you race with an energy conserving motor oil, you will burn some up. a guy on bitog was complaining he was burning M1 with his crown vic after doing some 1/4 passes. he didnt experience any consumption with chevron dino.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post