Change oil before/after/both track day?
 

Hey guys,

Just bought my FR-S on Tuesday and I have my first track day at Lime Rock Park next Saturday (March 30th). I'm endlessly driving around to get as close as possible to 1000 miles to complete as much of the break-in as possible (not starting that debate here). I've had the car 4 days and put 300 miles on it, plus its 150 miles to the track, so I'm probably looking at 600-700 miles on the car when I get there. My question is, should I look at possibly changing the oil before the event, after the event, or even both, to avoid possible metal shavings from the new engine affecting the engine?

According to the service manual, the first oil change would normally be at 7500 miles, so there isn't a special one that Toyota/Subaru recommends right after break-in. With that being said, Toyota/Subaru isn't accounting for track days either and obviously with the car being newer and being subjected to a track day so soon, should I be concerned about anything or should I go with an oil change just to be safe? Oil is obviously cheap so its not a question of money or time, just more is it really necessary or considered good practice? Just looking for the opinions of the seasoned track guys here who have more experience with the maintenance of track cars. I am planning on getting an auto-x in about a week after the track day and another track day about a month after that. Past that, my track days will be a bit limited but I'll try as much as possible to get one in when I can.

Thanks!:burnrubber:

I got rid of factory fill and put in my own fluids before i tracked mine, but its important to leave the factory fill in long enough to get all that vigin stuff out, most 1st uoa's show metal and Im not sure I wanna track it with the break in metals floatin around...

If this were my FR-S...

I would change oil both before and after the track. The change before the track would be to clear out any metal and other break-in contaminants. I like 0W-30 for track use. Autocrosses tend to be so short so the engine does not heat-soak, so 0W-30 is not needed.

After the first track event, I would put in my favorite premium synthetic 0W-20 oil. If I was still really worried about break-in, I'd use the original equipment oil until the second track event.

OW-30 would go back in for the second track event. This could be left in all summer if another track event was on the horizon. I like to change before any track event. I usually don't change after an event, but being that this car is still so new it couldn't hurt and the extra expense would seem worth it for the first of the events you have planned.

We ran the factory fill on our 2nd engine for 3000 miles, including 3 track days, with no ill effects. Take it for what you will.

What happened to the first engine?! Also, its my understanding that the factory fill is Mobil 1...?

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I ran on oil that I have to change in less than 500 miles full synthetic with no issues at willow springs and still have the same oil in on the trip back to 29 palms today still no issues so I dont think you have to go to extremes but thats my 2 cents

Depends on what you want. There really is not solid proof and there is different theories on breaking in. This guy tracked his frs and was drifting everywhere the 3rd day after he bought it. When I was in his car he had 270mi