When Should I Consider Changing My Oil?

Fresh is always best, which is why most race teams will change oils after every event.  However these teams work off BIG budgets which isn’t always the same option available to us.

So if we’re not changing oils after each event, the answer is always, “it depends”, based on the answers to questions that we usually ask: 

• • The type of event (eg. short sprints/time attack vs 24 hour endurance race)

• • Fuel being used

• • The oil being used

• • Style of driving (short trips, long trips, multiple hot laps or single perfect lap, etc.)

• • etc.

And even when we’re done asking some preliminary questions to you, there is never a certainty that we’ll give you the “optimal” answer – ie. the answer where your oil starts to REALLY show signs of degradation and needs to be replaced immediately.  So instead, we’ll give you a “safe” answer where we know you’ll be able to run a set number of track days and return home without having engine lubrication issues.

 

So how many track days can I safely do before changing my oil?

In general, the safe answer when using a high quality Ester based synthetic oil like Motul 300V or Red Line Oil is 3-4 sprint days (ie. 20-30 laps a day, around a 2 minute track) before changing your oil.

 

But why the “safe” answer?

Not all kilometers are equal.  Every car, driver and use case is different. There is no exact “one size fits all” answer, which is why we provide a generic answer that’s “safe for all”.  

Some examples of varying factors that impact this answer include:

• • How else do you use your car?  Short trips to the shops introduces more fuel dilution compared to longer drives, which thins out oil quicker.

• • How do you drive your car on the track?  Someone who drives their car hard every single lap without cooling down is going to put a lot more heat and stress on their oil than someone who aims for the one perfect lap per session and then quickly backs off to cool everything down.

 

I’m not a “safe” type of person.  Is there another answer?  

Yes!  The safe answer isn’t the only answer, and in order to provide a data driven recommendation, we need results from an Oil Analysis Test Kit.

These tests analyse the condition of the oil and return results including:

• • What levels of wear metals are present in the oil sample?

• • What amount of fuel dilution is present in the oil?

• • What is the condition of the oil being tested?

This data then allows us to optimise oil change intervals, leading to reduced oil changes and reduced maintenance costs, along with identifying potential mechanical problems.

 

How do I use an Oil Analysis Test Kit?

This test kit provides you with everything you need to collect an oil sample for analysis. 

To use it, simply:

• • Take a sample of your oil using the test kit provided.

• • Fill in the details on the form to outline key details around your usage for future comparisons.

• • Post the sample and form back using the provided pre-paid satchel.

Once the test sample is processed at the lab, an email will be sent to you with test results and a summary of how your oil is currently performing. You can then make an informed decision on when to change your oil.  If needed, we can also help you interpret results.

 

In summary:

Don’t be fooled by the colour, smell or extra ‘ticking’ we hear our motors making to form a conclusion in our heads about what our oil is doing.  Only an oil analysis test can provide us with a good indication of when we should change our oil and is the only way to tell what is actually happening in your engine.  

But oftentimes we’re creatures of habit and grow up with set routines that work, and make us feel ‘safe’.  So if you’re not the type of person who wants to delve deep into the data but likes to track your car, change your oil often and at least after every 3-4 track days!

Photos courtesy of Brett Swain