Oil Usage & Break-In

[WillyDaP]

I have noticed on some of the other Forums that folks are commenting on oil usage , but it seems to be mainly directed at the boys with the Flat Motors. Our Macan's oil level has not changed one bit in over 4,000 miles and I expected a little bit of usage. The S has been a big surprise, because we did not buy it for fuel economy our combined fuel average is often higher than what is reported as the Hwy figure. We drive normal with an occasional hammer on the loud pedal to blow by Bimmers and Audis, but it has been a pleasant surprise. Is this fairly common within the Macan community?

[blueline]

I have noticed on some of the other Forums that folks are commenting on oil usage , but it seems to be mainly directed at the boys with the Flat Motors. Our Macan's oil level has not changed one bit in over 4,000 miles and I expected a little bit of usage. The S has been a big surprise, because we did not buy it for fuel economy our combined fuel average is often higher than what is reported as the Hwy figure. We drive normal with an occasional hammer on the loud pedal to blow by Bimmers and Audis, but it has been a pleasant surprise. Is this fairly common within the Macan community?

None here of any significance. The Cayenne Turbo had a bit of usage when new as well as the GT4 when it was new, but next to zero since. None in the TTS. Of course, I service all regularly and the GT4 has frequent oil/filter changes due to track hours but even then, the digital dipstick has shown no usage since break-in. (And that was minuscule.)

[WillyDaP]

Appreciate the info and you might consider posting how often you change the oil ( fluids ) on your GT4 as I am counseling some guys that they should be changing their fluid much more frequently due to their track usage. Even though I have been tracking cars for 42 years, since it has not been in a Porsche I do get quizzical looks with what I consider appropriate . Coming from a track addict who is in a Porsche, a little note on fluid changes for those who hammer the asphalt often for Time Trials, DEs, and even racing , would be a good post or a new thread for experienced drivers to suggest for newcomers. Brake fluid, in my estimation, is something that should be changed very frequently, and if one runs places like Road America, I would tell folks to always arrive there with a fresh change of DOT 4!

[blueline]

Appreciate the info and you might consider posting how often you change the oil ( fluids ) on your GT4 as I am counseling some guys that they should be changing their fluid much more frequently due to their track usage. Even though I have been tracking cars for 42 years, since it has not been in a Porsche I do get quizzical looks with what I consider appropriate . Coming from a track addict who is in a Porsche, a little note on fluid changes for those who hammer the asphalt often for Time Trials, DEs, and even racing , would be a good post or a new thread for experienced drivers to suggest for newcomers. Brake fluid, in my estimation, is something that should be changed very frequently, and if one runs places like Road America, I would tell folks to always arrive there with a fresh change of DOT 4!

Absolutely Bill -

First of all, I broke in the GT4 by the book. Porsche refers to it as "Running in the Vehicle" on p14 of the owners manual. (Don't do a pdf search for break in 'cause that terminology does not exist in Porscheville lingo.)

It says the following: "The moving parts of a new vehicle must be run in. The parts require the first 2,000 miles (3,000 km) for this purpose. The oil and fuel consumption may be somewhat higher than normal during this period. During the running-in period, drive as follows:" (This preamble is followed by six or so bullet point do's and don'ts.)

Now moving on to your request:

• April '21 @ 2,257 miles and after first track excursion: oil/filter and complete brake flush, using Motul RBF 660 in place of factory brake fluid. (Complete flush takes about 3-pints, errr actually 1,500 ml - three 500ml containers. No "pints" anymore. )

• Nov '21 @ 5,800 miles: oil/filter and brake bleed & partial flush/refill (1,000 ml).

• May '22 @6,277 miles: brake bleed & partial flush/refill (1,000 ml).

• Dec '22 @ 9,482 miles: oil/filter and brake bleed & partial flush/refill (1,000 ml.)

• May '23 @ 11,615 miles: brake bleed & partial flush/refill (1000 ml)

• Now @ 12,150 miles: brake bleed & partial flush/refill (500ml) (may also do oil/filter).

By the way, my total track miles to date on the GT4 are 2,705. (Yes, I keep accurate logs! )

[WillyDaP]

Well, could you be more specific, ha! Thanks, I actually do my brakes even more frequently than you ( Motul 600 ), but more of a bleed than a full flush. I think your notes will be beneficial to folks who are tracking their Porsches since so many change their fluids only yearly , regardless. Thanks for posting, but the one item I did not notice whether you did it or not, but have you changed your transmission fluid also?

[blueline]

Well, could you be more specific, ha! Thanks, I actually do my brakes even more frequently than you ( Motul 600 ), but more of a bleed than a full flush. I think your notes will be beneficial to folks who are tracking their Porsches since so many change their fluids only yearly , regardless. Thanks for posting, but the one item I did not notice whether you did it or not, but have you changed your transmission fluid also?

That was the primary thing on my handwritten list that I totally forgot to add to my post! Thank you for the reminder!!

Most definitely YES! Porsche calls for trans fluid changes at 120k or 12-years. Good grief, that's way too long in my opinion even if not tracking the car. And they say nothing about the diff gear box oil. Even in the separate booklet I rec w/the GT4 "Driving on the Circuit", nothing is mentioned about the PDK or the diff.

I did a complete trans svc Dec 2022 @ 9,482 miles that included both trans fluid and diff gear box oil. I think that is probably a bit of overkill but then again I feel that you can't do transmissions/diff services too often. They take a LOT of abuse no matter how well designed and well-built they are.


By the way, the "Driving on the Circuit" manual book does say to change the oil more frequently if driving on track but the interval and the book's entry are an absolute hoot! (Or scary, depending on one's POV!) Screenshot from the manual regarding oil/filter:

GT4 'Race Circuit Driving' engine oil screenshot 2023-08-12.png (70.01 KiB) Viewed 909 times

Using 2½ Nürburgring 24-hour drives to approximate when to change oil/filter is absolutely HILARIOUS!!!

[WillyDaP]

Crap, 2 1/2 Nurburgring 24 hour drives to an oil change ...................that takes optimism to new heights. I imagine I would want to change it every 1000 track miles since that will likely happen after about 4 full weekends. I have been in a habit of changing after every two race weekends for a very long, long time. With the difficulty changing the fluid in a Cayman I may try and extend it a bit, especially since friends are telling me they are still going bit longer that. Interesting data, my friend, and that gives me a baseline.

Totally agree about the driveline and rear diff, because back racing Spec Miatas in the early years guys were blowing up their rear diffs right and left and we never had an issue ( son and I both racing together ). We were changing the rear diff fluid after two or three race weekends because though the cars have no torque, the side motion stress from the sticky gumballs were hard on the rear ends. We would ask guys who blew up their rear ends when they changed the diff fluid and the common answer was every 1 to 2 years. When blowing one of two diffs a year became common for some top runners a little light went off and there was change in the air, ha.

[blueline]

Crap, 2 1/2 Nurburgring 24 hour drives to an oil change ...................that takes optimism to new heights. I imagine I would want to change it every 1000 track miles since that will likely happen after about 4 full weekends. I have been in a habit of changing after every two race weekends for a very long, long time. With the difficulty changing the fluid in a Cayman I may try and extend it a bit, especially since friends are telling me they are still going bit longer that. Interesting data, my friend, and that gives me a baseline.

Totally agree about the driveline and rear diff, because back racing Spec Miatas in the early years guys were blowing up their rear diffs right and left and we never had an issue ( son and I both racing together ). We were changing the rear diff fluid after two or three race weekends because though the cars have no torque, the side motion stress from the sticky gumballs were hard on the rear ends. We would ask guys who blew up their rear ends when they changed the diff fluid and the common answer was every 1 to 2 years. When blowing one of two diffs a year became common for some top runners a little light went off and there was change in the air, ha.

Yep on the trans and the diffs. With the Z06 racecar, I changed both quite often.

As for the oil/filter, yes, you can extend that on the Porsche from what you have been used to in the past, considerably longer if you want. 1,000 to 1,500 miles will be fine, longer if you want. You'll be able to gauge it after a season.

[blueline]

I just realized how off topic this got from "Oil Usage on the Macan Six".

Since there is no mention of Macons that I saw, how about I rename it to just "Oil Usage" or something similar and move it to the "Racing" sub? It will probably get more traction, views and comments there.

[WillyDaP]

Fine , by me, especially since our Macan has not used a single drop and it was just an open question because I have noticed some usage concern with a few other Porsche models. I think changing the title would be beneficial to all, and to be candid it seems most usage is during the break in phase anyway.