tx targa

Doing my first DE in my new-to-me 997 in two weeks. Oil has less than 5,000 miles on it but it was last changed in Aug 08 about 15 months ago.

I've put 4 quarts in since I purchased in April over 3,400 miles. So do I get in clean & fresh before running it hard or after? I have to go in before for a brake flush anyway...

OldGuy

After
then you always know at your next DE you are already prepared.
Another plus is you will have clean oil for running around in town
and it will still be nice clean oil for the DE.
If you changed it BEFORE the DE would degrade the oil and you would
be driving around town on degraded oil

Bob Rouleau

I disagree with Paul on this one. Change oil before since on the track you will be using a lot higher revs and power than you do on the street. Your oil will work harder - like your engine - on the track.

Most guys who track change their oil at 5,000 miles or less. Don't forget new transmission fluid as well, it also works hard on the track.

Brake fluid should be no older than 6 months - that is a rule in most PCA regions and it is a good one.

Best,

CarGuy21

Based upon the fact that the oil was changed 15 months ago, I would change it now and after the DE. What really concerns me is that you've added 4 quarts in 3400 miles. I drive an '01 Audi A6 2.7T that is modified to Stage III+ and it uses no oil at all between changes and forced induced engines are notorius for using oil. I change the oil every 5K miles religiously.

mdrums

15 month old oil...I would cahnge it and go do your DE. For your 1st DE you will get to run the car hardered than normal on the street but nothing to wear out the oil.

Carrera Mike

Your oil is too old for my book, so I recommend "change" before DE. You need to protect your engine in that high performance driving event.

mobonic

I change my oil 3-5 time per year with 10k miles per year.

I change my transmission fluid every 5 track events.

OldGuy

Bob
I thought he was going to change it at every DE. I have heard of guys doing that. If not then yea your idea is just as good as mine.

ford_jj

Before or after? Everyone have their own point.

RonCT

Before reading any replies I thought "After a DE is before the next, which is after the previous..." Circular. But, based on 5k and 15 months, I'd change it before and then 1x a year depending on mileage. Here in CT, my Porsches are on the road early April to mid November and are run about 6500-7500 miles, so every spring I get things ready with an oil change, SRF fluid change, front Rotor change (rears every other year), etc.

fpb111

If you there is any question about the oil don’t dither just change it.

russo

To me this is a no-brainer, change the oil before the DE, the car is going to be driven under heavier loads and thus you want the oil at its best. If you are going to be attending DE's on a regular basis I would change the oil every 5-6 DE's.

tx targa

Thanks guys. Sounds like the consensus is change it before it gets the harder work out of a DE. I will be getting a brake flush as well per PCA rules. Tires and brakes are good. Hadn't thought about transmission fluid. I assume it is the original with 14,000 on it, will look into that.

I was worried about oil consumption too, my service advisor says Porsche considers it "normal" consumption up to a quart every 600 miles. I'm sure there will be may differing opinions on this. I drive mostly short trips in the city which is awful I know. That's why I go on longer drives sometimes at night to get it up to operating temperature and go through the tedious oil checking procedure. Sure do miss the dipstick.

mkk62

haven't heard much about tranny fluid changes? anyone else change theirs often like mobonic?
mk

CMOS

While we are on the subject, can somone post a link to the DIY for the oil change?
Thx!