Aside from driving in circles


Say you had access to the Autobahn. 100, 125, 150, 175, mph and for how long, before it's considered "tracking" and in need of additional service?

 

Tracking is auto-cross and has little to do with high speed, is that what you are asking?

 

 

If I drive at 100 mph, how long can I do it before it's considered tracking?

 

Garret answered you question. It's not speed. We are not sure what you are asking. Tracking refers to driving on a track, turning, curves etc. Not straight line.

 

That's why I said "aside from driving in circles"

 

"Tracking" refers to taking your vette "to the track" which is off public highways on a private track designed for any of several purposes. At least, that's how I meant it on my recent "Do you track your vette?" thread. Different tracks may offer different activities. For example, in my area the closest "track" is just a drag strip two lanes wide. Cars, usually, but not always, two at a time, take off when the "tree" turns green and try to get to 0-60 mph, 1/8 mile, and 1/4 mile as fast as possible. The whole thing is automated, so you do your 12 seconds on "the track" or "the strip," go back, and get your printout. Some of these can be "grudge matches" where you and the second car are racing for bragging rights.

As has been mentioned, "tracking" can also mean going to an autocross track where you "swerve around the curves" attempting, once again, to get the fastest time you can. In this case, you are really racing against yourself. Though you may pass a slower car on a track like this, you aren't actually racing each other; you're both measuring how long it takes you to get around "the track" and the number of cars on the track at any one time is limited. This is the kind of track at Spring Mountain, for example.

OR you may enter an actual race where the idea is to beat the other cars to the finish line. This is a little more rare. I have a cousin who got his "racing driving license" and actually participates in sanctioned races.

"Tracking" does not mean "driving fast" on a public road. That's called "Taking your Chances."

 

As others have said, I don't think of driving fast on the Autobahn as tracking the car. Driving on a closed track pushing the car to achieve the fastest lap time you can is hard on a car. It involves repeatedly going from wide open throttle to very hard braking to turning at high speed putting great lateral stress on the suspension and tires. This will chew up tires and brake pads and lubricants much faster than normal street driving at any speed, and requires extra maintenance. If you are cruising on the Autobahn at 150, I'd still just follow the regular maintenance schedule and oil life monitor. Note that the owner's manual recommends higher tire pressure for sustained speeds of 100 or more as a matter of tire safety, but that's about it.

 

More along the lines of the info I'm looking for. Thanks!

 

You could have stated that in your first post. More precise questions get more precise answers. Don't blame others for trying to help you when you are being obtusely vague.

 

The main thing with "tracking" is fluid temperatures. Oil, brake, differential, and transmission fluid all break down faster when subjected to high heat. Driving your car on a track can easily push engine oil temperatures up to 300 degrees. Several oils seriously oxidize and degrade much past 240 degrees even though they have flash-points north of 400. Thus, when you track your car you shorten the life of your fluids dramatically and want to change them more frequently.

So I believe you are asking if you should ever deviate from the standard service schedule based on a certain "type" of driving.
Generally speaking, shorten your oil service schedule if your oil, diff, or transmission fluid exceeds 250 degrees for more than a brief period of time, and change your brake fluid if you ever boil it. Should you exceed 300 for your oil, diff, or transmission, I would suggest changing as soon as you can.

Accordingly, if you can sustain 150 mph on the autobahn for hours at normal operating temperatures, there is zero need for accelerated service.

P.s....Take it to the track!