What should I be doing everyday to care for my ride?

Joy2Drive

Joy2Drive

Experienced Member
Joined
30 December 2007
Messages
909
Location
Richmond Hill, ON
As a new NSX owner, after hearing the nightmare Arshad is going through, (http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107136) I am a bit paraniod as to what I don’t know/do to care for my ride on an everyday basis. After all, some of our rides are over 15-16 years old, and they deserve our regular attention. This will save money and hassle down the road.

My questions are:
1) Maintenance wise, what should we be doing more on a regular basis?
2) What kind of symptom can I look/hear for when the car is not operating normally and should be checked out or worse pull aside?
3) Regular oil change and maintenance are a given, but I am more concern and interested on what we should do more between service interval. Is there a TODO list that we should go through say every 1000km (625 miles)?
4) If we enjoy the track, what is our TODO list BEFORE and DURING the track date? I heard we are suppose to check all fluids level, leaks, tire pressure in between runs, but I just don’t know specifically what the full checklist looks like (especially for in between runs). Can some of you share this with us newbies
 
Here is what I do....
  • Check the fluids and tire pressure at every fill-up.
  • Use Mobile 1:biggrin: oil and change every 5K miles or 6 months.
  • Use Honda:biggrin: fluids (transmission, brake, coolant) and change every two years.
  • Condition the leather frequently, like every two months.
  • Put 303 Aerospace protectant on the CV boots, and all the rubber moulding around windows.
  • Use ZAINO:biggrin: Polish every 6 months.
  • Don't park it unsupervised
 
92NSX said:
So you don't take it to the movies, out to eat, grocery store, etc.?
Click to expand...

Absolutely NOT...that is what my Camry is for. I am not going to leave it out there for some idiot to run into it or vandalize it.
 
Joy2Drive said:
As a new NSX owner, after hearing the nightmare Arshad is going through, . . . .

4) If we enjoy the track, what is our TODO list BEFORE and DURING the track date? I heard we are suppose to check all fluids level, leaks, tire pressure in between runs, but I just don’t know specifically what the full checklist looks like (especially for in between runs). Can some of you share this with us newbies
Click to expand...

BEFORE RUNS:
- Fresh engine oil
- Fresh brake fluid (no longer than six months although there have been debates on this forum proposing shorter or longer intervals), preferably high-temp (use unopened cans)


BETWEEN RUNS:
Like you mention:
- Check fluids (oil and brake reservoir)
- Check tire pressure and adjust accordingly (hot pressure settings, don't bleed down to cold pressures while tires are hot)

Also:
- Check the tire tread all the way around, especially on the inside corners which can be hard to see on cursory inspection, and especially if you have negative camber or non-stock toe settings.
- Walk around the car and give visual inspection
- Take a peek at the brake pads. Street pads have been known to get used up in one track day when used very aggressively, so keep an eye on them.
- If you're using the brakes hard and the pedal has started to get soft, also a good idea to bleed the brake cylinders. Chances are, though, if you're a relative newbie this might not be needed, but again, if you had a soft pedal ensure you have a solid pedal after everything is cooled down between runs, if not bleed.
- Which reminds, me, don't come off the track on a hot lap, then park. Take a cool down lap, stay off the brakes as much as possible (being mindful if the rest of the traffic is still at full chat), and on top of that, run around the infield off the track 15-20 MPH keeping airflow over the brakes for 5 or 10 minutes to ensure the brakes cool off enough. Coming off the track way hot and parking can help boil the fluid in the cylinders. Oh, and another thing, don't set the handbrake with the rears are still hot.
- Check your attention span and concentration level :biggrin:
- Hit the restroom :biggrin::biggrin:
- Check fluids of the driver (stay hydrated, easy to forget)
 
Thanks everyone for your input. These are all great tips. I don't know about not parking the car unsupervised "ever", but I do see your point. I welcome more inputs as I don't do half the stuff that are mentioned. Is scary that I only start asking after someone had a mishap.
 
Just be smart about where you park it. Parking far away certainly helps with the door ding issue.
Park under light posts when possible.
Park in view of shops or where other people can see easily see your car. Park next to other rides that are nice, modded, or cleaned up well. This will reduce the chance of parking next to that idiot that 'just doesn't get it'. Don't park next to elderly people with Lincolns, Caddys, Buicks, etc. No offense, but often times they have walkers, canes, chairs, and other aids that can easily damage your car.

NEVER valet. If you absolutely have to valet, tell the manager that you want to keep the car up front and that YOU want to keep the keys. If they want to park themselves up front, that's fine because you are standing right there watching and waiting to get your keys from them. Throw them an extra $20 and be cool with those guys.
 
Joy2Drive said:
Thanks everyone for your input. These are all great tips. I don't know about not parking the car unsupervised "ever", but I do see your point. I welcome more inputs as I don't do half the stuff that are mentioned. Is scary that I only start asking after someone had a mishap.
Click to expand...

You can only do so much. I am a little paranoid after reading threads like these...

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92529

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?p=873922
 
basics

There are some good tips above. Be sure not to overlook the things you do everyday. For example:

I'm sure there are more. The owners manual covers most of these things. :)
 
Last edited:
Do you guys do anything to prevent tire flat spots? Anything other than (gasp!) drive the car!
 

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