Driver's Education PreparationBy Dean Lewellenreprinted from Going Places, official newsletter of the Arizona Region PCA The Driver's Education program run by the Arizona Region PCA has blossomed and grown into one of the club's most favored events for members to partake. The experienced and helpful group of instructors and every member who participates are dedicated and passionate about this program. The Driver's Ed program purpose is to provide owners the opportunity to experience and learn the capabilities of our great cars, learn and improve their capabilities as drivers of these wonderful cards, and do all of these things in a controlled, safe environment. Wow, what a deal! If you are planning on attending an Arizona Region Driver's Education session during the season, now is a good time to get some basic maintenence items taken care of that will maximize and influence the enjoyment of your track time. The following items should be considered by an owner when preparing his/her Porsche for a day at the track:Replace the following items noting the caveats: -FAN AND AIR CONDITIONING BELTS: These belts should be replaced every four years (five years maximum for low mileage cars). It is a good plan to carry spare belts in the trunk. -FUEL FILTER: Replace annually. A marginal filter may not provide adequate fuel flow for long duration, full-throttle operation on the track. Prior to the filter change, it is a good idea to run a bottle of Techron through the tank to clean up deposits left by gasolines with the MTBE additive. Techron Fuel System Cleaner by Chevron is a Porsche approved product which cleans up intake runner and valve areas of the engine. -OIL AND FILTER/S: 15W-50 Synthetics or 20W-50 Fossils are good choices for hot lap running at Firebird. Normal operating temperature should be reached prior to full-throttle operations. Porsche 914 and 944/968 owners should consider running with an extra half quart in the sump to assure oil pump inlet coverage in corners. -MANUAL TRANSMISSION GEARBOX OIL: Replace annually with owner's manual recommended viscosity/grade oil. -ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT: Replace every three years. A 50/50 mix of a good phosphate-free coolant and distilled water will provide maximum cooling for your water-cooled Porsche. -SPARK PLUGS: Refer to your owner's manual for the spark plug replacement interval for your Porsche model. Low mileage cars should have new plugs every four years to assure the safe extraction of the old plugs. Boxster, 996 and 997 owners may increase this time interval even longer. -BRAKE FLUID: Replace every two years with at least a DOT 4 specification fluid. Bleed all caliper ports prior to Driver's Ed day, and again within the week after a DE to minimize air bubbles and moisture absorption. Check the following items noting the caveats: (The term "Check" means a visual inspection of an item, verification of the working condition of an item, and where applicable, checking torque values of bolts/nuts.) -AIR FILTER: Check for cleanliness of the filter surface and plenum. If you're running a K&N filter element, please make certain that the filter medium is clean, and, please, please, make certain that the filter medium is not over oiled. An excessively oiled K&N filter medium may cause fouling of the mass air flow sensor located downstream. -BALL JOINTS/TIE ROD ENDS: Check for looseness in joints and cracks in the rubber dust cups. -BATTERY: Check battery clamp bolt/s for tightness and integrity of clamping.. Do not overfill cells as high cornering/braking forces can cause spillage. A "Battery-Mat" placed under the battery is good insurance against damage from spilled electrolyte. -BRAKE HOSES/CALIPERS: Check for cracks in hoses and leaks in calipers and hoses. -BRAKE PADS: Check pad depth. Minimum thickness for Driver's Ed start is 0.125 inch (3mm). Minimum service thickness for brake pads is 0.08 inch (2mm). Do not run a Driver's Ed with new pads as new pads will require approximately 300 miles ofbreak-in before maximum braking performance can be developed. -CV JOINTS: Check for clicking sound with car moving slowly and visually check for cracks in rubber boots at both ends of the drive shaft. -DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR: Check cap for cracks and carbon tracking on the inside. Check for metal pitting on rotor and point set, if applicable. -LIGHTS: As a minimum, stop lights, head light flasher and emergency flashers must work for Driver's Ed day at the track. Of course, all lights must be operational for daily driving safety. -OIL HOSES, LINES AND RETURN TUBES: Check all oil system components for cracks and leaks. Move rubber hoses around to see if cracks are starting. -RADIATOR HOSES: Check for flexibility and cracking. Check clamps for leaks and tightness. It's good insurance to replace hoses every four years, just like belts. They are expendable and are generally time limited instead of mileage limited items. -SEAT MOUNTINGS: Check for looseness of seats in seat tracks and seat track to floor pan joints. -STRUTS/SHOCKS/SWAY BARS: Check tightness of all mounting hardware and check for leaks/wetness in the area. -TIRES: Check for minimum tread depth and cracks in sidewalls, inside and outside. Do not run at a Driver's Ed day with new tires as new tires will require 300 to 500 miles of running before maximum road holding forces can be developed. Tire pressures used at the track can vary as much as owners' choices in toothbrushes (it is a highly personal preference). A good starting point for street tires, however, is a "cold" reading 2 to 4 psi over the recommendation in the owner's manual or on the door post decal in your car. -WHEEL BEARINGS: Check for looseness by pushing/pulling on the front wheels near the top of each tire. -WHEEL LUG NUTS/BOLTS: Check owner's manual for proper torque values and secure the wheel nuts/bolts with a certified torque wrench. -WINDSHIELD WIPERS: These usually are not required for a Driver's Ed outing in Arizona, but it is a good time to check for dry or cracked blade rubber, and check the system action for full motion across the windshield. Other needs include an approved helmet, and an optional fire extinguisher in the cockpit. A halon extinguisher is expensive, but preferred because it leaves no residue on very expensive Porsche aluminum engine pieces and accessories. Approved rollbars are required in Cabriolets. Your car's stock seats and three-way seat belts are fine for Driver's Ed day, but as skills grow, some owners will consider a special racing seat and harness setup to stay better connected with their cars. There are many combinations available in several price ranges. For current PCA recommended specifications for these items, check the PCA website under the Club Racing link. Completion of the above "replace" and "check" items will assure the owner that your Porsche is track worthy and prepared to provide a capable ride for a memorable Driver's Education day. Drive well!
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