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Performance upgrades can significantly alter your vehicle’s service requirements. When you modify your high-performance car with aftermarket parts or tune the engine for increased power, the standard maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer may no longer be sufficient. These upgrades place additional stress on various vehicle components, necessitating more frequent and specialised servicing to maintain optimal performance and prevent premature wear or costly failures.
How Performance Upgrades Impact Your Service Schedule
Engine Modifications and Oil Change Frequency
Engine modifications such as upgraded turbos, performance chips, or fuel systems generate more power but also create additional heat and stress. This increased strain directly impacts how frequently your engine oil needs changing.
While standard vehicles might follow a 10,000-15,000 km oil change interval, performance-modified engines often require servicing every 5,000-7,500 km. The higher operating temperatures and increased pressure can cause oil to break down more quickly, reducing its lubricating properties and potentially leading to accelerated engine wear.
High-performance engines also benefit from synthetic oils with higher temperature tolerances and better protection characteristics. These specialised lubricants are designed to withstand the extreme conditions created by performance modifications but still require more frequent replacement to maintain their protective qualities. Neglecting these shorter service intervals can result in carbon build-up, reduced performance, and in severe cases, catastrophic engine failure.
Transmission Servicing for Modified Cars
Dual clutch transmissions (DCTs) and other high-performance gearboxes require particular attention after upgrades. When engine power increases, the transmission experiences greater torque loads, which can accelerate wear on clutch plates, bearings, and other internal components. Transmission fluid changes may need to occur twice as frequently as manufacturer recommendations, especially if you participate in track days or drive your vehicle aggressively.
For vehicles with upgraded clutches or performance transmission components, fluid analysis becomes an essential part of the service schedule. This analysis can detect metal particles and other contaminants that indicate potential issues before they cause transmission damage. Additionally, vehicles with DCT, DSG, SST, or PDK transmissions require specialised servicing equipment and expertise to properly maintain their complex hydraulic and electronic systems after performance modifications.
Braking System Maintenance
Performance upgrades that increase your vehicle’s speed capabilities necessitate corresponding improvements in stopping power. Upgraded brake systems with larger callipers, performance pads, and drilled or slotted rotors will have different service requirements than standard components. Performance brake pads typically wear faster, especially when used in high-performance driving scenarios, and may need replacement every 15,000-20,000 km rather than the standard 30,000-50,000 km interval.
Brake fluid flushes become more critical with performance upgrades as well. The higher operating temperatures achieved during spirited driving or track use can cause standard brake fluid to boil, resulting in brake fade and reduced stopping power. Performance vehicles should have their brake fluid replaced every 12 months or sooner if used on track, compared to the standard 24-month interval for unmodified vehicles.
Additional Service Considerations for Modified Performance Cars
Suspension and Alignment Checks
Performance-oriented suspension modifications like lowering springs, coilovers, or stiffer sway bars change your vehicle’s handling characteristics and place different stresses on suspension components. These modifications often result in accelerated wear of bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends. While standard vehicles might have these components inspected annually, modified performance cars benefit from checks every six months or 10,000 km.
More frequent wheel alignment is also necessary for modified vehicles. Performance suspension setups often have more aggressive camber, caster, and toe settings that can change more quickly with regular driving. Maintaining proper alignment is crucial not only for handling performance but also for preventing uneven tyre wear, which can be particularly costly with high-performance tyres.
Cooling System Maintenance
Engine and transmission upgrades generate additional heat that must be effectively managed by your vehicle’s cooling system. Upgraded radiators, oil coolers, and intercoolers may be part of your performance package, but even with these upgrades, the cooling system requires more frequent inspection and maintenance. Coolant should be replaced annually rather than following the standard two or three-year interval, and cooling system pressure tests should be performed more regularly to identify potential leaks or weaknesses.
Performance vehicles also benefit from radiator flushes to remove sediment and scale that can reduce cooling efficiency. These procedures might be considered optional for standard vehicles but become essential maintenance items for performance-modified cars, especially those used in high-temperature environments or driving conditions.
Fuel System Servicing
Vehicles with upgraded fuel systems, larger injectors, or modified fuel pressure regulators require special attention during servicing. Fuel filters may need more frequent replacement due to the increased fuel flow rates, and fuel injector cleaning might become a regular maintenance procedure rather than an as-needed service. Regular fuel system inspections can identify potential issues like fuel leaks or pressure inconsistencies before they lead to performance problems or dangerous situations.
Need to Service Your Performance Car in Auckland?
Maintaining a performance-modified vehicle requires specialised knowledge and equipment beyond what’s available at standard service centres. At Dodson, we understand the unique requirements of performance cars and offer tailored car servicing for performance cars, including those with aftermarket modifications. Our experienced technicians specialise in engine and transmission servicing for a wide range of high-performance and exotic cars including Lamborghinis, Audis, BMWs, Nissan GTRs, McLarens, and more.
As Auckland’s premier performance car specialists, we provide comprehensive servicing using only the highest quality oils, materials and components to ensure your modified vehicle continues to perform at its best. Contact our team today by calling 09 441 3635 to discuss your performance car’s specific servicing needs and schedule an appointment at our Wairau workshop.