[pbsinternet1le]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

leave it alone for now...I would run it "as is" with possibly high temp brake fluid.

Dot 4 for track is not optional..

[Matos1LE]

Some of the comments the OP is being given are total facepalm territory. YES, he should get the track alignment. That is NOT a "MOD," it is a basic setting which should have come on the car (were it not for the associated complications to mass production.) Running the stock alignment has given a ton of us (me included) uneven tire wear, especially on the outside edge of the tires. Over one year after the track alignment, my tires are wearing nice and even. You should do track alignment even for driving on the street. The factory alignments on these cars are very wonky.

[LESS1]

Originally Posted by pbsinternet1le

Dot 4 for track is not optional..

This is the OPs first ever track day... do you really think he will go that fast and use the brakes hard enough to boil OEM brake fluid? I seriously doubt this will be the case. After a few events and the OP starts getting faster, totally agree it's time for better brake fluid.

[LESS1]

Originally Posted by Matos1LE

Some of the comments the OP is being given are total facepalm territory. YES, he should get the track alignment. That is NOT a "MOD," it is a basic setting which should have come on the car (were it not for the associated complications to mass production.) Running the stock alignment has given a ton of us (me included) uneven tire wear, especially on the outside edge of the tires. Over one year after the track alignment, my tires are wearing nice and even. You should do track alignment even for driving on the street. The factory alignments on these cars are very wonky.

Agree. Last time I checked a pair of front GYSC3 was significantly more expensive than a Track Alignment. Saving money in the long run, plus as was previously mentioned. These factory alignments are all over the place. Mine was really bad and potentially unsafe to the point the dealer actually picked up the cost for track alignment. I track my car a lot and needless to say, I have been back to this dealer several times since buying my SS 1LE. I'm currently on my second set of tires and third set of brake pads with 5600 miles on the car including the 1500 mile track warranty break-in.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by LESS1

This is the OPs first ever track day... do you really think he will go that fast and use the brakes hard enough to boil OEM brake fluid? I seriously doubt this will be the case. After a few events and the OP starts getting faster, totally agree it's time for better brake fluid.

Brake fluid is very cheap and worth it for insurance alone. It's easy to boil it at Sebring also.

Funny that you support requiring the track alignment but are OK with leaving the factory trash fluid in there.. one is a tire wear issue for the most part and one is a safety issue.

[samr350]

Originally Posted by LESS1

This is the OPs first ever track day... do you really think he will go that fast and use the brakes hard enough to boil OEM brake fluid? I seriously doubt this will be the case. After a few events and the OP starts getting faster, totally agree it's time for better brake fluid.

Yes I think there's a very good chance he could. Also it's not hard to flush to better fluid and he'll need to do it anyways sooner or later so why not do it sooner before he hits a wall.

[pbsinternet1le]

Originally Posted by LESS1

This is the OPs first ever track day... do you really think he will go that fast and use the brakes hard enough to boil OEM brake fluid? I seriously doubt this will be the case. After a few events and the OP starts getting faster, totally agree it's time for better brake fluid.

How would you know he won't boil? Good way to trash a car.. leaving dot 3 in it.. cheap insurance..

[LESS1]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Brake fluid is very cheap and worth it for insurance alone. It's easy to boil it at Sebring also.

Funny that you support requiring the track alignment but are OK with leaving the factory trash fluid in there.. one is a tire wear issue for the most part and one is a safety issue.

I don't care what track the OP is on, first time ever on track, sorry he will be slow, with an instructor making sure everyone on track is safe, just a fact.

Concerning alignment, did you read my reasoning? Seems like you didn't so I will repeat. "Factory alignments are all over the place". Mine was really out and I'm sure this is not an isolated incident. Matter of fact mine was so far off as mentioned the dealer paid for track alignment. A proper alignment be it factory or track specs is a must for safety not just for the track but on the street as well. Honestly, I'm surprised there isn't a TSB for these alignment issues.

As for brake fluid... the factory fill works just fine in most situations. This isn't a potential safety issue until excessive heat is introduced into the braking system. Thinking a newbie first time ever on track is going to put down steller laps and need brake fluid is very optimistic at best. And I do understand the reasoning with this comment so please no need to reiterate.

OP asked about alignment and the reasons for/against and another poster mentioned "DOT 4 mandatory". Should the OP decide he "needs" high temp brake fluid then, by all means, do so.

[LESS1]

Originally Posted by pbsinternet1le

How would you know he won't boil? Good way to trash a car.. leaving dot 3 in it.. cheap insurance..

Here is how I know. Provided the event promoter isn't a cowboy organization all first-time drivers and beginners will have an instructor, especially a track like Sebring that was mentioned. Have you ever instructed? By your previous response, I gather you have not.

The last thing any instructor wants to happen is for a beginner to get in over his or her head out on track and compromise the safety of everyone. Just because a newbie arrives in a 755HP ZR1 doesn't mean the instructor is going to let this individual just haul ass around the track out of control, potentially risking safety.

Given the high limits of a SS 1LE, I do realize the OP will have the potential to go fast. However, and I've been doing this for a long time. I'd wager this will not be the case due to nerves and uncertainty of driver limits along with many more factors. This along with the fact that said instructor will coach the OP and help with car placement, checking mirrors, safe distance between cars, looking for flags as well as a proper line over outright speed. Guarantees the OP is not going to boil factory fill brake fluid.

Now if the event promoter is a cowboy operation then this is out the window. And if so I'd advise the OP to find another event and promoter, otherwise it very well could be one of these throttle jockeys with "DOT 4" brake fluid running into the OP.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by LESS1

I don't care what track the OP is on, first time ever on track, sorry he will be slow, with an instructor making sure everyone on track is safe, just a fact.

Concerning alignment, did you read my reasoning? Seems like you didn't so I will repeat. "Factory alignments are all over the place". Mine was really out and I'm sure this is not an isolated incident. Matter of fact mine was so far off as mentioned the dealer paid for track alignment. A proper alignment be it factory or track specs is a must for safety not just for the track but on the street as well. Honestly, I'm surprised there isn't a TSB for these alignment issues.

As for brake fluid... the factory fill works just fine in most situations. This isn't a potential safety issue until excessive heat is introduced into the braking system. Thinking a newbie first time ever on track is going to put down steller laps and need brake fluid is very optimistic at best. And I do understand the reasoning with this comment so please no need to reiterate.

OP asked about alignment and the reasons for/against and another poster mentioned "DOT 4 mandatory". Should the OP decide he "needs" high temp brake fluid then, by all means, do so.

Of course I read (and agree with) your reasoning. But if he's going to be going so slow than he won't overheat the trash brake fluid these cars come with then the alignment will *never* become a safety issue at his speeds.

Novices also tend to use throttle on the straights and then overbrake a LOT. Novices often run very high brake temps for that reason. They are usually cornering at 5/10ths while braking more than they need to. He will also likely be using the stability control systems that are also using the brakes to further heat the fluids.

So while I'd suggest he do the track alignment I don't see it as required. To me, the brake fluid is a required change and it's just stupid not to change it. It's very cheap insurance.

As for the track not making a difference, even for a novice, I assume you don't really believe that.. a track that uses very little brake will generate less heat and make this less of an issue than a track that chews through brakes... I don't care what skill level unless one is just cruising at 45mph and not touching the brakes anyways. I know nothing of the OPs skill level in general but I've seen novices just a few seconds off intermediate and advanced drivers pace at the end of one day. Not often, but it happens. Ending a track day because of boiled fluid is just dumb.

[Paintslinger16]

Outsider looking in, OP bought his car to be a primarily Track car, so I would recommend going all the way setting up the car to it’s best possible, with his concentration on his driving skills.
I would personally would want a baseline on the alignment, some of stories about factory alignments being off, I think I am going to check mine when winter ends.

[TheRealJA105]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Of course I read (and agree with) your reasoning. But if he's going to be going so slow than he won't overheat the trash brake fluid these cars come with then the alignment will *never* become a safety issue at his speeds.

Novices also tend to use throttle on the straights and then overbrake a LOT. Novices often run very high brake temps for that reason. They are usually cornering at 5/10ths while braking more than they need to. He will also likely be using the stability control systems that are also using the brakes to further heat the fluids.

So while I'd suggest he do the track alignment I don't see it as required. To me, the brake fluid is a required change and it's just stupid not to change it. It's very cheap insurance.

As for the track not making a difference, even for a novice, I assume you don't really believe that.. a track that uses very little brake will generate less heat and make this less of an issue than a track that chews through brakes... I don't care what skill level unless one is just cruising at 45mph and not touching the brakes anyways. I know nothing of the OPs skill level in general but I've seen novices just a few seconds off intermediate and advanced drivers pace at the end of one day. Not often, but it happens. Ending a track day because of boiled fluid is just dumb.

All of this

[kropscamaro16]

yes do it

[LESS1]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Of course I read (and agree with) your reasoning. But if he's going to be going so slow than he won't overheat the trash brake fluid these cars come with then the alignment will *never* become a safety issue at his speeds.

Novices also tend to use throttle on the straights and then overbrake a LOT. Novices often run very high brake temps for that reason. They are usually cornering at 5/10ths while braking more than they need to. He will also likely be using the stability control systems that are also using the brakes to further heat the fluids.

So while I'd suggest he do the track alignment I don't see it as required. To me, the brake fluid is a required change and it's just stupid not to change it. It's very cheap insurance.

As for the track not making a difference, even for a novice, I assume you don't really believe that.. a track that uses very little brake will generate less heat and make this less of an issue than a track that chews through brakes... I don't care what skill level unless one is just cruising at 45mph and not touching the brakes anyways. I know nothing of the OPs skill level in general but I've seen novices just a few seconds off intermediate and advanced drivers pace at the end of one day. Not often, but it happens. Ending a track day because of boiled fluid is just dumb.

Concerning alignment, I mentioned as a potential safety issue. Street or track driving on a screwed up alignment is potentially dangerous. This is especially true if you get caught in the rain or an avoidance maneuver is required to avoid a situation and your alignment is severely out of spec. This is potentially dangerous. As proof, I have heard several people mention how bad the SS and SS 1LE are in the rain. I’ve been caught in the rain three times now, once an outright deluge while on a highway traveling at the posted speed limit and never experienced these issues. I bet the majority of these folks have not had an alignment done.

Not 100% on the OPs experience with proper alignment setup or what this actually feels like. So again, I mentioned as street and track safety item. Not much you can do to correct a severely out of spec alignment blazing into turn 1 at 90MPH the first time now is there? I for one wouldn’t want to be in the passenger seat for that. And if I was you can bet the session is over until the issue has been corrected. Brake fluid, well you can always back down the speed. Again, I don’t see that being an issue here. I’d put money on the fact that the OP isn’t going to be hammering around Sebring turning mid 2:20 lap times.

As far as beginners being harder on the brakes, I get the reasoning. However, since these folks aren’t using the car anywhere near its potential the speeds generated will be lower than an experienced drive is capable of producing. Resulting heat put into the braking system will be significantly lower. Where I have seen the situation, you described most often is the newly minted “intermediate” driver. These folks are usually just fast enough to be dangerous. They haven’t figured it all out yet, but are comfortable using the car much harder in the braking zones, generally know where the apex is located and are much better on corner exit and use more of the track, thus producing much more speed on the straights. At the end of the day, the OP asked about alignments, I gave my advice and rationale. If he decides to change the brake fluid again by all means that is his choice. As far as being “stupid” this is a matter of experience and opinion and in these areas, I happen to run opposite to your belief.