Maintaining your Toyota Gt 86 is crucial for ensuring its longevity, performance, and overall driving pleasure. While modern cars like the GT 86 often come without printed manuals, accessing digital resources from Toyota and online communities like FT86Club provides a wealth of information. As a car repair expert at cardiagnosticnearme.com, I’m here to guide you through the essential fluid maintenance and performance upgrades for your GT 86, ensuring it remains in top condition whether you’re daily driving or hitting the track.
Engine Oil: Choosing the Right Lubricant for Your GT 86
Selecting the correct engine oil is paramount for the health and performance of your GT 86’s boxer engine. Toyota recommends specific oil grades and standards, which are detailed in the vehicle’s manual (available as a PDF download from Toyota’s website).
OE Oil Specifications and Recommendations:
For regular maintenance, sticking to the Original Equipment (OE) engine oil specifications is advisable. Toyota Genuine Motor Oil is recommended, with the preferred grade being SAE 0W-20. You can also use SAE 5W-30, but Toyota advises switching back to 0W-20 at the next oil change interval for optimal fuel efficiency and cold-start performance.
The oil should meet or exceed the following API grades:
- API SL “Energy-Conserving”
- API SM “Energy-Conserving”
- API SN “Resource-Conserving”
- ILSAC multigrade engine oil
When changing your oil, be aware of the GT 86’s oil capacity:
- Without filter change: 5.2 liters (5.5 quarts, 4.6 imp. quarts)
- With filter change: 5.4 liters (5.7 quarts, 4.8 imp. quarts)
Considering Viscosity for Different Climates and Driving Styles:
While 0W-20 is generally recommended, drivers in warmer climates or those who frequently track their GT 86 might consider using a slightly higher viscosity oil like 5W-30. A higher viscosity oil can maintain better oil pressure under high loads and temperatures experienced during spirited driving or track sessions.
Oil Change Intervals and Track Use:
For normal daily driving, following the recommended maintenance intervals at your Toyota dealership is sufficient. However, if you regularly track your GT 86, it’s prudent to shorten your oil change intervals. Track driving puts significantly more stress on the engine oil due to higher temperatures and sustained high RPMs.
Oil Cooling for Track Performance:
For serious track enthusiasts, especially those using stickier tires and experiencing high G-forces, consider adding an oil cooling solution. Options include:
- Liquid-to-oil sandwich plate: This integrates with your existing cooling system to provide additional oil cooling.
- Separate air-to-oil cooling radiator: A dedicated oil cooler with its own radiator offers more significant cooling capacity.
Addressing Oil Starvation on Track:
For GT 86s heavily used on track, particularly on high-speed circuits with long sweeping corners, oil starvation can become a concern. This is due to oil sloshing away from the oil pump pickup under high G-forces. Solutions to mitigate oil starvation include upgrading the oil pan with baffles or considering a dry-sump system for extreme track use.
Gearbox and Differential Oil: Ensuring Smooth Shifting and Optimal LSD Performance
The GT 86’s gearbox and differential also require regular fluid changes to maintain smooth operation and protect these critical components.
Gearbox Oil:
- Capacity: 2.2 liters
- Specification: API GL-3 SAE 75W-90 | Toyota Genuine MG Gear Oil special II
While GL-3 is an older standard, modern GL-4 rated gear oils are perfectly suitable and often offer improved performance.
Differential Oil (LSD Equipped Models):
- Capacity: 1.15 liters
- Specification: API GL-5 SAE 75W-85 or GL-5 SAE 75W-90 | Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT
Aftermarket Oil Upgrades:
Many GT 86 owners have reported improvements in gear shift feel, especially in cold conditions, by switching to aftermarket gear oils. Popular choices include:
- Redline MTL GL4 70W80: Known for improving cold shifting and overall gearbox feel.
- Motul Gear 300: A universal oil that meets both GL-4 and GL-5 standards, suitable for both the gearbox and differential.
Consider pairing a gear oil upgrade with a transmission brace (e.g., Perrin or Cusco) to further improve shifting feel and reduce drivetrain movement.
Fuel: Octane Rating and Ethanol Considerations for Your GT 86
The GT 86 is designed to run safely on 95 RON fuel without any performance restrictions, according to the manual. However, using a higher octane fuel like 98 RON will yield better performance and fuel economy. Therefore, it’s generally recommended to consistently use 98 RON fuel for optimal performance.
E85 Ethanol for Performance Gains:
For enthusiasts seeking increased power, E85 ethanol is a viable option. E85 has a significantly higher octane rating than gasoline, allowing for more aggressive engine tuning and increased horsepower. To run E85, you’ll need:
- E85 tune: Engine management software needs to be recalibrated to optimize for E85 fuel.
- Flex fuel kit & tune: A flex fuel kit allows the car to automatically adjust to varying ethanol content in the fuel, providing flexibility to run both gasoline and E85.
Brake Fluid and Pads: Essential Upgrades for Track Days
The GT 86’s braking system is adequate for daily driving, but for track use, upgrades to brake fluid and pads are highly recommended.
Brake Fluid:
- Specification: FMVSS No.116 fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.
The stock brake fluid is prone to overheating and boiling under track conditions, leading to brake fade and reduced braking performance. Upgrading to a high-performance brake fluid with a higher boiling point is crucial for track days.
- Recommended Upgrade: Motul RBF660 is a popular choice among track enthusiasts due to its very high boiling point. You may need approximately 2 bottles for a complete system flush, or 1 bottle for topping off.
Brake Pads:
Stock brake pads are also not designed for the extreme temperatures of track driving and will likely overheat and wear quickly. Upgrading to performance brake pads is essential.
- Recommended Upgrade (Hybrid Use): Ferodo DS2500 pads are a popular hybrid choice, offering improved performance for both daily driving and occasional track days.
- Dedicated Track Pads: For serious track use and stickier tires, dedicated track pads offer the best performance but may produce brake squeal during daily driving when they don’t reach optimal operating temperatures. Consider switching between dedicated track pads and daily driving pads for optimal performance and comfort.
Brake Bias Considerations:
When upgrading brakes, especially calipers and rotors, it’s crucial to maintain the factory brake bias. The engineers at Toyota and Subaru meticulously designed the braking system to provide optimal balance and safety. Incorrectly altering brake bias can lead to:
- Premature lock-up of one axle: Extending braking distances and potentially causing instability.
- Interference with electronic stability control systems.
- Increased risk of spinning during heavy braking.
Avoid blindly installing “big brake kits” or caliper swaps (e.g., STI/Evo/Cadillac Brembo swaps) simply for aesthetics. If considering aftermarket brake upgrades, choose reputable vendors who prioritize maintaining or optimizing brake bias. For most track day enthusiasts using stock-sized performance tires, upgrading brake pads and fluid on the stock calipers is often sufficient.
For those moving to stickier tires and potentially forced induction, a properly engineered big brake kit (BBK) from a reputable manufacturer might be a worthwhile investment.
By adhering to these maintenance guidelines and considering performance-oriented upgrades, you can ensure your GT 86 remains a reliable and exhilarating sports car for years to come, whether you’re enjoying spirited drives on the road or pushing its limits on the track.
